ZACK NASH NAMED FIRST TEAM ALL-BIG SKY; ONE OF SIX HORNETS RECOGNIZED
11/21/2011
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento State's Zack Nash was voted to the all-Big Sky Conference first team for the second consecutive season and was one of six Hornets to earn all-league honors, it was announced today.
Nash became the third Sacramento State defensive player to become a two-time first team all-Big Sky selection, joining Cyrus Mulitalo (2007-08) and Anthony Daisley (1999-2000). This season, Nash led the Hornets with 15.0 tackles-for-loss and 10.0 sacks. The Vacaville, Calif., native also set the school career record with 29.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles and ranks fifth in school history with 40.5 tackles-for-loss.
Senior Nate Doverspike was voted to the second team as an offensive tackle. Doverspike started the final 33 games of his career at tackle, including all 11 at left tackle this season. The Carmichael, Calif., native was an honorable mention selection last season.
Senior Kyle Monson also earned second team honors for the first time. Monson, a senior from Saugus, Calif., started every game at cornerback where he had 43 tackles. He also intercepted a pair of passes, returning both for touchdowns, and had a team high nine pass breakups. For his two-year career with the Hornets, Monson had four touchdowns (three interception returns and a punt return).
Three other Hornet were named honorable mention, comprised of linebacker Todd Davis, safety Joe Larche and wide receiver Morris Norrise. Davis finished as a the team leader in tackles with 96. The sophomore started each game and had at least four tackles in every contest, including six with 10 or more. Davis also had 5.5 TFLs, one sack, an interception and forced two fumbles.
Larche ranked fourth on the team with a career high 70 tackles. The former walk-on started every game at safety and tied for the team lead with two interceptions. He also recorded seven pass break-ups, forced a fumble and recovered another.
Norrise led the team with 38 receptions and amassed 471 yards. His best game came at Weber State where he had seven catches for 127 yards.
Sacramento State also held its 2011 award ceremony on Sunday at the Alumni Center where Nash was voted the team's most valuable player.
The offensive MVP went to senior quarterback Jeff Fleming who threw for seven touchdowns and ran for five more in his seven games. Fleming was a two-time Big Sky Player of the Week, earning the award following victories over Oregon State and Montana.
Larche was the defensive MVP, Doverspike the outstanding offensive lineman and Monson the outstanding defensive back.
Running back Jake Croxdale was presented the Ray Clemons Award which is given to the player who best exemplified the former coach's hard-working philosophy. Croxdale, a fifth-year senior, leaves Sacramento State with 940 career rushing yards and was a also a key member of nearly every special teams unit.
Senior Evander Wilkins was voted most inspirational. The Sacramento native began his career as a running back before moving to defense for his junior season. Wilkins also overcame two knee injuries which cut a pair of seasons short.
Center Dustin Pfaff earned the most improved award. Pfaff started all 11 at center.
The special teams MVP went to junior Markell Williams. The Vacaville, Calif., native played on four special teams during the season and also at nickelback. Against Montana, Williams scooped up a blocked punt and returned it for a touchdown.
Running back Bryan Hilliard was named the outstanding offensive back. Hilliard led the team with 665 yards and seven touchdowns. For his career, Hilliard ranks third in school history with 3,456 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Senior defensive end David Coleman was the outstanding defensive lineman. Coleman tallied 47 total tackles, including six for loss and 1.5 sacks. In his four years, Coleman finished with 119 career tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and a school-record six career fumble recoveries.
The offensive and defensive most outstanding scout team players went to wide receiver Shane Harrison and defensive end Doyin Sule.
