IRVING, Texas – Six Tulsa football student-athletes were named to the American Athletic Conference all-league teams as chosen by the league's 14 head coaches, it was announced today by the conference office.
Defensive end Ben Kopenski earned first team honors, safety Kendarin Ray second team, and third-team accolades went to offensive guard Chester Baah, placekicker Chase Meyer and running back Anthony Watkins. Offensive tackle Darrell Simpson was named honorable mention.
Kopenski was among the league leaders for sacks with 8.5 for -46 yards and tackles for loss with 13.5 or -59 yards. He completed the season with 52 tackles and had two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
The American's tackles leader, Ray totaled 131 stops, outdistancing the next highest player by 37 tackles. He ended the regular season ranked eighth nationally for total tackles and fourth for solo tackles with 73. Ray had eight double-figure tackle games this season and 15 for his career, while setting a career-high 16 stops against North Texas.
Watkins finished the season ranked fourth in the AAC for rushing with 889 yards for a 4.51 average and 74.1 yards per game. He had three 100+ rushing games, all coming within the last four games of the season. Baah and Simpson were key components of an offensive line that helped pave the way for the league's fourth-best rushing offense with 180.7 yards.
In his first season with the Golden Hurricane, Meyer converted 17-of-20 field goals and 30-of-31 PATs for 81 points. He ranked second in the league for field goal percentage at .850, while his 17 field goals was the third-most in The American.
Defensive end Ben Kopenski earned first team honors, safety Kendarin Ray second team, and third-team accolades went to offensive guard Chester Baah, placekicker Chase Meyer and running back Anthony Watkins. Offensive tackle Darrell Simpson was named honorable mention.
Kopenski was among the league leaders for sacks with 8.5 for -46 yards and tackles for loss with 13.5 or -59 yards. He completed the season with 52 tackles and had two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
The American's tackles leader, Ray totaled 131 stops, outdistancing the next highest player by 37 tackles. He ended the regular season ranked eighth nationally for total tackles and fourth for solo tackles with 73. Ray had eight double-figure tackle games this season and 15 for his career, while setting a career-high 16 stops against North Texas.
Watkins finished the season ranked fourth in the AAC for rushing with 889 yards for a 4.51 average and 74.1 yards per game. He had three 100+ rushing games, all coming within the last four games of the season. Baah and Simpson were key components of an offensive line that helped pave the way for the league's fourth-best rushing offense with 180.7 yards.
In his first season with the Golden Hurricane, Meyer converted 17-of-20 field goals and 30-of-31 PATs for 81 points. He ranked second in the league for field goal percentage at .850, while his 17 field goals was the third-most in The American.
