Two Log Walter Camp All-America Nods
RICHMOND, Va. (January 4, 2012) -- CAA Football First Team linebacker Matt Evans (New Hampshire) and First Team running back Terrance West (Towson) highlight the Walter Camp Football Foundation 2011 Football Championship Subdivision All-America team. The team was selected by the head coaches and sports information directors of the FCS schools and certified by the accounting and auditing firm, Marcum LLP.
Evans, one of four repeat defensive players on the squad, adds to his already impressive list of season accolades, which includes: Phil Steele’s All-America First Team; The Sports Network/Fathead.com All-America; College Sports Madness All-American; A.P. All-America Second Team; Gold Helmet Award as New England’s player of the year; All-CAA First Team and All-New England Team. Additionally, the 6-foot, 227-pound LB is one of four finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player in the FCS, for the second consecutive year.
Evans led the nation with 7.67 solo tackles/game and registered 165 total tackles, the second-most in the country and the second-highest, single-season total in school history. He tallied double-digit tackles in 10 of 12 games this season and in 21 of his last 25 games, including a career-high 24 tackles at then-No. 14 Lehigh on Sept. 10 and a 13-tackle, two-forced fumble performance in the Colonial Clash victory against then-No. 22 Massachusetts on Oct. 22. Evans notched three interceptions, including a 31-yard pick-six at then-No. 5 Richmond on Sept. 24 and a 58-yard pick-six in the Wildcats’ NCAA Division I FCS second-round playoff loss at seventh-ranked Montana State on Dec. 3. Evans forced three fumbles, recovered a fumble and notched two sacks.
West, who earned first team All-America honors from The Sports Network and was an Associated Press second team All-American, is one of two Colonial Athletic Association representatives on the Walter Camp All-America team. Junior linebacker Matt Evans of New Hampshire was also honored.
Named as the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year, West helped the “Turnaround Tigers” post a 9-3 record and win the 2011 CAA championship. The Tigers, who had a 1-10 record in 2010, were the most improved Division I team in the nation as they earned their first-ever NCAA FCS playoff berth.
The second-leading rusher in the CAA, West earned first team All-CAA notice as he rushed for 1,294 yards in 11 games. He ranks 12th in NCAA FCS with 117.6 rushing yards per game and averaged an impressive 6.7 yards per carry. A four-time selection as the CAA Rookie of the Week, West was also honored as the CAA Offensive Player of the Week twice. He ran for more than 100 yards in six consecutive games and had a career high 261 yards on 23 carries in the Tigers’ 56-42 win over New Hampshire on Nov. 12.
West, who leads NCAA FCS with 29 touchdowns scored, recorded at least two touchdowns in the final eight games of the year. He scored four touchdowns in three different games. He is tied for third among college football players in all divisions with his 29 touchdowns. Junior running back Montee Ball of Wisconsin has scored 38 touchdowns in 13 games while junior Joe Glendening of Hillsdale tops Division II with 31 TD’s in ten games. Senior Rashaad Slowley of Southern Connecticut has also scored 29 TD’s in ten games.
West shattered the Towson University single season record for touchdowns scored with his 29 TD’s. He also broke the NCAA FCS record for freshmen with 29 touchdowns. In fact, his 29 touchdowns represent the third-highest single season total in FCS history, a mark that has been topped by Omar Cuff of Delaware (35, 2007) and Kevin Richardson of Appalachian State (30, 2006). West matched the 29 touchdowns scored by Jamaal Branch of Colgate in 2003.
West is one of the leading candidates for the Jerry Rice Award, which will be presented to the top freshman in NCAA FCS by The Sports Network/Fathead.com on Jan. 6.
For the Walter Camp Foundation's complete FCS All-America roster click here.
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