RUSTON (Dec. 16) - Louisiana Tech true freshman quarterback Luke McCown ran away with the Freshman of the Year honors on the 2000 All-Louisiana team voted on by members of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
The Bulldogs also placed four players on the first team, two offensive and two defensive, while McCown joined two other Tech teammates on the second team.
Senior wide receiver James Jordan, senior offensive lineman Terrance Sykes, junior rover Bobby Gray and sophomore defensive lineman Carlin Thomas were all voted to the first team, while McCown, junior running back John Simon and senior tight end David Newman grabbed spots on the second team.
McCown threw for 21 touchdowns and 2,544 yards in only seven starts for Tech, while setting four Division I freshman single game passing records, including most pass attempts, most completions, most plays and most touchdown passes. McCown also recorded five 300-plus yard passing game and three 400-plus yard passing games.
Jordan led the nation in receptions in 2000, hauling in 109 passes for 1003 yards and four touchdowns, while also ranking No. 28 in the country in yards per game (83.3). The New Orleans native recorded at least four catches in every game, while registering six games of 10 or more catches.
Sykes, who also earned Football News All-Independent honors, anchored a Tech offensive line that returned only one starter and allowed Bulldog quarterbacks to pass for 3,715 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Thomas recorded 56 tackles, including 36 solo stops, from his defensive end position, while tying for the team lead two interceptions, five tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and seven pass breakups. The Ferriday, La., native recorded both interceptions against Miami (Fla) quarterback Ken Dorsey, who entered the contest with only two career interceptions in almost two years.
Gray, considered Tech's most dominating defensive player, led the Bulldogs with 109 tackles, including 82 solo tackles, in only 10 games. The Aldine, Texas, native, who missed two games with an injury, registered six games of 10 or more tackles, including a season-best 18 stops against Hawaii. Gray also recorded 10 or more stops against Top 25 teams Auburn, Miami and Kansas State.
Simon joined LSU tailback LaBrandon Toefield on the second team after rushing for 565 yards on 109 carries and snaring 72 passes for 711 yards and four scores. The Baton Rouge native was Tech's most versatile offensive threat also returning punts and kickoffs for a combined 419 yards.
Newman recorded a career-high 23 catches for 212 yards and two touchdowns this season, including scoring grabs against Middle Tennessee and Auburn. The St. Joseph's, La., native recorded at least one catch in nine games and was also an integral part in pass protecting for Tech quarterbacks.
LSU led the way with eight first team selections and 11 honorees overall. Tulane placed five players on the first team and 12 overall, while Tech was third with four first-teamers and seven overall selections.
Tiger wide receiver Josh Reed earned Offensive Player of the Year honors, while teammate Trev Faulk received Defensive Player of the Year accolades. LSU first year head coach Nick Saban was named Coach of the Year, and Northwestern State's Kelvin Sherrod as named the Newcomer of the Year.
