Conference USA Awards

[ponyrider1947]

http://conferenceusa.collegesports.com/index-main.html


Unless I missed someone....

SMU got....

2nd team
Joe Sturdivant, Defensive Back


3rd team
Bobby Chase, Wide Receiver
Jamey Harper, Defensive Back
Ro Humphrey, Defensive Back

[Mustangs35SMU]

Justin Rogers was also 2nd Team Defensive Linesman

[Stallion]

Haywood was Third Team. I believe he should be SMU Defensive MVP- just edging out Sturdivant.

[PonyPride]

Justin Rogers is on the second team, Adrian Haywood and Jessie Henderson are on the third.

Based on that .... no, they're not even close to fair.

Rice DE Jon Syptak is a very talented DE, but he didn't have half the year Haywood had, and for him to be on the first team is comical. Haywood and Rogers both had better years, and the argument could be made that Muse did, too (if only because Syptak had zero help around him and opponents keyed their blocking schemes on him when the faced the Owls.)

Syptak was the preseason defensive player of the year for C-USA, and clearly this recognition is based on reputation more than performance. Looking at teams closely, you could even make a case that Haywood was the best defensive lineman in the whole conference this year.

I guess despite the Mustangs' improved record, respect is still a work in progress. That Haywood was only on the third team -- and McMurtray was not even named -- makes this list a complete farce.

[ponygrad90]

Jesse Henderson was third team special teams

[mrydel]

As tough as this seems, didn't we get completely shut out of everything last year in the WAC? This is some improvement, and in our hearts we know that our guys are better than they have been ranked. Things are getting better.

I agree that Haywood deserves the Defensive MVP. He filled a great void and did it well. Sturdivant will be first team next year as will Haywood and hopefully Rogers.

[SmooPower]

This I find odd.

These two guys get first team KRET:

Ashlan Davis (Tulsa) - 29 ret, 647 yds, 22.3 avg, 1 td
John Eubanks (So Miss) - 27 ret, 635 yds, 23.5 avg, 0 td

While this is third team?:

Jessie Henderson (SMU) - 24 ret, 663 yds, 27.6 avg, 1 td

[Dutch]

our players don't need perverbial gold stars. we know they're good, they know they're good, the coaches know they're good.

AND if this means that the rest of the conference overlooks us again next year, good. I wouldn't count on that happening after this year. Houston and Utep will be gunning for us, as will UAB if we're playing them again (don't remember the divisional rotation)

[mrydel]

This I find odd.

These two guys get first team KRET:

Ashlan Davis (Tulsa) - 29 ret, 647 yds, 22.3 avg, 1 td
John Eubanks (So Miss) - 27 ret, 635 yds, 23.5 avg, 0 td

While this is third team?:

Jessie Henderson (SMU) - 24 ret, 663 yds, 27.6 avg, 1 td

I think the Tulsa kid got it on his reputation. Wasn't he the national leader or close to it last year and set some kind of record for returns for TDs. I believe I am thinking about the right guy. And I am not saying that make it right this year, just that a good rep can carry you a long way.

Another thing to remember in taking these things too seriously, Pat Curry was a defensive back for SMU during my days. His first year to get on the field he was picked on for being a newbie and responded by making several interceptions and being named 1st team SWC. The rest of his career, nobody would throw to his side of the field and he got no further recognition. Sometimes being too good can get you off of these teams.

[SmooPower]

This I find odd.

These two guys get first team KRET:

Ashlan Davis (Tulsa) - 29 ret, 647 yds, 22.3 avg, 1 td
John Eubanks (So Miss) - 27 ret, 635 yds, 23.5 avg, 0 td

While this is third team?:

Jessie Henderson (SMU) - 24 ret, 663 yds, 27.6 avg, 1 td

I think the Tulsa kid got it on his reputation. Wasn't he the national leader or close to it last year and set some kind of record for returns for TDs.

That's him. Both Davis and Eubanks are seniors, so that probably played into it as well.

[Corso]

our players don't need perverbial gold stars. we know they're good, they know they're good, the coaches know they're good.

That's true. But if you're a hotshot defensive player in high school, and Jim Gush comes to see you with the ability to say "my free safety and defensive tackle were first-team all-conference guys, and I had three more defensive players who got on the second/third team," you -- as the recruit -- might look at him and think "my god, this dude is a coaching genius. I have to play for him."
Just another bullet in the recruiting gun.

[SmooPower]

Martin and Henderson make All-Freshman team.

http://conferenceusa.collegesports.com/ ... 05aab.html

CUSA Freshman of the Year announced tomorrow.

[EastStang]

What McMurtry didn't get an award for his kicking?

[Mexmustang]

When was the vote taken? Obviously, many of our players made their reputation late in the season and were taken for granted by our last three opponents. Also, many (not all) of our candidates are underclassman, give the graduating seniors priority.

[PonyPride]

Clearly the vote was taken before the UTEP game, and in many cases (i.e. McMurtray) before the Houston game.