CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat UA sophomore running back Mike Bell, who is currently third in the Pac-10 in rushing, was named to the All-Pac-10 second team yesterday. He also was named team MVP and offensive MVP.

Sophomore named All-Pac-10, team MVP

UA sophomore tailback Mike Bell received three awards in less than 24 hours.

Bell was named to the All-Pacific 10 Conference second team yesterday, as selected in voting by the league's coaches. He was also named the team's Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Offensive Player for the 2003 season at the UA football awards banquet Sunday night.

Bell rushed for 920 yards on 168 carries this year, an average of 5.5 yards per attempt. He could finish third in the league in rushing, depending on the success of a couple of players behind him who have bowl game appearances on the horizon.

Sophomore safety Darrell Brooks, sophomore defensive end Marcus Smith, junior center Keoki Fraser and senior linebacker Joe Siofele all earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention recognition.

It was the second time only one Arizona player was selected in all-league balloting. In 1981, it was linebacker Ricky Hunley, a first-team selection, who represented Arizona.

This was the first year Arizona has not placed a player on the All-Pac-10 first team.The Wildcats had their highest total - six players - named first-team all-league, in 1994.

Bell's career total of 1,261 yards puts him on track to crack the Arizona career top-10 rushing list next season. Scatback Eddie Wolgast rushed for 2,022 yards from 1945-50 and holds the No. 10 spot.

Senior linebacker Joe Siofele, who led the team with 7.5 tackles for losses and finished second on the team with 84 tackles overall, was named the team's Most Valuable Defensive Player. Senior cornerback Gary Love earned the team's Most Valuable Special Teams Player Award, finishing the season with 49 tackles.

All four of the MVP honors, along with the UA's captain awards, are picked by the players.

The Wildcats elected Love, senior linebacker Clay Hardt and senior offensive lineman Reggie Sampay as the team's captains for the season. Hardt (defense), Love (special teams) and Sampay (offense) were all four-year lettermen.

Junior center Keoki Fraser won the team's Martin Gentry Lineman of the Year Award for offense, while sophomore defensive end Marcus Smith earned the Martin Gentry Award on the defensive side.

The Coach's Recognition Award for outstanding performance and team leadership by a senior was given to offensive tackle Brandon Phillips. Senior defensive tackle Carl Tuitavuki earned the Golden "A" Award for exemplary leadership, citizenship and overall effort in team contributions.

Senior linebacker Matt Molina was honored with the Jim Ewing Memorial Award for superior character and scholastic performance, while redshirt freshman place kicker Nicholas Folk earned the Undergraduate Academics Award for the best grade point average and classroom excellence.

True freshman quarterback Kris Heavner received the Offensive Newcomer of the Year Award, while true freshman tackle Clifton Stanford earned the Defensive Newcomer of the Year honor.

Heavner took over as Arizona's starting quarterback after four games, and he was one of only six other true freshmen around the country to have started for a Division I-A team this season. In his first season, Heavner completed 121-of-237 passes (51 percent) for 1,501 yards. He threw for eight touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Champion Player of the Year Awards for outstanding performances on scout teams went to freshman tight end Matt Richards for offense, freshman defensive lineman Bobby Kaspar for defense and sophomore wide receiver Chris Landauer for special teams.