Fresno State Athletics
Andrews, Denman Selected All-WAC
12/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 4, 2006
FRESNO, Calif. - A pair of senior Bulldog players have been honored for their outstanding play this football season. Right tackle Chris Denman and linebacker Dwayne Andrews were voted to the first-team All-WAC squad win balloting by the head coaches of the Western Athletic Conference.
Denman, a former walk-on who started the last 43 games of his career, led a Fresno State offensive line that opened holes for a back that rushed for more than 1,400 yards and set Bulldog record for fewest quarterback sacks.
Andrews led the Dogs in tackles for the second time in his career. He had 87 tackles, 6.5 for losses and recovered a fumble.
Inexplicably, running back Dwayne Wright was not selected to the All-WAC first-team. Wright rushed for 1,462 yards and scored 12 touchdowns this season. He ranks No. 8 in the NCAA in rushing yards, but was selected to the All-WAC second-team.
Joining Wright on the second team are senior safety Josh Sherley and junior defensive end Tyler Clutts.
Sherley had 83 tackles in his senior season, second to Andrews for most on the team, and was selected the team's Most Inspirational Player.
Clutts had nine tackles for losse and five quarterback sacks. He had two games this season in which he had two quarterback sacks, including against No. 4 LSU.
"I'm pleased for Chris and Dwayne," said head coach Pat Hill. "They certainly had great years and were very consistent. They have been model student-athletes and will be successful in life. I'm disappointed for Dwayne Wright. He had a heck of a season and is a fine young man. No one on the All-WAC team had to overcome as much as he did. Josh Sherley is a player I'm going to miss. He's a tough guy and has a great work ethic. I'm glad the other WAC coaches recognized that. Tyler Clutts plays with great passion and he will be a leader for us in 2007."
Denman's selection to the All-WAC team continued a trend of Bulldog walk-ons who have earned All-WAC honors. In 2005 Garrett McIntyre was selected the WAC Defensive Player of the Year in addition to being named first team All-WAC. Running back Wendell Mathis, also a walk-on, rushed for more than 1,300 yards and was selected first-team All-WAC.
In 2004 Logan Mankins, now a starting guard with the New England Patriots, was also selected All-WAC. Former Bulldog safety Cameron Worrell of the Chicago Bears, a walk-on from Chowcilla, Calif., was selected to the All-WAC team in 2002.
"Our walk-on program continues to produce some outstanding players," said Hill. "Chris is another example of a young man who came through our program as a walk-on, earned a scholarship and had great success on the field."
Hawai`i led the league with nine first-team all-WAC honorees, while Boise State placed seven on the first team.
Hawai`i's Colt Brennan was named the Offensive Player of the Year, Boise State's Korey Hall earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, and Utah State linebacker Paul Igboeli was named the Freshman of the Year. Hawai`i's June Jones was voted the WAC's Coach of the Year.
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