UL - Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns landed nine players on the 2007 All-Sun Belt team, as announced by the conference office on Wednesday.
The Cajuns were led by three players on the first team. Running back Tyrell Fenroy, offensive tackle Jesse Newman and defensive end Rodney Hardeway all earned first team honors. Center Chris Fisher, linebacker Antwyne Zanders and kicker Drew Edmiston were on the second team along with quarterback Michael Desormeaux, who earned second team honors as an all-purpose specialist. Linebacker Grant Fleming and defensive lineman Korey Raymond claimed honorable mention.
Fenroy, a three-time All-SBC performer, earned his second straight first team honor. He became the first player in Sun Belt history to record three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Fenroy and Arkansas’ Darren McFadden are the only two active juniors in the country with three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Fenroy ranked second in the Sun Belt among running backs in rushing yards per game. He started nine games and recorded five 100-yard rushing efforts in those starts. Fenroy enjoyed his sixth 100-yard game of the season in his first game back from an ankle injury, rushing seven times for 123 yards vs. North Texas. Fenroy needs 64 rushing yards to catch Brian Mitchell as the school’s all-time rushing champion and 829 yards to reach Patrick Cobbs for the all-time SBC mark.
Newman notched his third consecutive All-SBC praise. Newman was a vital part of the Cajuns offensive line that paved the way for the Sun Belt’s first ever 3,000-yard rushing team (3,019). The Cajuns 251.6 rushing yards per game rank 6th nationally and first in the SBC by more than 500 yards.
Hardeway boasts his second straight appearance on the All-SBC team. Hardeway was a constant force at defensive end for the Cajuns, leading the SBC in sacks, with all sacks solo stops. He ranked second in the conference in tackles for loss and sixth in forced fumbles. Hardeway a major factor in the Cajuns upset win at Middle Tennessee. He set the school record with four sacks, while recording seven solo tackles as the Cajuns defense held the MT offense to -12 yards in the fourth quarter.
Fisher, like Newman, was a vital part of the Cajuns offensive line that averaged a Sun Belt-record 5.6 yards per carry en route to producing two 1,000-yard rushers. In addition, the Cajuns ranked 21st in the NCAA in fewest sacks allowed.
Zanders led the Cajuns in solo tackles (54), assisted tackles (39) and total tackles (93). His 93 stops were the most to lead the Cajuns since current Houston Texans defensive back C.C. Brown made 101 tackles in 2004. He ranked eighth in the Sun Belt in total tackles and tackles-per-game. Zanders led the team in tackles in eight games, while making at least three tackles in every game and five or more tackles in 10 games.
Edmiston, who makes the All-SBC team for the second year in a row, missed only three field goals again this season. He was the second most accurate kicker in the conference, hitting at 76.9 percent on the season. In addition, Edmiston did not miss any kicks from 40 yards or less. First team selection Greg Whibbs (Troy) was the only player with a higher field goal percentage and the only other SBC kicker who was perfect from 40 yards or less.
Desormeaux was an all-purpose threat with his arm and his legs. He was named to the second team in the all-purpose category despite leading the conference in rushing yards per game (123.2) during SBC play and finishing second in overall rushing yards. His 1,141 yards were the 19th most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season in NCAA history. Desormeaux boasted 17 total touchdowns and was ranked eighth nationally in yards per carry, 27th in rushing yards per game and 34th in net rushing yards. He rushed and passed for more than 100 yards in the same game five times and scored a touchdown in every game in which he played except at #24 Tennessee. He completed 55 percent of his passes to 16 different receivers, despite having only one senior at wide receiver. Desormeaux also punted twice, with one for 32 yards at #24 Tennessee that landed inside the Vols 10-yard line.
Fleming becomes the first Cajuns freshman on defense to ever earn a spot on an all-conference team. The true freshman started the final nine games at linebacker and finished second on the team in total tackles (71). He ranked 13th overall in tackles in Sun Belt games and 17th in total tackles in all games. He was the only freshman in the SBC ranked in the top 35 in total tackles. Fleming led the Cajuns in pass break-ups, while collecting a forced fumble, fumble recovery and an interception.
Raymond made 51 tackles at nose tackle, placing fifth on the team. He made 37 solo tackles, a large number for an interior lineman. Raymond missed the game at Arkansas State due to a death in his family and the Cajuns allowed a season-high in rushing yards without his presence – 91% more rushing yards than the Cajuns season average. He blocked a field goal vs. FAU that was returned for a touchdown.
The Cajuns nine All-SBC picks match the 2005 SBC Championship team that also had nine all-conference selections. Co-Champions Troy and Florida Atlantic each had a conference-high 12 different players earn All-SBC honors, although the Trojans Leodis McKelvin was a first team return specialist and a second team defensive back. Troy was also awarded the Offensive Player of the Year in Omar Haugabook and the Newcomer of the Year in Chris Bradwell. FAU head coach Howard Schnellenberger was tabbed Coach of the Year, while the Owls Rusty Smith was the Player of the Year. Louisiana-Monroe boasted 10 picks and Arkansas State had nine along with the Defensive Player of the Year in Tyrell Johnson. Middle Tennessee had seven, North Texas five and Freshman of the Year Giovanni Vizza and Florida International three.
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Ragin' Cajuns Land Nine on All-Sun Belt Team
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