RICHARDSON, Texas -
Three Hardin-Simmons football players - Josh Knox, Will Galusha and Jordan Neal -- received American Southwest Conference individual awards as voted on by the league's nine head coaches.
Quarterback Jordan Neal was named the offensive player of the year. The senior from Abilene Cooper passed for 2,317 yards and 24 touchdowns in nine games this year. Josh Knox, a senior center from Snyder, was named the offensive lineman of the year.
Will Galusha, a senior kick returner and receiver from Abilene Cooper, was the special teams player of the year after racking up 516 return yards this season.
Placekicker Scott Bryant and defensive tackle Chris Jones were named honorable mention All-ASC.
Other award winners included: Josh Kubiak, UMHB, defensive player of the year; Terrance Carroll, UMHB, defensive lineman of the year; Ben McLaughlin, Louisiana College, freshman of the year and Pete Fredenburg, UMHB, and Steve Wright, SRSU, co-coaches of the year.
HSU went 8-1 on the year and 6-1 in league play to finish second in the ASC. The Cowboys will play ASC champion Mary Hardin-Baylor in the NCAA Playoffs on Saturday in Belton.
2006 ASC FOOTBALL INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Year: Jordan Neal, QB, Sr., Hardin-Simmons University
Defensive Player of the Year: Josh Kubiak, FS, Sr., University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Josh Knox, C, Sr., Hardin-Simmons University
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Terrance Carroll, DT, Sr., University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Special Teams Player of the Year: Will Galusha, KR/PR, Sr., Hardin-Simmons University
Freshman of the Year: Ben McLaughlin, QB, Louisiana College
Co-Coach of the Year: Pete Fredenburg, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Co-Coach of the Year: Steve Wright, Sul Ross State University
