WAC honors Cardwell

[PonyPride]

From the office of the Western Athletic Conference:

DENVER - Boise State quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie, Fresno State safety Cameron Worrell and SMU punt returner Cody Cardwell were named the Western Athletic Conference offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively.

Dinwiddie, a junior from Elk Grove, Calif. (Elk Grove HS), completed 19-of-33 passes for 399 yards and four touchdowns in a 36-10 win over Louisiana Tech as Boise State clinched at least a tie for the WAC title. Dinwiddie opened the game with a school-record 97-yard touchdown pass to Lou Fanucchi in the first quarter. The play also was tied for the fourth longest in WAC history. Dinwiddie’s passing efficiency rating is now 205.62.

Worrell, a senior from Chowchilla, Calif. (Chowchilla HS), led the Bulldogs with nine tackles (three solo), broke up two passes and returned an interception 62 yards for a touchdown in a 38-30 win over Nevada. The touchdown was the first of his career.

Cardwell, a senior from Tolar, Texas (Stephenville HS), returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown with 1:22 remaining to give SMU a 42-35 win at UTEP. He totaled an SMU and Sun Bowl record 169 yards on six punt returns and is now ranked fourth nationally, averaging 17.3 yards per punt return. The punt return for a touchdown was the first by a Mustang since Albert Johnson did it against Hawai‘i on Oct. 3, 1998.

Other offensive nominees included senior center Rodney Michael, Fresno State; sophomore quarterback Timmy Chang, Hawai‘i; junior wide receiver Chris Norwood, Louisiana Tech; freshman receiver Marcus Battle, Rice; and senior tight end John Hampton, SMU.

On the defensive side, nominees included senior safety Quintin Mikell, Boise State; senior linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, Hawai‘i; senior linebacker Adam McConathy, Louisiana Tech; and senior defensive end Brandon Green, Rice.

Special team nominations included senior punter Jason Simpson, Fresno State; junior defensive end Philip Perry, San Jose State; and freshman kick returner Uril Parrish, Tulsa.

[PonyPride]

The Tolar, Texas native scored the game-winning touchdown on a 66-yard punt return with 1:22 remaining. He broke Doak Walker's SMU single game record for punt return yards with 169 on six returns. Walker previous mark was 138 yards against Texas A&M in 1945. Cardwell's total also set a Sun Bowl stadium record and gave him 467 punt eturn yards for the season, breaking Kris Silverthorn's school mark of 443 in 1972.

"Cody was a difference-maker in the game and he is very deserving of the honor," said SMU head coach Phil Bennett. "He has had an outstanding season returning punts and catching passes."

Cardwell leads the WAC and ranks fourth in the country, averaging 17.3 yards on 27 punt returns this season. He also leads the team with 43 receptions for 616 yards and three TDs.

[smudad]

Without sounding too much like sour grapes, this kid has had the potential to be this type impact player for us for four years. Those who know him comment that he is one of the toughest, most competitive athletes they've ever seen. Ever see Cody not get up from a vicious hit? He could have been used as an over-the-middle, posession type receiver or, like he's exibited this year, a long threat. He's burned some damned good DB's. Just ask Tech, TCU, etc. And now he's shown that he is fearless and effective as a returner. Wish we had him four more years. Way to go Cody! I hope he has a monster game this next week.

[This message has been edited by smudad (edited 11-18-2002).]

[SMUguy]

Bennett said today that he's been overwhelmed by Cardwell's ability and competitiveness. He shied away from offering a guess as to why Cody was "somewhat overlooked" the last two years, and came within a step of crediting Cardwell with winning the UTEP game by himself. He's had a terrific season, and deserves all the accolades he has gotten.

And he's in the top 10 all-time in receptions. If Cavan had called his number over the last two years, think he'd have made a run at Jason Wolf's school record? Alas, we'll never know....