Eight
HBCU performers highlight 2003 Sports Network I-AA All-America
Team
December 16, 2003
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The MEAC, SWAC and Tennessee State combined
for
eight
six
players on The Sports Network
2003 All-
America
Team, including two on the First-Team.
I-AA national championship participants Colgate and Delaware combined for six
players on team. Running back Jamaal
Branch
and offensive lineman Marc Sclafani were named to the first-team
offense for Colgate, which enters this week's I-AA title game at a perfect 15-0.
For
Delaware, offensive lineman Jason Nerys and defensive end Shawn Johnson were
recognized as First-Teamers by a panel of I-AA media members and sports information
directors.
Along with Branch (2,026 yards, 25 TD during the regular season) in the First- Team backfield were Grambling
State quarterback Bruce Eugene and Tennessee State running back Charles
Anthony. Eugene, one of three Walter Payton Award finalists invited to this Thursday's Awards presentation, threw for 3,808 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions while also rushing for 412 yards and six scores for the 9-3 G-Men. Anthony, meanwhile, bolted for 1,708 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year, while also catching 29 passes and scoring two more TDs from his backfield position.
Wide receivers Javarus Dudley of Fordham and Efrem Hill of Samford also drew first-team praise. Dudley completed his season with eye-popping totals of 101 catches for 1,439 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Hill went for 92 receptions, 1,387 yards, and 15 TDs. Tight end Adam Bergen of Lehigh was also named to the First-Team following his 70-catch, 840-yard effort during the regular season.
Along with Nerys and Sclafani on the first-team offensive line were Buster Ashley (Western Kentucky), Eric Deutsch (Wofford), and Dwight Hudler (McNeese State).
Montana State kick returner Corey Smith and Montana kicker Chris Snyder finished
out the First-Team offense, with Smith's six returns for TDs and SnyderÕs 25-30
field goal performance swaying voters.
Johnson was one of four Buck Buchanan Award finalists on the First-Team defensive line, with Idaho StateÕs Jared Allen, Bethune-CookmanÕs Steve Baggs, and Appalachian StateÕs K.T. Stovall joining the Delaware standout on the initial squad. At linebacker, Buchanan Award finalists Liam Ezekiel (Northeastern), Boomer Grigsby (Illinois State) Roderick Royal (McNeese State) and Lee Russell (Western Illinois) received First-Team praise. Buchanan finalists Kane Ioane (Montana State) and Matt Nelson (Wofford) were among the First-Team defensive backs, and were joined in the secondary by Brent Hafford (Stephen F. Austin) and Mario Williams (Gardner-Webb). Northern Arizona punter Mark Gould, who averaged more than 45 yards per kick on the year, finished out the Defensive First-Team.
In all, 72 players from 13 different conferences were selected to either the first-, second-, or third-team, along with six players from independent programs. The Gateway Football Conference, which landed a record four teams in the I-AA playoffs, led all leagues with 13 selections, followed by the Big Sky Conference with 10 picks and the Southern Conference with nine. Voting was conducted among I-AA Sports Information Directors and selected I-AA media, with more than 100 ballots being cast.
