Utah Utes football: Utes' Sakoda named 1st team All-American
Sakoda added first-team All-American kicker honors from the Associated Press to his growing list of accolades. Previous All-American recognition has come from the American Football Coaches Association, the Walter Camp Foundation, and Football Writers Association of America. He's expected to add recognition from The Sporting News later today.
"Everybody knows what a valuable asset he has been to our football team," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "All these postseason honors are very well deserved."
Sakoda joins defensive tackle Luther Elliss (1994), offensive tackle Jordan Gross (2002) and defensive back Eric Weddle (2006) as Utah's only consensus All-Americans.
"Very select company," Whittingham said. "That just speaks to his talent and how important he is to our football team."
Sakoda, a three-time Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Year and National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete, was a finalist for the Lou Groza (kicking) and Ray Guy (punting) awards. He'll complete his Utah career Jan. 2 against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
"Certainly in my time as a football coach, he's without a doubt the best dual kicker that I've ever been around or ever seen."
Sakoda also received first-team All-American honors from SI.com on Tuesday. Teammates Robert Conley (offensive line) and Paul Kruger (defensive end) netted honorable mention recognition.
The players weren't alone in receiving accolades.
After leading the Utes to a 12-0 record and a berth in the Bowl Championship Series, Whittingham was named a finalist for the prestigious Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award. He's also in the running for the Liberty Mutual and Eddie Robinson coaching awards.
"It means we have good players. That's what it means," Whittingham said. "It means we've done a good job recruiting and our players have performed well on the field."
Other Bryant Award finalists include Mack Brown (Texas), Turner Gill (Buffalo), Mike Leach (Texas Tech), Houston Nutt (Mississippi), Chris Petersen (Boise State), Nick Saban (Alabama) and Bob Stoops (Oklahoma).
The winner will be announced on Jan. 15.
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com
Recent comments
Utah is not the best team in the nation though I highly doubt Alabama...
JMT | Dec. 17, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
but when utah lines up in new orleans there will be FOUR...
congratulations | Dec. 17, 2008 at 4:59 p.m.
My step daughter is a Junior at the U. Her name is: (with held) She...
Hey Louie | Dec. 17, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.
- Witness: Mitchell stalked victims 4:09 p.m.
- BYU eager for crack at Oregon State 3:40 p.m.
- Messy Monday commute 3:07 p.m.
- Zoo offers prizes for 1Mth visitor 3:02 p.m.
- Texas' McCoy a winner like no other 3:00 p.m.
- Senate confronts abortion in debate 2:51 p.m.
- Early stock gains evaporate 2:49 p.m.
- Online channel Vevo signs EMI Music 2:49 p.m.
- Pearl Harbor attack remembered 2:45 p.m.
- Al Pacino set to play Shylock 2:44 p.m.
- Letters: Liberal because LDS
274 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
253 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
196 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
190 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - Cougars going back to Vegas
139 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
138 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
117 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
113 - Letters: Global warming a lie
107
He's undeniably one of the toughest, fastest and most explosive running...
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting (perhaps speculating) that Utah...
I got some e-mail from Aggie fans regarding a column I wrote last week...
I hope that we never forget Pearl Harbor and the treachery involved. It will...
The Jazz have the same problem that has been plaguing them for years. They...
A few days ago someone asked me if I knew of a "LeBaron" who was hit by a car...
To: Break the law and get hurt" I don't think you're right about the...
Eager=Liar just like Plain
Some heterosexual couples cannot reproduce. You're right. But they are...
Al Pacino is no stranger to Shakespeare having completed a few movies...
Clearly, you didn't read this article. Chris Hill stated that security will...
How do you stop healthcare reform? Put Palin in charge of it and tell her it...
Best wishes for a bright and promising career in football. Colt seems like...



