LSU’s Dorsey earns top LSWA honor

LSU’s Glenn Dorsey added another award to his list of accolades, while Tulane running back Matt Forte put up numbers that were hard to ignore in taking the top two honors on this year’s Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana College Football team.

Also earning special recognition honors were LSU freshman Chad Jones, Nicholls State newcomer LaDarius Webb and, like a few LSU football games this year, the Coach of the Year wasn’t decided until the last two ballots when LSU’s Les Miles earned the honor.

The team was voted on by a panel of LSWA members after nominations were processed from the various football playing schools in Louisiana. The nominations were submitted by the sports information personnel at the respective schools.

Dorsey was named the Outstanding Defensive Football Player of the Year, while Forte earned the Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year. Jones was named the Freshman of the Year, while Webb, who nailed down two first-team positions, was named the Outstanding Newcomer in the state of Louisiana for non-freshman playing their first year of football in the state of Louisiana.

Joining Forte on the first-team offense were – Offensive Line: Demetrius Bell, Northwestern State; Herman Johnson and Ciron Black, LSU; Kyle Cunningham, Louisiana-Monroe; and, Jessie Newman, Louisiana-Lafayette. Tight End: Zeek Zacharie, Louisiana-Monroe. Wide Receiver: Early Doucet, LSU; Carlese Franklin, McNeese State. Running Back: Calvin Dawson, Louisiana-Monroe. Quarterback: Matt Flynn, LSU.

With Dorsey on the first-team defense were – Defensive Line: Bryan Smith, McNeese State; Vincent Lands, Southern; and, Rodney Hardeway, Louisiana-Lafayette. Linebacker: Ali Highsmith, LSU; Allen Nelson, McNeese State; and, Darry Beckwith, LSU. Defensive Back: Chevis Jackson and Craig Steltz, LSU; Webb, Nicholls State; and, Greg James, Louisiana-Monroe.

The first-team special team players were – Kicker: Colt David, LSU. Punter: Patrick Fisher, LSU; Return Specialist: Webb, Nicholls State.

Dorsey adds the nearly unanimous POY honor to his awards list that includes the Nagurski, Lombardi and the Lott awards along with the Outland Trophy. The first-team All-American is the most decorated defensive player in LSU history and had 64 tackles, six sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. The senior from Gonzales had four quarterback hurries all while being double teamed and sometimes triple teamed.

The Tigers will take on No. 1 Ohio State on January 7 in the BCS National Championship Game in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

Baseball team ranked

LSU is ranked No. 30 in the 2008 Collegiate Baseball magazine preseason poll.

The team’s appearance in the preseason poll marks its first ranking since Feb. 12, 2007, when the Tigers were voted No. 29 by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

“It’s a good first step for our program,” said second-year LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “We appreciate the recognition which I think comes from having the top recruiting class in the country.

Obviously, we want to be better than No. 30 as the season progresses and return our program to a position of national prominence.”

LSU’s recruiting class, which included nine players selected in the Major League Baseball draft, was ranked No. 1 in the nation in September by Collegiate Baseball.

The 2008 squad also features 10 position players with starting experience, including 2006 all-SEC shortstop Michael Hollander and a pair of 2007 Freshmen all-SEC selections – outfielder Blake Dean and catcher Sean Ochinko.

The Tigers return seven pitchers who recorded innings last season, including 2008 preseason all-American Jared Bradford, LSU’s leader in wins (10) and saves (five).

LSU will play 43 games against teams receiving recognition in the Collegiate Baseball poll – 17 games against ranked opponents and 26 games versus teams receiving votes in the poll.

The Tigers’ schedule features 17 games against squads appearing in the Top 40, including No. 2 South Carolina, No. 4 Ole Miss, No. 20 Kentucky, No. 27 Mississippi State, No. 32 UL-Lafayette, No. 34 Southern Miss and No. 36 Stetson.

LSU opponents receiving votes in the poll include Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, New Orleans, Tulane, Southeastern Louisiana, Tennessee, Florida, Auburn and Southern.

LSU begins preseason practice on Feb. 1, and the Tigers open the season on Feb. 22 versus Indiana in Alex Box Stadium.