Players and coach of the year in the Western Athletic Conference

12/04/2000

By Rana Cash / The Dallas Morning News

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, TCU

His career could not have gone much better. Tomlinson moved into sixth place on the all-time rushing list ahead of Herschel Walker in the final game of the season against SMU. He finished fourth in all-time single-season rushing yards. In his career at TCU, the Heisman Trophy candidate rewrote the Horned Frogs record books.

Following a 174-yard performance in his final game, Tomlinson tried to describe the magnitude of his career.

"To be mentioned in the same breath with great players like Herschel Walker and Ricky Williams is a tremendous honor," he said. "I have truly been blessed."

For the second-consecutive year, he led the nation in rushing. He ran for a WAC-record 2,158 yards, averaging 196.2 yards. He also led the league in touchdowns (22), points (132) and all-purpose yards (2,198). The career total of 5,263 yards is the most ever by a WAC player.

"This has been an emotional season, and I am glad that we were able to pull it together for my senior year," he said. "This is a great way to end my college career. The finish couldn't have been any better. I still can't believe all that we have accomplished."

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Orlando Huff, LB, Fresno State

In virtually every defensive statistical category, Huff's name is present. That is because he had an all-around tremendous year for the Bulldogs. As a result, he has been invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl.

Huff led all WAC players in tackles for loss with 16 for minus-77 yards. He was one tackle short of the school record and was also second in the league in sacks (9). The two-year starter, who made the coaches' first-team All-WAC list for the second-consecutive year, forced two fumbles and recovered two.

He is projected to be a first-round draft pick. Huff was the only representative from the WAC's defensive leaders chosen to the Pro Football Weekly mid-season All-America team.

He was great in big games. Against Ohio State, he recorded 12 tackles, a fumble recovery and two tackles for loss. He had 12 more tackles against UCLA. Then, when the Bulldogs faced TCU and the country's leading rusher in LaDainian Tomlinson, Huff had a season-high 14 tackles.

OFFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

QB Timmy Chang, Hawaii

Chang started nine games and made an immediate splash. Hawaii entered the year with a slew of players vying for the position and was uncertain how its season would take shape. Eventually, Chang emerged and has been solid ever since. With one game remaining, Chang has completed 219 passes for 2,688 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Chang threw for 300 or more yards in five games this season.

DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

S Bryce McGill, Fresno State

Though just a freshman, McGill made his presence known early for the Bulldogs. He started every game for Fresno State.

McGill had 42 solo tackles and 20 assisted. He averaged 5.6 tackles. The most impressive of his numbers, though, were the six sacks. That tied him for third in the conference, along with SMU defensive end Markus Pratt and TCU defensive end Aaron Schobel.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Dennis Franchione, TCU

No other TCU team since 1938 has experienced the type of success that this year's Horned Frogs squad has. TCU ended the regular season 10-1 and earned its third consecutive bowl berth.

It's one thing to be predicted to dominate. It's another matter to pull it off. Though TCU played under a lot of pressure in its attempt for the perfect season, it nearly pulled it off, falling only to San Jose State. Then the Horned Frogs responded with a thorough 47-14 victory over UT-El Paso.

Franchione capped the season with a win over SMU. It wasn't just any win. Franchione led his squad to a 62-7 drubbing of SMU. It was the largest margin of victory in the series. The highlight of the season may have come earlier in the year, though.

In the second game, TCU showed it was ready for a spectacular year by handling Northwestern, 41-14. The Horned Frogs were nationally ranked all year, though they could not break into the BCS running, particularly after a loss to San Jose State on the road. Nevertheless, it was a special year for Franchione and his team.