Western Courier

Issue date: 12/1/04 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Joe Nichols Senior James Norris recieved First-Team All-Conference honors as a return specialist and honorable mention as a wide reciever.

Nine Western Illinois University student-athletes were selected to the Gateway Football All-Conference Team, including first-team selections running back Travis Glasford, offensive lineman Fred Layne and return specialist James Norris. Linebacker Wyatt Green and defensive back Michael Woods earned second-team bids while wide receiver Reggie Gray, place-kicker Justin Langan, wide receiver Norris and defensive lineman Pat Ryan were named to the honorable mention list.

Southern Illinois University quarterback Joel Sambursky was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year, and Illinois State University linebacker Boomer Grigsby became the first player in conference history to win three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards. Southern's Jerry Kill earned his second straight Coach of the Year Award.

Glasford led the Leathernecks in rushing (108.0 ypg), receptions (46 for 464 yards) and scoring (11 rushing TD, 3 receiving TD) during his junior campaign. He recorded four 100-yard rushing games and a pair of 200-yard games, and became the only player in school history to record 100 rushing and receiving yards in the same game (vs. Indiana State University). He recorded more receiving yards than any running back in school history and ranked among the nation's Top 20 in rushing, all-purpose yardage and scoring. Glasford, who was one of two first-team running backs, ranked second in the league in rushing, third in receptions per game, and led the league in all-purpose yards (154.4 ypg). This marks his second all-conference honor, having been selected to the second team last year.

Layne started 10 games at left guard on his way to a third consecutive first-team selection. The senior allowed just one sack and graded out at an average of 90 percent on pass plays. Layne also was a 2003 Associated Press and Sports Network All-America recipient, and a 2002 and 2003 all-Gateway first-team member. Only two other players in school history (Gunnard Twyner, 1993-95 and Mike Scifres, 2000-02) have earned three first-team all-Gateway honors.

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