OGDEN, Utah --- Sacramento State senior linebacker Matt Logue was named co-Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year and first team all-league, it was announced today. Logue heads a list of 14 Hornets who earned all-conference accolades.A four-year starter, Logue led the Big Sky with 105 tackles, including 14.5 for loss. He ends his Sacramento State career as the school’s all-time leader in tackles-for-loss (46.5) and fumble recoveries (five). Logue also ranks second all-time with 306 career tackles.
The Grass Valley, Calif., native becomes the first Hornet to earn the defensive award since the school joined the Big Sky in 1996. In fact, former All-America running back Charles Roberts is the only player to earn any of the Big Sky’s football MVP awards as he was named Offensive MVP in 1999. Logue was named second team all-Big Sky last season.
Idaho State’s Jeff Charleston and Eastern Washington’s Joey Cwik shared the award with Logue. Charleston also garnered the league’s Newcomer of the Year award. Eastern Washington quarterback Erik Meyer was named Offensive MVP for the second-straight season.
While Logue was the Hornets'' lone first team selection, the team had three players named to the second team. One season after being named co-Newcomer of the Year, running back Ryan Mole was placed on the second team. Mole averaged 85.3 rushing yards per game and had two 100-yard performances in the nine games in which he appeared.
Sophomore Brett Shelton earned his second-consecutive second team appearance after finishing second on the team with 83 total tackles. Shelton added 3.5 tackles-for-loss and had a pair of interceptions.
Junior Kris Daniels was named second team kick returner. Daniels finished seventh in Div. I-AA with a kickoff return average of 27.5. He also enjoyed his best season at running back, amassing 356 yards and scoring four touchdowns.
Ten additional players received honorable mention honors. The list is comprised of three offensive selections, five defensive players and two special teams standouts. The offensive players were wide receivers Ryan Coogler and Bobby Mooshagian and offensive lineman Dustin Nicolodi. Coogler finished the season with a team-high 45 receptions for 441 yards while Mooshagian had 24 grabs for 245 yards. Nicolodi was named honorable mention for the fourth-straight season on the offensive line. During his career, he played center, guard and tackle.
Defensively, senior Walter Brock and freshman Mike Brannon were honorable mention selections on the line. Brock, who was the team’s most valuable lineman, tallied 26 tackles on the interior of the line. Brannon, a true freshman from Cordova HS, had 54 total tackles, including 11.0 for loss as a defensive end. Junior Tyson Butler earned his first all-conference award after finishing fourth on the team with 59 tackles. Butler led the team with 6.5 sacks and also had an interception.
The secondary had two representatives with senior Brandon Smith and sophomore Brent Webber. Smith garnered the honor for the second-consecutive season and led the team with three interceptions as a cornerback. Webber, who was honorable mention Freshman All-America and Big Sky last season, finished third on the team with 64 tackles and two interceptions.
Punter Mitch Lively was named honorable mention for the second time in as many years after averaging 40.7 yards per punt in conference games. Freshman Torrell Baker received the accolades for his play on special teams. Baker tallied five tackles on coverage and was routinely one of the first players down the field on both punts and kickoffs.
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