Senior wide receiver Desmond Smith and senior all-purpose player Jatavious Wilson led Central Arkansas' All-Southland Conference selections announced Tuesday.
Smith and Wilson were named to the Southland's first team along with junior offensive lineman Stockton Mallett, senior defensive back Tyler Williams, junior defensive backs Tremon Smith and George Odum, and senior defensive lineman Jordan Toliver.
Junior quarterback Hayden Hildebrand, sophomore offensive lineman John Austin Cook, junior defensive lineman Cardell Best, senior defensive back Devin Spurlock and junior punter Patrick Ponder were named to the second team.
Honorable mention selections for UCA included senior tight end/H-back Cody Dauksch, defensive lineman Terrence Partee and Chris Terrell, Smith at punt returner and Wilson as a wide receiver.
Smith has caught 61 passes for 808 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Wilson set school records for career all-purpose yards (5,487), career kickoff returns (117) and career kickoff returns (2,804).
Williams leads UCA with four interceptions and has defended 24 passes, leading the Southland. Smith is tied for third in the conference with 13 passes defended. Odum is the Bears' leading tackler with 74 tackles, including 7 1/2 for a loss and 2 1/2 sacks.
Toliver has helped anchor a UCA defense that has allowed 67.9 rushing yards and 20.6 points per game, both tops in the conference.
Mallett is part of an offensive line that has helped the Bears average 448.6 yards per game (second in the Southland).
UCA (9-2) hosts Illinois State in the first round of the NCAA FCS playoffs at 2 p.m. Saturday at Estes Stadium in Conway.
Hendrix's Winn wins conference honor
Hendrix senior running back Dayton Winn was named the Southern Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Winn, from Pea Ridge, rushed for 1,372 yards and 22 touchdowns on 174 carries. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry and 137.2 yards per game. He also had 33 receptions for 298 yards and 1 touchdown, 85 punt return yards and 1 score, and 133 yards on kick returns. Winn ranked third in the nation in yards per carry, rushing touchdowns and scoring.
Winn, senior quarterback Seth Peters, junior wide receiver Nate Hodapp, senior offensive lineman Brooks Billings, senior defensive end Gray Stanton and senior defensive end Tyler Clifton were named to the All-SAA first team. Senior offensive lineman Trent Middleton and junior safety Michael Kramer were selected to the second team.
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ASU's Thomas SBC player of the week
Arkansas State senior guard Donte Thomas was named the Sun Belt Conference player of the week.
Thomas helped the Red Wolves defeat Georgetown, Army and Tennessee-Chattanooga. He had 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in ASU's 78-72 victory last Thursday at Georgetown. In three games, Thomas averaged 13 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists.
Sports on 11/23/2016