Moore (Columbus, Ohio / Bishop Watterson HS) was named third-team all-Northwest Region by Hansen’s Football Gazette and was a first-team all-Gateway Football Conference selection after rushing for 1,037 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 contests. He ranked second in the league in rushing, and was also among the top 10 in touchdowns, all-purpose yards and total offense.
Two-time consensus All-American Buster Ashley earned both honors following the 2004 campaign.
Deion Holts (Bowling Green, Ky. / Warren Central HS) was voted the Defensive MVP. Despite playing in just seven games, the outside linebacker was named second-team all-conference after recording 37 tackles, including eight behind the line of scrimmage, two sacks, two forced fumbles and breaking up four passes.
Chris James (Fayetteville, Ga. / Starr’s Mill) was selected the Special Teams MVP following a season in which he converted 15-of-17 field-goal attempts while connecting on all 42 points-after-touchdown. The sophomore was named to the I-AA.org All-Star Team, was a first-team all-GFC choice and twice earned national Special Teams Player-of-the-Week accolades.
For the second time in as many years, Erik Losey (Hixson, Tenn. / Soddy-Daisy HS) earned the Offensive Tenacity Award. A first-team American Football Coaches Association All-American, the senior recorded the highest grade among the Toppers’ offensive linemen. Marion Rumph (Bradenton, Fla. / Manatee HS) was given the Defensive Tenacity Award. The first WKU defensive back to lead the team in tackles since 1989, Rumph posted a career-best 93 stops and broke up four passes to be named first-team all-league.
Bill Hewig (Evansville, Ind. / Reitz HS) earned the Al Almond Award, given to the player who displays the same devotion to character, loyalty, ability and love of fellow man exhibited by Almond, the longtime coach at Western’s University High School. Brandon Fitzgerald (LaCenter, Ky. / Ballard Memorial HS) picked up the Community College Distinguished Citizenship Award, while Sean Pugh (Huber Heights, Ohio / Wayne HS) was named the Big Brother Award winner. The Offensive Scout Team MVP was Jessie Quinn (Bradenton, Fla. / Manatee HS), with Jason Hackley (Bradenton, Fla. / Manatee HS) selected the Defensive Scout Team MVP.
Hewig, Maurice Perkins (Indianapolis, Ind. / Cathedral HS), Antonio Thomas (Louisville, Ky. / Fairdale HS) and Daniel Williams (Baxley, Ga. / Appling County HS) were honored after serving as team captains last fall.
David Jaggers received the 12th Man Award for his support of the program.
The Toppers recorded their 10th straight winning season in 2005 after finishing 6-5.
