Morris leads cast of WAC's best

Brigham Young linebacker Rob Morris was named Pacific Division defensive player of the year by Western Athletic Conference coaches Tuesday. The 6-2, 250-pound junior headlines a cast of three other Cougars and five Utah players who earned first-team recognition.

"There's no question that Rob's very deserving," BYU coach LaVell Edwards said. "He just had a very big-time year. He was dominating.""Morris and Kautai (Utah first-teamer Olevao) were the best two linebackers in the league," said Utah coach Ron McBride.

The pair was among six local players named to the first defensive unit. The others include linemen Daren Yancey (BYU) and John Frank (Utah) as well as safety Robert Love (Utah) and cornerback Brian Gray (BYU).

On the offensive side, the Utes were represented by wide receiver Daniel Jones (also special-teams honorable mention) and tailback Michael Anderson. Tait was the lone Cougar named to the offensive squad.

Both Edwards and McBride expressed disappointment their teams weren't didn't receive more offensive representation.

"That was a little surprising," said Edwards. "We certainly had several players who are deserving."

"I would think one or two of our offensive linemen deserved first team - Darren (center Walker) and Sam (guard White), definitely," said McBride of two players named to the second team.

McBride was also surprised that Fresno State running back Jaime Kimbrough was named Pacific Division offensive player of the year, though he led the league in all-purpose yards and is second to Utah's Anderson in rushing average. "Michael (Anderson) or Ronney (BYU's Jenkins, named to the second team) should have been most valuable offensive player," said McBride. "They're the best two we've seen."

Kimbrough joined Air Force quarterback Blane Morgan as WAC offensive players of the year in the Pacific and Mountain divisions, respectively. Kimbrough led WAC all-purpose yards with 177.5 per game and is second in rushing (106.2 yards per game). Morgan is the fourth Air Force quarterback to earn the honor. He leads the WAC in scoring with 14 touchdowns.

Defensive honors went to Morris and Air Force senior defensive tackle Bryce Fisher. Morris is fourth in the WAC with 130 tackles, including 20 for a loss. Fisher recorded 68 tackles and six sacks in leading the Falcons to the divisional title.

Freshman of the year awards went to San Diego State defensive tackle Jerome Haywood in the Pacific Division and UNLV linebacker James Sunia in the Mountain Division.