Dec. 9, 2008

Irving, Texas - The University of Tulsa had nine players earn all-conference recognition as announced today by the league office. The 2008 All-Conference USA football teams, as selected by the league's 12 head football coaches, included three Golden Hurricane players named to each of the first- and second-teams, while three freshmen earned all-Freshman Team accolades. The Hurricane also had 10 players named to the honorable mention squad.

Tulsa's first-team selections all came on the offensive side of the ball as running back Tarrion Adams, receiver Brennan Marion and guard Justin Morsey, all seniors, earned the recognition. Second-team accolades went to defensive end Moton Hopkins, safety James Lockett and kick returner Damaris Johnson.

In addition, Johnson was named to the all-freshman team as a receiver along with offensive tackle Tyler Holmes and safety DeAundre Brown.

Adams is the league's second-leading rusher with 1,316 yards and 11 touchdowns and will enter the GMAC Bowl needing just 93 yards to become the school's career rushing leader. Adams had seven 100+ rushing games this year including a school record 323 yards against Tulane.

The 2007 C-USA Newcomer of the Year, Marion earned first-team merits this season after catching 43 passes for a team-leading 1,112 yards and eight TDs. Offensive guard Justin Morsey has anchored a front line that has paved the way for Tulsa to lead the nation most of the season in total offense.

For the second consecutive year, Hopkins was selected to the all-league second team. The 6'3" senior defensive end has collected 75 tackles this season, including 12 stops for -49 yards.

True freshman Damaris Johnson has been an impact player for the Hurricane on offense and as a return specialist. He leads Conference USA in all-purpose yards with 2,201 yards for a 169.3 average. Johnson also has a C-USA leading 1,319 kickoff return yards and is third in average kick return yardage per game at 25.9. He has six games with over 100 yards in kickoff returns.

Johnson, who was also named to the all-freshman team as a receiver, has also caught a team-high 47 passes for 608 yards and a team-best nine touchdowns this year.

Holmes and Brown joined Johnson on the C-USA all-freshman team. Holmes has started all 13 games as a red-shirt freshman for the Hurricane, while Brown has started six contests in his true freshman season.

Holmes has graded over 80-percent in six games for the Hurricane, while Brown has been credited with 56 tackles, two interceptions and two pass-break-ups.

In addition, the Hurricane had 10 players earn honorable mention accolades. On offense, Tulsa's honorable mention selections included quarterback David Johnson, tackle Rod Thomas and receiver Damaris Johnson. Tulsa's defensive performers are end Wilson Garrison, linebacker Mike Bryan and defensive backs Roy Roberts and Kenny Sims. Special teams honors went to placekicker Jarod Tracy, punter Michael Such and deep snapper John Warren.

2008 C-USA FOOTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS

FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback - Chase Clement, Sr., Rice
Running Back- Damion Fletcher, Jr., Southern Miss
Running Back- Tarrion Adams, Sr., Tulsa
Offensive Lineman- Sebastian Vollmer, Sr., Houston
Offensive Lineman- Brandon Pearce, Sr., Memphis
Offensive Linemen- Troy Kropog, Sr., Tulane
Offensive Lineman - Justin Morsey, Sr., Tulsa
Offensive Lineman- Robby Felix, Jr, UTEP
Tight End- James Casey, So., Rice
Wide Receiver- Jarett Dillard, Sr., Rice
Wide Receiver- DeAndre Brown, Fr., Southern Miss
Wide Receiver- Brennan Marion, Sr., Tulsa
DEFENSE
Defensive Lineman- Phillip Hunt, Sr., Houston
Defensive Lineman- C.J. Wilson, Jr., East Carolina
Defensive Lineman- Albert McClellan, Jr., Marshall
Defensive Lineman- Clinton McDonald, Sr., Memphis
Linebacker- Gerald McRath, Jr., Southern Miss
Linebacker- Joe Henderson, Sr., UAB
Linebacker- Adam Vincent, Sr., UTEP
Defensive Back- Van Eskridge, Jr., East Carolina
Defensive Back- Kevin Sanders, Sr., UAB
Defensive Back- Sha'Reff Rashad, Sr., UCF
Defensive Back- Joe Burnett, Sr., UCF
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker- Jose Martinez, Jr., UTEP
Punter- Swayze Waters, Sr., UAB
Kick Returner- Jor Burnett, Sr., UCF
Punt Returner- Joe Burnett, Sr., UCF
Long Snapper- Craig Gelhardt, Sr., Tulane

SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback - Case Keenum, So., Houston
Running Back- Darius Marshall, So., Marshall
Running Back- Curtis Steele, Jr., Memphis
Offensive Lineman- Sean Allen, Jr., East Carolina
Offensive Lineman- Brian Leggett, Sr., Marshall
Offensive Lineman- David Berken, Sr., Rice
Offensive Lineman- Pat Brown, Sr., UCF
Offensive Lineman- Ryan McKee, Sr., Southern Miss
Tight End- Mark Hafner, Sr., Houston
Wide Receiver- Tyron Carrier, Fr., Houston
Wide Receiver- Darius Passmore, Sr., Marshall
Wide Receiver- Emmanuel Sanders, Jr., SMU
DEFENSE
Defensive Lineman- Anthony Gray, So., Southern Miss
Defensive Lineman- Moton Hopkins, Sr., Tulsa
Defensive Lineman- Bruce Miller, So., UCF
Defensive Lineman- Torrell Troup, Jr., UCF
Linebacker- Pierre Bell, Sr., East Carolina
Linebacker- Maurice Kitchens, Sr., Marshall
Linebacker- Brian Raines, Sr., Rice
Defensive Back- Kenneth Fontenette, Sr., Houston
Defensive Back- C.J. Spillman, Sr., Marshall
Defensive Back- James Lockett, Jr., Tulsa
Defensive Back- Eddie Hicks, Jr., Southern Miss
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker- Swayze Waters, Sr., UAB
Punter- Ross Thevenot, Jr., Tulane
Kick Returner - Damaris Johnson, Fr., Tulsa
Punt Returner- Josh Ferguson, Sr., UTEP
Long Snapper- Jeff Hamby, Sr., UAB

TULSA'S HONORABLE MENTION SELECTIONS
OFFENSE
Quarterback - David Johnson, Sr., Tulsa
Offensive Lineman- Rodrick Thomas, Sr., Tulsa
Wide Receiver- Damaris Johnson, Fr., Tulsa
DEFENSE
Defensive Lineman- Wilson Garrison, Jr., Tulsa
Linebacker- Mike Bryan, Jr., Tulsa
Defensive Back- Roy Roberts, Sr., Tulsa
Defensive Back- Kenny Sims, Jr., Tulsa
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker- Jarod Tracy, Sr., Tulsa
Punter- Michael Such, So., Tulsa
Long Snapper- John Warren, Sr., Tulsa