Oregon junior defensive tackle Haloti Ngata has been named the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Pacific-10 Conference, officials announced Monday. Ngata, who is also one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the top defensive player in the country, shares this year’s Pac-10 award with Arizona State’s Dale Robinson. He is the first Duck ever to receive the award since its inception in 1975.
Ngata is also one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, which is presented to the nation’s top interior lineman. In addition, he was voted Oregon’s Most Outstanding Player by his teammates after finishing with 59 tackles, nine for loss, three sacks and five pass breakups to help the Ducks finish the regular season 10-1. He was the first defensive lineman in 18 years to claim the team’s MVP honor. Though only a junior, Ngata will most likely declare himself eligible for the NFL draft at season’s end.
Ngata highlighted a host of other Ducks named to All-Pac-10 Conference teams. Wide receiver Demetrius Williams and center Enoka Lucas were named to the second-team offense, while Ngata and cornerback Justin Phinisee garnered first-team defensive honors. Linebacker Anthony Trucks, cornerback Aaron Gipson and safety J.D. Nelson were named to the second-team defense.
Rover Patrick Chung, quarterback Kellen Clemens, tight end Tim Day, wide receiver James
Finley, defensive end Devan Long, offensive tackle Max Unger and tailback Terrence Whitehead rounded out Oregon’s honorable mention recipients.
USC’s Reggie Bush, a Heisman Trophy candidate, garnered Offensive Player of the Year honors. He is the first non-quarterback to win the award in back-to-back years since the 1984-85 season. Bush was also the only player this year to be unanimously voted to the first team by all 10 of the conference’s coaches.
Each of the 11 USC starters on offense received All-Pac-10 mention. USC had the most players on the first team with eight. Oregon State, whose offensive guard Jeremy Perry shared Freshman of the Year honors with Arizona wideout Michael Thomas, was next with five.
Pete Carroll of USC and Karl Dorrell of UCLA were tabbed Co-Coaches of the Year.
– Luke Andrews