Ap All-America Honors WSU Stars Two UW Linemen Join Manning Among First-Team Selections

Ryan Leaf, Washington State University’s Heisman Trophy candidate, has been named second-team quarterback and teammate Leon Bender has been honored as a third-team defensive lineman on the Associated Press All-America football team announced Tuesday.

University of Washington offensive linemen Olin Kreutz and Benji Olson were voted to the first team headed by Heisman Trophy favorite Peyton Manning, the stylish quarterback who led Tennessee to the Southeastern Conference title.

A pair of game-breakers - Michigan’s Charles Woodson and Marshall’s Randy Moss - also were among the first-team selections.

Leaf, a junior from Great Falls, Mont., completed 210 of 375 passes for 3,637 yards with 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as WSU won a share of the Pacific-10 Conference title and a date with Michigan in the Rose Bowl. The third-rated quarterback in the nation, Leaf set Pac-10 one-season records for TD passes and yardage.

Bender is a 6-5, 308-pound senior from Santee, Calif. The highly quotable defensive end, and UCLA defensive back Larry Atkins were the only West Coast defenders on the third team.

Olson is a 6-foot-4, 310-pound offensive guard from Port Orchard, Wash. UW teammate Kreutz, a junior center from Honolulu, also was honored Tuesday as a winner of the Morris Trophy that goes to the Pac-10’s outstanding offensive and defensive linemen.

Manning, who opted to play his senior season rather than jump to the NFL, directed Tennessee’s thirdranked Vols to an 11-1 record and Orange Bowl matchup against No. 2 Nebraska, with a possible national title on the line. The 6-foot-5, 222-pound son of former pro quarterback Archie Manning, completed 287 of 477 passes for 3,819 yards and 36 touchdowns.

Woodson, Michigan’s cornerback/ receiver/punt returner, may have been the nation’s most exciting player this season. Also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy that is awarded to the nation’s top college player, Woodson had seven interceptions and four touchdowns - two on pass receptions, one on a 33-yard reverse and the other a 78-yard punt return.

Moss, a flashy wide receiver, set an NCAA record with 25 touchdown catches, including three in last week’s 34-14 victory over Toledo in the Mid-American Conference title game. The 6-5, 210-pound sophomore caught 90 passes for 1,647 yards - an average of 18.3 yards per catch.

Also making the team were a trio of North Carolina defenders - end Greg Ellis, linebacker Brian Simmons and cornerback Dre’ Bly. The threesome helped the Tar Heels finish with the nation’s second-ranked defense, behind Michigan.

The defense has an Atlantic Coast Conference flavor, with end Andre Wadsworth and linebacker Sam Cowart of Florida State and linebacker Anthony Simmons of Clemson joining the Carolina trio.

The team was selected by a nine-person panel of AP member sportswriters and AP sportscasters.

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