ESPN sez...

[PhirePhilBennett]

Coach of the Year -- Rice's Todd Graham



No Division I-A team improved more than Rice, which went from 1-10 last year to the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, the school's first postseason appearance in 45 years. And no coach deserves this honor more than Graham, who in his first season kept a team together after a 0-4 start and the tragic loss of freshman defensive back Dale Lloyd on Sept. 25. Rice played inspired football, winning its final six games, all by 11 points or fewer and four by four points or fewer. "We set our goals when I came here," Graham told the San Antonio Express-News. "Am I surprised where we're at now? No."



Newcomer of the Year -- SMU quarterback Justin Willis



The redshirt freshman set a school record with 26 touchdown passes, tying UTEP's Jordan Palmer for the league lead. Willis set an NCAA freshman record for completion percentage (67.4) and ranked 10th nationally in passing efficiency (158.4 rating), throwing only six interceptions in 270 pass attempts. "He's given us something," coach Phil Bennett said. "Jerad Romo did that the last four games of last season, and Justin has done that this season." Southern Miss freshman Damion Fletcher deserves a mention after ranking second in the league in rushing (112.7 ypg).
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[smupony94]

Good for Rice and Willis

[SMUltimedia]

Is that just for C-USA?

[SmooPower]

Is that just for C-USA?

yes