Aggies' Chick, Bush named to all-Western Athletic Conference team

LOGAN — Utah State defensive end John Chick and cornerback Jarrett Bush were each named to the all-Western Athletic Conference football team announced on Monday. Offensive tackle Donald Penn and return man Tony Pennyman were tabbed to the second team.

The teams were selected by the league coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own players. Nevada running back B.J. Mitchell was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year, while Fresno State defensive lineman Garrett McIntyre earned defensive honors. Hawaii wide receiver Davone Bess was tabbed the Freshman of the Year, while Nevada's Chris Ault was selected as Coach of the Year.

Chick, a senior from Gillette, Wyo., was one of four defensive linemen named to the first team. The 6-4, 257-pounder ranks fifth in the NCAA in sacks per game at 1.14 and ninth in the country in tackles for loss with 1.73. His 12 1/2 sacks were the second most in WAC history and his 19 tackles for loss tied for fourth in conference history.

His 48 tackles are fifth among the league's down linemen. He closed the year with a seven-tackle, three-sack game at New Mexico State.

"If there is anybody that has worked hard and deserved the year he had, it is John," said Tom McMahon, USU's defensive line coach. "He is the epitome of hard work, self pride and self discipline. This is a great way to finish a great career."

Bush, a senior cornerback from Vacaville, Calif., was one of five defensive backs named first team. The 6-1, 192-pounder ranks sixth in the NCAA in passes defended at 1.36 per game. He finished the year with two interceptions and 13 passes broken up.

Bush finished the year with 50 tackles to rank fifth on the team and was one of two Aggies to record both a sack and an interception on the year. Bush had a season high seven tackles against San Jose State and had pickoffs against UNLV and Fresno State. He broke up at least one pass in each of the last six games.

"Jarrett did everything we asked of him at that position," said USU cornerbacks coach John Rushing. "He had one of the best years a cornerback has had at USU in a long time. It may not have shown up in the stats, but if you watched the games and how much teams went at him and how much he was challenged and how he responded, it was impressive. He got better and better every game."

Penn, a 6-5, 305-pound senior from Playa Del Rey, Calif., earned second-team offensive lineman honors. Penn started 41 consecutive games at USU and has been selected to play in the Hula Bowl all-star game in Honolulu, Hawaii next month.