Tulane Places Four on All-Conference USA Team
Dec 5, 2001 | Football
Dec. 5, 2001
NEW ORLEANS - Lou Groza Award Winner and first-team All-American Seth Marler, record-setting running back Mewelde Moore and offensive line stalwart Torie Taulli headline a list of eight Tulane players selected to the 2001 All-Conference USA and C-USA All-Freshman teams announced Wednesday. Head coaches of the 10 league football teams and media members from each conference city voted on the squads.
Marler, a junior kicker from Lilburn, Ga., hit his first 54 kicks of the season (15 field goals and 39 PATs) before missing a three-pointer at Navy. He was named a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America last week, the first Tulane player to earn the accolade in 15 seasons. He followed that by being named the winner of the 10th Lou Groza Collegiate Place-kicker Award Tuesday night in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Moore posted the best season by a Tulane running back in school history, breaking school and C-USA records for rushing and all-purpose yards in the process. The sophomore from Baton Rouge gained 1,421 yards on 262 carries on the season and added a team-leading 65 receptions for 756 yards. His 15 touchdowns rank second all-time at Tulane and he is the first player in NCAA Division I-A history to rush for over 1,250 yards and catch more than 60 passes in the same season.
Taulli led the way for the most successful offense in Conference USA as the senior graded out to an 87% average for the season. The three-year starter from Harvey, La. was credited with 36 knockdown blocks on the year and allowed just one sack in 511 passing plays and 926 total plays.
"It's obvious how much those three guys meant to our offensive production this year," said Wave Head Coach Chris Scelfo. "We're fortunate to have two of those guys (Moore and Marler) back next year, and Torie certainly had an excellent year and is very deserving of the honor."
In addition to the three first-teamers, sophomore wide receiver Roydell Williams (LaPlace, La.) was a second-team all-league choice. He led Tulane in receiving yards with 886 and caught 11 touchdown passes, the fourth-highest single season total in school history.
The Green Wave was represented on the Conference USA All-Freshman squad by tight end Bobby Hoover (Katy, Texas), defensive end Jay Ashton (Monroe, La.), and linebackers Brandon Spincer (New Orleans) and Tra Boger (Decatur, Ga.). Hoover was Tulane's starting tight end throughout the 2001 season and caught 15 passes for 137 yards. Ashton caused four fumbles and recorded five sacks to tie for second on the team. Spincer and Boger, who started seven games each, tallied 65 and 60 stops, respectively, and each had three tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and a sack. Boger scored on a 25-yard interception return versus TCU.
"All four of those guys contributed greatly to our team this year," Scelfo said. "I expect all four to grow and to continue to improve as their careers develop."
With three selections on the All-C-USA first team, Tulane trailed only league champion Louisville in number of first-team players. Tulane's four All-Freshman choices were second to Southern Miss' five.
