Armstrong first team All-Pac-10 selection

PULLMAN – Not surprisingly, the biggest accolades of all went to the teams at the top, USC and California. But as a 5-6 seventh-place team in the Pac-10, Washington State is well represented with 10 players earning all-conference honors from the league’s head football coaches.

Leading the WSU group is senior offensive tackle Calvin Armstrong, who was the lone Cougar to be given first-team All-Pac-10 status. For Armstrong, this represents a major rebound – after making the first team as a sophomore in 2002, he garnered an honorable mention last season.

“Last year was a learning year and he didn’t play as well,” coach Bill Doba said. “He redeemed himself this year. He should be very proud of the fact that he was first team.”

USC’s Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart shared offensive player of the year honors, and Trojan Shaun Cody, as well as Oregon State’s Bill Swancutt, tied for defensive player of the year, an award named for Pat Tillman. California’s Jeff Tedford won coach of the year, and Arizona State tight end Zach Miller was honored as the conference’s top freshman.

The Trojans and Bears led the conference with 18 players on the all-conference team, but Doba said his team’s 10 was respectable given the Cougars’ tough year.

“We should be proud of the fact that with a losing season they were still recognized for their efforts and their contribution,” he said. “I told the team before every practice, we spell out T-E-A-M – Together Everybody Accomplishes More. And two years ago we had 16 on the team, last year 17.”

Four Cougars were voted onto the conference’s second team: Another senior offensive tackle, Sam Lightbody; junior middle linebacker Will Derting, who was a preseason All-American on some lists; sophomore wide receiver Jason Hill, who set a school record with 12 touchdown catchers; and true freshman punt returner Michael Bumpus, who took two kicks back for scores.

Bumpus also was named to the Rivals.com Freshman All-America first team Monday as a utility player for his versatility catching passes, running and returning punts.

At least two votes from conference coaches qualify one for honorable mention, and five Cougars earned that distinction – senior cornerback Karl Paymah, junior punter Kyle Basler, junior running back Jerome Harrison, junior center Nick Mihlhauser and sophomore linebacker Scott Davis.

For Armstrong and the other Cougars, the honor was somewhat bittersweet as WSU missed qualifying for a bowl for the first time in four seasons.

“It’s an honor, both times I got it, and I’m definitely excited,” Armstrong said. “(But) if it came right down to it, I’d rather not have it and win more games.”