Pac-10 coaches honor Arizona's best

Matt Heistand Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior wide receiver Jeremy McDaniel (15) prepares for a hand-off from senior quarterback Chris McAlister (11) during the Arizona State game. McDaniel was named to second team All-Conference and finished the season with 58 catches, 916 yards and nine touchdowns.

But when the football team goes 11-1 in a conference as tough as the Pacific 10 and the players perform at 100 percent everyday in practice and in games, the opposing coaches and players will notice and respect it.

A football team can only start 11 players on each side of the ball, as well as a punter and kicker, and 15 of those 24 players were named first, second or honorable mention All-Pac-10 for Arizona by the Pac-10 coaches.

"We gained a lot of respect this year and it is about time," said senior wide receiver Jeremy McDaniel (58 catches, 916 yards and nine touchdowns), who made second team All-Conference. "We worked hard enough for it. The players just stayed together all year long."

Senior cornerback Chris McAlister (5 interceptions, 15 passes broken up) garnered his third consecutive All-Conference award, this time as a unanimous selection, to the first team. Joining him on the first team were junior offensive right guard Yusuf Scott, senior defensive tackle Daniel Greer (38 tackles, 9 sacks), junior running back Trung Canidate (1,220 yards, 10 touchdowns) and junior inside linebacker Marcus Bell (139 tackles, three sacks).

"We are really represented with the number of guys who are real deserving," UA head coach Dick Tomey said. "It is a great honor because the other coaches do the picking. It reflects what I thought of the team."

Canidate, who finished the season as the leading rusher in the Pac-10, said, "It's a great feeling. A bunch of players deserve the award. We had togetherness and talent. I think it's attributed to the whole system that Coach Tomey, (Dino) Babers and (Rich) Ellerson implement. They kept the guys focused all year and worked out a game plan that worked. All the credit goes to the guys up top."

On Canidate's season, associate head coach Duane Akina said, "A lot of players have come through this league and I don't think I have seen a better back than Trung. He is special because he can make the big play when you need it and also get that yard on fourth and one."

Arizona's second team players, along with McDaniel, were junior quarterback Keith Smith (68.5 percent passing and 13 touchdowns), senior offensive lineman Edwin Mulitalo and junior linebacker DaShon Polk (56 tackles, 4.5 sacks).

"It means a lot," McDaniel said. "I am just happy about my year, being 11-1 and about making a big bowl game."

Making the honorable mention list were senior running back Kelvin Eafon, who had 16 touchdowns this season as a short yardage back, senior tight end Mike Lucky (11 catches, 142 yards), junior wide receiver Dennis Northcutt (53 catches, 922 yards and six touchdowns), junior offensive tackle Manuia Savea, senior punter Ryan Springston (41.7 yards per punt) and sophomore center Bruce Wiggins.

"I think it is terrific," Akina said in regards to the number of players who made the All-Conference teams. "We have had a great year and they earned it. We have some outstanding players."