Nov. 19, 2007

NCC Release in PDF Format

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University middle linebacker Shane Simmons (Sr., Kent/Kentlake) was a first-team pick and running back Craig Garner (So., Tacoma/Lakes) and defensive end Ryan Conwell (Sr., Kent/Kentwood) were second-team choices on the North Central Conference Football All-Star Team announced today.

All three players were second-team all-league selections last year.

Six Vikings received honorable mention. They were punter Corbin Anderson (Sr., Veradale/University), outside linebacker Caleb Jessup (So., Kenmore/Inglemoor), placekicker Josh Lider (So., Bellevue/Sammamish), wide receiver Travis McKee (Jr., Bothell), offensive center Dan Trask (Jr., Aberdeen) and cornerback Anthony Rosso (Jr., Walla Walla).

Simmons led the NCC and ranked fourth nationally in total tackles (125), averaging 12.5 per game. He also ranked ninth nationally in solo stops with 63.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Simmons had double-figure stops in nine of 10 games. That included a career-high 18 versus Minnesota Duluth when he was named co-NCC Defensive Player of the Week.

In Western's 18-15 win over St. Cloud State, Simmons forced a fumble in the final seconds after the Huskies drove inside the WWU 25-yard line. He also had 11 tackles and a fumble recovery in the Vikings' 28-21 upset of NCAA Division I-FCS UC Davis.

A preseason D2Football.com second-team All-American, Simmons also was listed as one of the website's 15 Pro Hopefuls.

Garner came within 11 yards of becoming Western's first 1,000-yard rusher since 1996, finishing with 989 yards despite missing one game with injury. The 5-6, 160-pounder averaged 4.2 yards per carry and 109.9 yards per game.

Garner scored a team-high 54 points with nine touchdowns, eight rushing and one pass-receiving. He had 1,413 all-purpose yards with 386 on kickoff returns (20.3 average, 19 returns) and 38 pass-receiving (seven receptions).

Garner had five 100-yard rushing games, running for a career-highs of 192 yards and a school record-tying four touchdowns against North Dakota. Conwell was credited with 23 tackles, 5.5 for losses of 16 yards. The 6-5, 235-pounder also forced a fumble and returned another fumble 70 yards for a touchdown.

Anderson averaged 36.6 yards on 59 punts, putting 18 inside the 20 and having 22 fair caught. His long of 79 yards was a school record, and he had another that went 78 yards.

Jessup was second on the team with 60 tackles, and Lider connected on 9-of-14 field goals, tying the school record with eight straight, as he scored 38 points (11-of-12 on PATs). McKee caught 43 passes for 381 yards and three touchdowns, leading the squad in all three categories. Rosso had 27 tackles and a team-best four pass interceptions.

Western finished 2-8 overall and tied for eighth in the NCC with a 1-7 record.