SFA’s Johnson Named Southland Conference Player of the Year
Southland Conference
FRISCO, Texas – After having a five-win improvement from the year before and reaching the Division I Football Championship playoffs for the first time since 2010, Stephen F. Austin was awarded with three individual superlative awards and three first-team All-Southland Conference selections, the league office announced Tuesday.
Stephen F. Austin senior running back Gus Johnson took home the league’s top honor as he was named the player the year while sophomore quarterback Zach Conque was tabbed the newcomer of the year for the Lumberjacks. First-year head coach Clint Conque was named the conference’s coach of the year after leading the Lumberjacks to an 8-4 overall mark.
After sharing the 2014 Southland Conference championship, Southeastern Louisiana and Sam Houston State dominated the all-conference teams, claiming 20 of the 58 spots on the two teams. The Lions landed five players on the first team, including senior quarterback Bryan Bennett, the league’s offensive player of the year. The Bearkats placed a league-high six players on the first team with defensive end P.J. Hall, the freshman of the year, leading the way.
Central Arkansas claimed the remaining two individual awards with left tackle Cole Caruthers being named the offensive lineman of the year and defensive end Jonathan Woodard earning the league’s defensive player of the year honors.
Johnson, a finalist of the Walter Payton Award, is the first SFA player to earn player of the year since Jeremy Moses did so in 2010, the same season he won the Walter Payton Award. This season, the senior from Gilmer, Texas, has rushed for 1,601 yards, which is the most in SFA history and third most in Southland history. Johnson is only the second player in conference history to rush more than 1,600 yards as former Sam Houston State running back Timothy Flanders did it twice. Johnson ranks first in the nation in touchdowns (22), third in yards per carry (6.8) and scoring (11.0), fourth in yards (1,601) and seventh in rushing yards per game (133.4). Johnson has 21 career 100-yard rushing games, nine of which coming in 2014, and four 200-yard rushing performances, with two coming this season. For his career, Johnson has 3,825 rushing yards, which is first in SFA history and fifth in the Southland. Johnson holds six SFA school single-season of career rushing records.
Zach Conque, a transfer from Texas-San Antonio, has accounted for 3,285 yards of total offense in his first season as a quarterback in the Southland. Conque has thrown for 2,650 yards on 234 of 359 passing, rushed for 628 yards on 146 attempts and has caught one pass for seven yards. He has also scored 29 touchdowns (15 passing, 13 rushing, 1 receiving). Conque ranks 13th nationally with a 65.2 completion percentage, 14th in points responsible for (174), 18th in total offense and rushing touchdowns and 19th in passing yards. In his first year at SFA, Conque is already the school’s all-time leading rusher as a quarterback.
Clint Conque took over a program that was 3-9 overall and 1-6 in conference last season and took them to an 8-4 overall record and 5-3 in league play in 2014. Conque led the Lumberjacks to a pair of wins over top-10 teams and earned a spot in the FCS postseason, the school’s seventh all-time appearance. SFA posted a 3-1 record on the road after going winless away from home since 2011. SFA also cracked the top 25 twice this season for the first time since 2011.
Bennett, a dual-threat quarterback and finalist for the Walter Payton Award, was named the league’s offensive player of the year after being named the player of the year in 2013. The senior from Granada Hills, Calif., has thrown for 37 touchdowns and rushed for 29 more in his two seasons in Hammond, leading the Lions to a 20-6 record, including a 15-1 mark in conference play. Bennett, who has led Southeastern to two consecutive league titles, has not dropped a conference game as a starter. This season, Bennett has rushed for 13 touchdowns after setting the school record of 16 in 2013. Bennett has rushed for 665 yards on 121 carries this season while throwing for 2,176 yards and 18 scores on 126 of 241 passing. In just two season, he has set the Southeastern record for touchdowns accounted for with 68.
Hall, a redshirt-freshman from Seguin, Texas, is the only freshman in the top 30 in the FCS for tackles for a loss with 20. The Jerry Rice Award finalist for the top freshman in FCS, is a three-time conference defensive player of the week. His 20 tackles for loss is the fourth-highest season total in school history. Hall has also had eight sacks, three blocked field goals, one interception, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles on the season.
Woodard is a three-time all-conference selection and was named the league’s defensive player of the year after leading the Southland in sacks (10.0) and tackles for loss (18.5). The junior from Brentwood, Tenn., is second in UCA history with 25 career sacks. Woodard, who ranks 20th in the nation in sacks and 18th in tackles for a loss, leads a UCA defense that is fourth in the country in tackles for loss. Woodard also has 56 total tackles, an interception and a pass breakup on the season.
Carruthers is a three-time all-conference selection and has started every game for the Bears for the past two seasons. The senior from Sugar Land, Texas, played a majority of the season with a hand injury but still helped a Bear’s offense that averaged 441 yards and 41.5 points per game in 2014.
All 11 Southland schools were represented on the all-conference teams. Southeastern Louisiana led all teams with 11 players on the all-conference teams followed by Sam Houston State with nine and Northwestern State with eight. McNeese placed seven players while Abilene Christian had six and Central Arkansas and Lamar each had five. Stephen F. Austin had three players on the all-conference teams. Houston Baptist had two all-conference picks in its first season of football and UIW and Nicholls each had one honoree.
There are 14 student-athletes who have been named to the all-conference teams previously, highlighted by Johnson, Caruthers and Woodard, all of whom are three-time honorees. Two-time selections include Bennett, Dezmin Lewis (UCA), Antoine Everett (McNeese), Donald Jackson (Sam Houston), Isiah Corbet (Southeastern La.), Aaron Sam (McNeese), Michael Wade (Sam Houston), Harlan Miller (Southeastern La.), Reggie Begelton (Lamar), Xavier Roberson (Southeastern La.) and Bo Brown (McNeese). A total of 66 student-athletes earned honorable mention all-conference honors. To receive honorable mention, a player must receive votes from at least 25 percent of all voters.
The all-conference teams are comprised of 29 first-team and second-team members. Each coach nominates players from his own team. The teams are selected by vote of the league’s head coaches and sports information directors, who cannot vote for their own players.
2014 Southland Conference Individual Superlative Winners
Player of the Year: Gus Johnson, Stephen F. Austin (RB)
Offensive Player of the Year: Bryan Bennett, Southeastern Louisiana (QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Jonathan Woodard, Central Arkansas (DE)
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Cole Carruthers, Central Arkansas (LT)
Freshman of the Year: P.J. Hall, Sam Houston State (DE)
Newcomer of the Year: Zach Conque, Stephen F. Austin (QB)
Coach of the Year: Clint Conque, Stephen F. Austin
2014 All-Southland Conference Football Teams
|
First-Team Offense |
|
Pos. |
Name |
University |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
|
QB |
Bryan Bennett2 |
Southeastern La. |
6-3 |
215 |
Sr. |
Granada Hills, Calif. |
|
RB |
Gus Johnson3 |
Stephen F. Austin |
5-10 |
224 |
Sr. |
Gilmer, Texas |
|
RB |
Keshawn Hill |
Sam Houston State |
5-10 |
200 |
Sr. |
Klein, Texas |
|
TE/HB |
Noah Cheshier |
Abilene Christian |
6-3 |
240 |
Sr. |
Farmersville, Texas |
|
WR |
Dezmin Lewis2 |
Central Arkansas |
6-4 |
212 |
Sr. |
Mesquite, Texas |
|
WR |
Mark Roberts |
Lamar |
6-3 |
190 |
Sr. |
Orange, Texas |
|
WR |
Ed Eagan |
Northwestern State |
5-10 |
181 |
Jr. |
New Orleans, La. |
|
OL |
Cole Caruthers3 |
Central Arkansas |
6-4 |
292 |
Sr. |
Sugar Land, Texas |
|
OL |
Antoine Everett2 |
McNeese State |
6-3 |
325 |
Sr. |
Richmond, Texas |
|
OL |
Donald Jackson III2 |
Sam Houston State |
6-2 |
277 |
Jr. |
Kilgore, Texas |
|
OL |
Jonathan Braddock |
Southeastern La. |
6-4 |
285 |
Sr. |
Ripley, Miss. |
|
OL |
Byron Williams |
Stephen F. Austin |
6-4 |
302 |
Jr. |
Dickinson, Texas |
|
AP |
Ed Eagan |
Northwestern State |
5-10 |
181 |
Jr. |
New Orleans, La. |
|
PK |
Ryan Adams |
Southeastern La. |
6-2 |
205 |
Sr. |
Dayton, Ohio |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First-Team Defense |
|
Pos. |
Name |
University |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
|
DL |
P.J. Hall |
Sam Houston State |
6-1 |
270 |
Fr. |
Seguin, Texas |
|
DL |
Jonathan Woodard3 |
Central Arkansas |
6-6 |
271 |
Jr. |
Brentwood, Tenn. |
|
DL |
Kevin Dorn |
McNeese State |
5-10 |
263 |
Sr. |
Pineville, La. |
|
DL |
Nick Richardson |
Abilene Christian |
6-1 |
240 |
Sr. |
Waco, Texas |
|
LB |
Isiah Corbett2 |
Southeastern La. |
6-3 |
250 |
Sr. |
Belle Glade, Fla. |
|
LB |
Collin Garrett |
Stephen F. Austin |
6-2 |
214 |
Sr. |
Beaumont, Texas |
|
LB |
Marion Chapman |
Northwestern State |
5-10 |
205 |
Sr. |
Waynesboro, Miss. |
|
DB |
Imoan Claiborne |
Northwestern State |
5-11 |
187 |
Sr. |
Alexandria, La. |
|
DB |
Aaron Sam2 |
McNeese State |
5-9 |
182 |
Sr. |
Lake Charles, La. |
|
DB |
Trenier Orr |
Sam Houston State |
5-11 |
180 |
Jr. |
Orlando, Fla. |
|
DB |
Michael Wade2 |
Sam Houston State |
5-11 |
195 |
Sr. |
Arp, Texas |
|
DB |
Harlan Miller2 |
Southeastern La. |
6-1 |
180 |
Jr. |
Kentwood, La. |
|
P |
Lachlan Edwards |
Sam Houston State |
6-5 |
214 |
Jr. |
Victoria, Australia |
|
KR |
Jatavious Wilson |
Central Arkansas |
5-9 |
171 |
So. |
Bastrop, La. |
|
PR |
Ed Eagan |
Northwestern State |
5-10 |
181 |
Jr. |
New Orleans, La. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second-Team Offense |
|
Pos. |
Name |
University |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
|
QB |
Caleb Berry |
Lamar |
6-2 |
205 |
Sr. |
Needville, Texas |
|
RB |
De’Andre Brown |
Abilene Christian |
5-9 |
190 |
Fr. |
Lewisville, Texas |
|
RB |
Michael Henry |
Nicholls |
6-2 |
225 |
Jr. |
Baton Rouge, La. |
|
TE/HB |
Kenneth Bibbins |
Houston Baptist |
6-5 |
242 |
Sr. |
Sugar Land, Texas |
|
WR |
Devante Scott |
Southeastern La. |
5-11 |
195 |
Sr. |
Ferriday, La. |
|
WR |
Reggie Begelton2 |
Lamar |
6-2 |
200 |
Jr. |
Beaumont, Texas |
|
WR |
Cedric Gilbert |
Abilene Christian |
6-2 |
215 |
Jr. |
Lancaster, Texas |
|
OL |
Pace Murphy |
Northwestern State |
6-6 |
279 |
Jr. |
Houston, Texas |
|
OL |
Quentin Marsh |
McNeese State |
6-3 |
310 |
Jr. |
Dickinson, Texas |
|
OL |
CJ Simon |
Central Arkansas |
6-3 |
296 |
Sr. |
Kingwood, Texas |
|
OL |
Codey Funk |
Abilene Christian |
6-5 |
320 |
So. |
Gridley, Ill. |
|
OL |
Brandon DeWitt |
Sam Houston State |
6-3 |
277 |
So. |
Lawton, Okla. |
|
AP |
Xavier Roberson2 |
Southeastern La. |
5-9 |
180 |
Jr. |
Atlanta, Ga. |
|
PK |
Luc Swimberghe |
Sam Houston State |
6-0 |
197 |
So. |
Tyler, Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second-Team Defense |
|
Pos. |
Name |
University |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
|
DL |
Jacob Newman |
Southeastern La. |
6-2 |
275 |
Sr. |
Visalia, Calif. |
|
DL |
Leroy Armstrong |
Northwestern State |
6-1 |
242 |
Jr. |
Natchitoches, La. |
|
DL |
Corey Lee |
UIW |
6-0 |
285 |
So. |
Humble, Texas |
|
DL |
Omar Tebo |
Lamar |
6-0 |
315 |
So. |
Liberty, Texas |
|
LB |
Wallace Scott |
McNeese State |
6-1 |
211 |
Jr. |
Weyanoke, La. |
|
LB |
Bo Brown2 |
McNeese State |
6-1 |
232 |
Jr. |
Katy, Texas |
|
LB |
Myke Chatman |
Sam Houston State |
6-2 |
216 |
So. |
Sealy, Texas |
|
DB |
Denzel Thompson |
Southeastern La. |
6-3 |
200 |
Jr. |
Tampa, Fla. |
|
DB |
Tyler Stoddard |
Southeastern La. |
6-2 |
210 |
Sr. |
Westlake, La. |
|
DB |
Brent Spikes |
McNeese State |
6-1 |
196 |
Jr. |
Newton, Texas |
|
DB |
Adam Jones |
Northwestern State |
6-2 |
196 |
So. |
Katy, Texas |
|
DB |
Xavier Bethany |
Lamar |
6-1 |
195 |
So. |
Burton, Texas |
|
P |
Christian Guzman |
Houston Baptist |
5-9 |
160 |
Fr. |
Brookshire, Texas |
|
KR |
Xavier Roberson2 |
Southeastern La. |
5-9 |
180 |
Jr. |
Atlanta, Ga. |
|
PR |
Jonathan Epps |
Abilene Christian |
5-10 |
165 |
Jr. |
Fort Worth, Texas |
2 indicates two-time all-conference selection;
3 indicates three-time all-conference selection;
Honorable Mention:
Quarterback: Zach Conque, Stephen F. Austin; Zach Adkins, Northwestern State; Parker McKenzie, Abilene Christian; Jared Johnson, Sam Houston State; Ryan Howard, Central Arkansas.
Running Back: Garrett Atzenweiler, Northwestern State; B.J. Kelly, Houston Baptist.
Tight End/H-Back: Cole Wick, UIW.
Wide Receiver: Tyler Boyd, Stephen F. Austin; Yedidiah Louis, Sam Houston State; Demarcus Thompson, Abilene Christian; Cody Jones, Northwestern State; Casey Jennings, UIW; Jereon McGilvery, McNeese State; Desmond Smith, Central Arkansas; Jeff Smiley, Southeastern La.
Offensive Linemen: Bret Treadway, Lamar; Terran Vaughn, Stephen F. Austin; Joe Graves, Southeastern La.; Chris Bordelon, Nicholls; Tramon Shead, Lamar; Rafe Plaisance, Nicholls; Bridge Blount, Sam Houston State; Austin Douglas, Northwestern State; Kyle Stouffer, Central Arkansas; Chance McCormack, Lamar; Anthony Pullins, Stephen F. Austin.
Offensive All-Purpose: Keenan Canty, Nicholls.
Defensive Linemen: Ishmiah Miles, Stephen F. Austin; Everett Ellefsen, McNeese State; Joe Okafor, Lamar; Damon Williams, Abilene Christian; Damon Medcafe, Northwestern State; Lance Skyler, Stephen F. Austin; Mouf Abedo, Sam Houston State; Brian Hine, McNeese State; Keith Curran, Lamar; A.J. Bowen, Southeastern La.; Jacobi Hunter, Sam Houston State; Donald Bryant, Stephen F. Austin.
Linebackers: Davin Bovie, Nicholls; Ricky Wyatt, Central Arkansas; Drew Misita, Southeastern La.; Blake Childress, Central Arkansas; Garrett Dolan, Houston Baptist; Ronnie Jones, Lamar; Padyn Giebler, UIW; Justin Stephens, Abilene Christian; Tyler Roussel, Northwestern State.
Defensive Back: Jordan Batiste, Southeastern La.; Gabe Hamner, McNeese State; Bobby Watkins, Central Arkansas; Patrick Martin; Stephen F. Austin; Keavon Madison, Stephen F. Austin; Mikel Everette, Sam Houston State; Kobie Douglas, UIW; Justin Stewart, Abilene Christian; Micah Eugene, Southeastern Louisiana; Eric Amoako, Houston Baptist, Dominique Hill, McNeese State; Byron Cobb, Nicholls; B.T. Sanders, Nicholls.
Placekicker: Nik Grau, Abilene Christian.
Punter: Spencer Matthew, Central Arkansas.
Kick Return Specialist: Ed Eagan, Northwestern State.
Punt Return Specialist: Aaron Thomas, Stephen F. Austin.