Cards land Eleven on All-SLC Teams

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2014 All SLC Football Teams

FRISCO, Texas – Nine Lamar Cardinals football players have been named to the 2014 All-Southland Conference football team, highlighted by first-team selection Mark Roberts, announced league officials Tuesday afternoon. It marks the second consecutive season that at least 10 LU players have received all-conference recognition.

In addition to Roberts, senior quarterback Caleb Berry and junior receiver Reggie Begelton garnered second-team honors on offense, while sophomore defensive lineman Omar Tebo and sophomore safetyXavier Bethany earned second-team defense honors.

“I’m very proud of this group of players,” said head coach Ray Woodard. “As the year went along, I thought we had a number of players that were deserving of honors. Similar to last season, we have a significant number of players named to the postseason all-conference squad which I think proves the continuing maturity of this program.”

A preseason CFPA Receiver of the Year Award candidate, Roberts has lived up to the hype in his final season with Lamar. The former Houston transfer, Roberts became one of the nation’s best big-play threats. Roberts became the first receiver in Lamar history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season. The Orange, Texas native finished the season with 46 catches for 1,157 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Midway through the season, Roberts put together a game against Houston Baptist that will not soon be forgotten. Roberts hauled in five catches for 205 yards and four touchdowns becoming the school’s all-time leader in touchdown receptions. Making those numbers even more impressive is the fact that Roberts didn’t play a snap in the second half. He was named conference and national player of the week for his efforts. Roberts wraps up his senior season tied for sixth nationally in touchdown receptions and ninth in receiving yards.

“Mark is a very special player,” said Woodard. “He has the ability to change the scope of a game. There were some times this season when he just took over a game. He has the talent to play at the next level.”

Berry is the last of the original signing class to come to Lamar. The redshirt senior leaves Lamar as the school’s all-time leading quarterback. A two-year starter, Berry has set the single-game, season and career marks for completions, touchdown passes, passing yards and yards of total offense.

As a junior, Berry recorded the best single-season performance by a quarterback in school history setting new standards in all four categories. In his final season, Berry set new records for passing yards, passing touchdowns and yards of total offense. He finished the regular season ranked 21st in pass efficiency, ninth in completions per game, fourth in touchdowns and second passing yards.

For a second-straight year, Begelton led the Southland in receptions, overcoming injuries in the early part of the season to nearly replicate his 2013 numbers. The Beaumont, Texas native hauled in 67 passes for 860 yards and six touchdowns in 2014. Less than a year after setting the school’s single-season receptions record, Begelton became the school’s all-time leader in receptions when he hauled in 13 passes at Central Arkansas.

Two of the best young defensive players in the Southland, Tebo and Bethany not only had standout seasons but also provide Lamar with a strong defensive foundation for the future. Among the league leaders in tackles all season, Bethany finished second on the team with 98 total stops, including 42 solo tackles from his safety position. He was also credited with 4.5 tackles for a loss, including one sack, forced two fumbles and recovered another. Bethany also tied for team-high honors with two interceptions, including one he returned the distance for a touchdown.

Tebo was able to disrupt opposing offenses from his nose tackle position. He finished the year among the team’s top five in tackles (46), which including 21 solos. He also finished among the league leaders in tackles for losses (8) and sacks (3.5). Tebo was also credited with four quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and two blocks on the season.

“This may sound like a repeat of last year, but it is true, the great thing about our all-conference players is that we have a good number of them returning,” said Woodard. “That is a good foundation for next year. The guys that earned second-team honors this season, hopefully will use that as motivation to become first-team selections next year.”

In addition to the first and second-team selections, offensive linemen Bret Treadway, Tramon Shead and Chance McCormack, defensive linemen Joe Okafor and Keith Curran and linebacker Ronnie Jones, Jr. received honorable mention recognition.

“I’m very proud of this football team,” added Woodard. “This was a very easy team to coach. I think that they proved that hard work pays off – they proved it every week in everything they did on the field, in practice, during games and how they took care of business away from the field. I like the progress of this program. I don’t think as a coach or an athlete you’re ever satisfied. There will always be areas where you want to improve, but I believe we are headed in the right direction.

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