USU football: Andersen named WAC coach of the year, 14 Aggies make all-WAC teams

By Tony Jones The Salt Lake Tribune

Published: December 3, 2012 12:23 pm
College football • Keeton, Williams among first-teamers.
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

For an entire season, Utah State was the best team in the Western Athletic Conference, finishing the league year unbeaten.

The Aggies now are cleaning up once again in awards season.

Gary Andersen was named WAC Coach of the Year for the first time in his career. Eight USU players were named first team all-conference, while six made second team. In addition, senior cornerback Will Davis was named third team All-American by CBSSports.com.

Yes, it was quite a day for No. 18 Utah State.

"To receive Coach of the Year is a great honor," Andersen said. "Me winning that, however, is not an individual award, but a team honor. This was the best team and the best staff in the league this season from top to bottom. This is a tremendous honor, and I'm very appreciative."

Sophomore quarterback Chuckie Keeton, senior running back Kerwynn Williams and junior center Tyler Larsen, along with offensive lineman Eric Schultz, were named to the first team from the offense.

Davis, freshman linebacker Kyler Fackrell, defensive lineman Al Lapuaho, and former Juan Diego star Jake Doughty were named first-team defense.

In all, 14 of USU's 22 starters were named either first or second team, a school record to go with the bushels of school records already set by Utah State this season.

If there was one hitch, it was Keeton not being named Offensive Player of the Year. Louisiana Tech quarterback Colby Cameron took that honor, despite the Bulldogs losing the last two games of the season when he threw a combined five interceptions.

"It was a disappointment to see that, but we are blessed and honored to have so many guys receive honors," Andersen said. "Chuckie has been very solid as a quarterback. He's played hurt, he's led the offense and he's made big plays in the throw game and the run game. He's been a big-time quarterback this season."

tjones@sltrib.com —

Utah State'sall-WAC honorees

First team

QB • Chuckie Keeton

RB • Kerwynn Williams

OL • Tyler Larsen

OL • Eric Schultz

DL • Al Lapuaho

DB • Will Davis

LB • Jake Doughty

LB • Kyler Fackrell

Second team

WR • Matt Austin

OL • Jamie Markosian

DL • Jordan Nielsen

LB • Zach Vigil

DB • McKade Brady

DB • Nevin Lawson

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