JOHNSON IS DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, BOWDEN IS CO-COACH OF THE YEAR

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- After posting a 10-1 regular-season record and winning the Gulf South Conference championship, 17 member of the University of North Alabama’s football team have been selected for All-GSC honors in voting by the league’s head coaches.

 

In addition, UNA senior linebacker Michael Johnson was chosen GSC Defensive Player of the Year and UNA head football coach Terry Bowden was named GSC Co-Coach of the Year. The selection of 17 UNA players is the most ever from the school, topping the 16 Lions selected in 2008. The nine first-team selections in second only to the 11 Lions chosen for first-team honors in 1995.

Bowden returned to coaching this season after 11-years in broadcasting and picked up where he left off. He led UNA to a 10-1 record, a GSC crown, a No. 5 national ranking and the top seed in the Division II Super Regional 2. He shares the GSC honor with Arkansas Tech head coach Steve Mullins. It is the first time in the 39-year history of the GSC that the football coaching honor has been split. In his last head coaching position at Auburn University, Bowden received numerous National Coach of the Year awards in 1993 after leading the Tigers to a perfect 11-0 season.

Johnson, a Panama City, Fla., native, follows in the footsteps of one of the school’s legendary players as the GSC Defensive Player of the Year. The senior is the first UNA player to claim the accolade since College Football Hall of Fame linebacker Ronald McKinnon won honors in 1994 and 1995. Johnson is UNA’s fifth overall winner and he is also the fifth straight linebacker to win the award. He has spearheaded the Lions to the league title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Playoffs. North Alabama’s defense is tops in the league in scoring defense, pass defense and total defense. The Panama City, FL native ranks fifth in tackles for loss (1.18) and fumbles forced (tied, 0.27) and sixth in tackles (8.4). He has made 344 tackles during his career at UNA and is a four-time All-GSC selection.

Joining Johnson on the first-team All-GSC squad from UNA are senior wide receiver Mico McSwain of Richton, Miss., senior wide receiver T.J. Porter of Pahokee, Fla., senior offensive tackle Calvin Wilson of Hattiesburg, Miss., senior defensive tackle Montrell Craft of Memphis, Tenn., senior linebacker Nicholas Walker of Memphis, Tenn., senior defensive back Quinton Andrews of Miami, Fla., senior punter Will Batson of Killen, Ala., and senior place kicker Kenny Spencer of Glenwood, Iowa.

UNA also placed eight players on the second-team All-GSC squad with four on offense and four on defense.

Chosen for second-team All-GSC honors from UNA are senior quarterback Harrison Beck of Clearwater, Fla., senior running back Tim Hicks of Millry, Ala., sophomore running back Marcus Sims of Tallahassee, Fla., senior wide receiver Preston Parker of Delray Beach, Fla., senior defensive end Brandon Fanney of Morristown, Tenn., senior safety J.J. Johnson of Seat Pleasant, Mary., senior cornerback Jason Tate of Orlando, Fla., and junior cornerback Chad Daniel of Sipsey, Ala.

North Alabama will host a second round NCAA Division II playoff game at Braly Stadium on November 21 against the winner of the Arkansas Tech-North Carolina Pembroke game. Kickoff is set for noon.


UNA PLAYERS ON 2009 ALL-GSC FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

WR Mico McSwain North Alabama 6-2 205 JR Richton, MS
WR T.J. Porter North Alabama 6-1 195 SR Pahokee, FL
T Calvin Wilson North Alabama 6-6 353 SR Hattiesburg, MS

DEFENSE
DL Montrell Craft North Alabama 6-2 250 SR Memphis, TN
LB Mike Johnson North Alabama 6-4 250 SR Panama City, FL
LB Nick Walker North Alabama 6-2 240 SR Memphis, TN
DB Quinton Andrews North Alabama 5-11 206 SR Miami, FL

SPECIAL TEAMS
K Kenny Spencer North Alabama 6-1 200 SR Glenwood, IA
P Will Batson North Alabama 6-4 210 SR Killen, AL

2009 ALL-GSC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB Harrison Beck North Alabama 6-2 220 SR Clearwater, FL
RB Tim Hicks North Alabama 5-0 180 SR Millry, AL
RB Marcus Sims North Alabama 6-0 223 SO Tallahassee, FL
WR Preston Parker North Alabama 6-0 200 SR Delray Beach, FL

DEFENSE

DL Brandon Fanney North Alabama 6-4 257 SR Morristown, TN
DB J.J. Johnson North Alabama 6-1 190 SR Seat Pleasant, MD
DB Jason Tate North Alabama 5-10 182 SR Orlando, FL
DB Chad Daniel North Alabama 5-10 170 JR Sipsey, AL