Dec. 7, 2009

DENVER - Adrien Cole, Dennis Morris and D'Anthony Smith were named All-Western Athletic Conference First Team while Phillip Livas, Rob McGill and Daniel Porter received second team honors as the WAC released its postseason honors Monday.

2009 All-WAC Teams

This marks the third consecutive year that Louisiana Tech has had multiple players honored with first team selections by the conference.

A sophomore linebacker, Cole led Tech with 93 total tackles and was third in the conference with 8.5 tackles per game. Cole recorded 4.0 tackles for a total loss of 41 yards for opponents this season and was ninth in the conference with forced two fumbles on the year.

One of the most prolific tight ends in the nation, Morris led the Bulldog receiving corps with 623 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns this season. Morris concluded his Tech career with 16 career touchdowns, ranking him 10th in school history. Morris' 12 scores ranks him ninth in the WAC this season in scoring.

Receiving first team honors for the second consecutive season, Smith led Tech in tackles for a loss, was second on the team in sacks and helped lead the second-best pass defense efficiency in the conference. Smith finished the season with 51 total tackles and 5.5 tackles for a total loss of 27 yards for opponents. His 3.5 sacks gave him 12 total sacks for his career, ranking him tied for sixth in school history.

Battling injuries all year, Livas still received second team honors as a special teams return man as he was second in the league in kick return average and helped lead the league's best punt return team. Livas' 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown is tied as the longest return in school history and marked his sixth career return for a touchdown, setting a school record. Livas also recorded an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown at Navy this year.

Quietly serving as a dominant force on the offensive line, Rob McGill received second team honors for the second consecutive season. Anchoring a young but talented offensive line, McGill's efforts aided Porter in setting the school's career rushing record.

Porter started off the season slow, but quickly made up for the sluggish start as he tallied 1,132 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the season en route to setting the school's career rushing record in the season finale against San Jose State. Porter ended his career with a program-best 3,352 rushing yards as he was ranked fifth in the league in rushing, sixth in all-purpose yards and 10th in scoring as he garnered his second consecutive all-conference honor.

Boise State led the league with seven first-team All-WAC honorees, while Fresno State placed six on the first team and Hawai`i, Louisiana Tech and Nevada each placed three. All nine schools were represented on the first team. Boise State's Kellen Moore was named the Offensive Player of the Year, Nevada's Dontay Moch earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, and Nevada's Brandon Wimberly was named the Freshman of the Year. Boise State's Chris Petersen was voted the WAC's Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Hawai`i's John Estes made the first team for the third consecutive year. Other repeat first team all-WAC selections from last season, along with Smith, include Nevada running back Vai Taua, Boise State defensive lineman Ryan Winterswyk, Boise State defensive back Kyle Wilson and San Jose State defensive back Duke Ihenacho.

Nevada placed a WAC-high seven players on the second team while Boise State, Fresno State and Idaho had four apiece.

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