Marshall wideout Tyre Brady successfully dives for a touchdown during a Sept. 8 football contest against Eastern Kentucky at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, W.Va.
Bryan Walters|OVP Sports
Marshall safety Malik Gant (29) makes a tackle during a Sept. 8 football contest against Eastern Kentucky at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, W.Va. (Bryan Walters|OVP Sports)
Bryan Walters|OVP Sports
Marshall long snapper Matt Beardall (89) has a clean snap during a PAT kick against UTSA on Nov. 17 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, W.Va. (Bryan Walters|OVP Sports)
Bryan Walters|OVP Sports
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall had 11 players chosen to the 2018 All-Conference USA football teams, as voted on by the coaches within the East and West divisions.
The Thundering Herd (8-4) tied Florida International with a 6-2 mark in CUSA East Division play, forcing a two-way tie for the runner-up spot. Middle Tennessee won the East Division with a 7-1 record.
MU had four first-team selections and another three picks apiece in the second team and honorable mention ranks, plus had one freshman come away with a share of a pretty high accolade.
Wide receiver Tyre Brady earned first team honors for a second consecutive postseason, while offensive lineman Levi Brown and defensive back Malik Gant — a pair of second team selections a year ago — earned first team accolades. Matt Beardall was also a first team honoree as a long-snapper.
Defensive linemen Ryan Bee and Ty Tyler were second team selections, as was defensive back Chris Jackson.
Tight end Armani Levias, wideout Marcel Williams and linebacker Chase Hancock were honorable mention choices on behalf of the Herd.
Quarterback Isaiah Green shared Freshman of the Year honors with Florida Atlantic quarterback Chris Robison.
Brent Stockstill of Middle Tennessee State was named the CUSA Most Valuable Player, while Mason Fine of North Texas was the Offensive Player of the Year. Jaylon Ferguson of Louisiana Tech was the Defensive Player of the Year.
Rick Stockstill of MTSU was chosen as the CUSA Coach of the Year and Jack Fox of Rice was the Special Teams Player of the Year. James Morgan of Florida International was named the conference’s top newcomer.
West Division champion Alabama-Birmingham won the Conference USA championship with a 27-25 decision at MTSU.
Marshall will face South Florida (7-5) in the 2018 Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20.
2018 All-Conference USA Football Teams
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Brent Stockstill, MTSU.
RB: Devin Singletary, FAU; Spencer Brown, UAB.
OL: Reggie Bain, FAU; O’Shea Dugas, La. Tech; Levi Brown, Marshall; Chandler Brewer, MTSU; Justice Powers, UAB.
TE: Harrison Bryant, FAU.
WR: Tyre Brady, Marshall; Rico Bussey, N. Texas; Quez Watkins, S. Miss..
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Alex Highsmith, Charlotte; Jaylon Ferguson, La. Tech; LaDarius Hamilton, N. Texas; Oshane Ximines, ODU; Jacques Turner, S. Miss..
LB: Sage Lewis, FIU; Darius Harris, MTSU; EJ Ejiya, N. Texas.
DB: Amik Robertson, La. Tech; Malik Gant, Marshall; Reed Blankenship, MTSU; Kemon Hall, N. Texas.
FIRST TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Cole Hedlund, N. Texas.
P: Jack Fox, Rice.
KR: Isaiah Harper, ODU.
PR: Maurice Alexander, FIU.
LS: Matt Beardall, Marshall.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Mason Fine, N. Texas.
RB: Benny LeMay, Charlotte; DeAndre Torrey, N. Texas.
OL: Nate Davis, Charlotte; Jordan Budwig, FIU; Rishard Cook, UAB; James Davis, UAB; Malique Johnson, UAB; Miles Pate, WKU.
TE: Mik’Quan Deane, WKU.
WR: Adrian Hardy, La. Tech; Jonathan Duhart, ODU; Travis Fulgham, ODU.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Ryan Bee, Marshall; Ty Tyler, Marshall; Jamell Garcia-Williams, UAB; Anthony Rush, UAB.
LB: Juwan Foggie, Charlotte; Khalil Brooks, MTSU; A.J. Hotchkins, UTEP.
DB: Jalen Young, FAU; Chris Jackson, Marshall; Wesley Bush, MTSU; Nate Brooks, N. Texas; Ky’el Hemby, S. Miss..
SECOND TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Jonathan Cruz, Charlotte; Parker Shaunfield, S. Miss..
P: Stone Wilson, FIU.
KR: Kerrith Whyte, FAU.
PR: Isaiah Harper, ODU.
LS: Grant Merka, UTSA.
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE
QB: James Morgan, FIU; J’Mar Smith, La. Tech; Blake LaRussa, ODU.
RB: Anthony Jones, FIU; Kerrith Whyte, FAU; Jaqwis Dancy, La. Tech; Austin Walter, Rice; Winston Dimel, UTEP.
OL: Dallas Connell, FIU; D’Ante Demery, FIU; Shane McGough, FIU; Brandon Walton, FAU; Ethan Reed, La. Tech; Michael Rodriguez, La. Tech; Kody Russey, La. Tech; Robert Behanan, MTSU; Josh Fannin, MTSU; Manase Mose, N. Texas; Sosaia Mose, N. Texas; Sam Pierce, Rice; Arvin Fletcher, S. Miss.; Bobby DeHaro, UTEP.
TE: Chris Phillips, Charlotte; Armani Levias, Marshall; Jay’shawn Washington, S. Miss.; David Lucero, UTEP.
WR: Austin Maloney FIU; Jovon Durante, FAU; Teddy Veal, La. Tech; Marcel Williams, Marshall; Ty Lee, MTSU; Aaron Cephus, Rice; Austin Trammell, Rice; Tim Jones, S. Miss.; Xavier Ubosi, UAB; Lucky Jackson, WKU.
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE
DL: Tyriq Harris, Charlotte; Noah Curtis, FIU; Anthony Johnson, FIU; Jordan Bradford, La. Tech; Immanuel Turner, La. Tech; Jahmal Jones, MTSU; Malik Manciel, MTSU; Rakavian Poydras, MTSU; Zach Abercrumbia, Rice; Roe Wilkins, Rice; LaDarius Harris, S. Miss.; Garrett Marino, UAB; Quindarius Thagard, UAB; Chris Richardson, UTEP; Kevin Strong, UTSA; Juwuan Jones, WKU; DeAngelo Malone, WKU.
LB: Rashad Smith, FAU; Collin Scott, La. Tech; Chase Hancock, Marshall; DQ Thomas, MTSU; Brandon Garner, N. Texas; Anthony Ekpe, Rice; Racheem Boothe, S. Miss.; Sherrod Ruff, S. Miss.; Chris Woolbright, UAB; Jamar Smith, UTEP; Josiah Tauaefa, UTSA; Ben Holt, WKU; Masai Whyte, WKU.
DB: Ben DeLuca, Charlotte; Richard Dames, FIU; Stantley Thomas-Oliver, FIU; Shelton Lewis, FAU; James Jackson, La. Tech; L’Jarius Sneed, La. Tech; Darryl Randolph, MTSU; Khairi Muhammad, N. Texas; Picasso Nelson, S. Miss.; Ty Williams, S. Miss.; Mar’Sean Diggs, UAB; Brontae Harris, UAB; Broderick Thomas, UAB; Nik Needham, UTEP; C.J. Levine, UTSA; Ta’Corian Darden, WKU; Drell Greene, WKU; Devon Key, WKU.
HONORABLE MENTION SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Jose Borregales, FIU; Bailey Hale, La. Tech; Hayden Tabola, Rice; Jared Sackett, UTSA.
P: Matt Bonadies, MTSU; Alvin Kenworthy, N. Texas; Mitchell Crawford, UTEP; Yannis Routsas, UTSA.
KR: Austin Maloney, FIU; DeAndre Torrey, N. Texas; Austin Walter, Rice.
PR: Teddy Veal, La. Tech; Keegan Brewer, N. Texas.
LS: – Tommy Zotus, FIU; Reeves Blankenship, La. Tech; Nate Durham, N. Texas.
Bryan Walters can be reached at 740-446-2342, ext. 2101.
