6 Vandal Seniors Earn All-Conference Honors

Congratulations to all 6 seniors who earned All-Conference honors this year, led by tailback and 1,150 yard rusher Zach Gerstner who earned 1st Team honors and etched his name in the UI record books with his effort this season. Quite an accomplishment, considering he didn't even start a game until the 5th week of the season. A hearty congrats also to seniors Jake Scott, Matt Martinez, Mike McCoy, Brian Howard, and cornerback Rod Bryant on earning 2nd Team honors!

MOSCOW, Idaho – University of Idaho senior tailback Zach Gerstner capped his Vandal career with first- team all-Sun Belt Conference honors.

(VandalVenue.com Photo)

Mike McCoy, 6-3, 242
Mike ended the 2003 season tied for the #2 receiver on the team with 32 receptions for 478 yards.

Joining Gerstner in receiving all-conference recognition were second-team honorees Jake Scott (offensive tackle), Matt Martinez (center), Mike McCoy (tight end), Brian Howard (defensive end) and Roderick Bryant (cornerback).

Gerstner (Canby, Ore.) finished the 2003 season with the seventh-best rushing season in UI history with 1,157 yards. His 256 carries rank third all-time on the single-season list. Add 32 receptions to his rushing plays and Gerstner wound up with the highest number of all-purpose rushing plays for a single-season. His all-purpose yardage of 1,468 is 10th single-season.

He made a similar impact on the career lists with his career rushing total of 2,081 eighth best all-time. Gerstner finished with 558 all-purpose rushing plays, which is fifth all- time, and his 2,891 all-purpose rushing yards are eight-best all-time.

Paving the way were Scott (Lewiston, Idaho) and Martinez (Wenatchee, Wash.). This is Scott’s second all- conference honor in his four years as a starter.

McCoy (King City, Calif.) had 32 receptions in 2003, which tied him for second on the team with Gerstner. His 478 yards were second-best.

(VandalVenue.com Photo)

Brian Howard, 6-3, 287
Brian ended 2003 #3 on the team in tackles with 80 on the season.

Defensively, Howard (Kent, Wash.) had the highest number of tackles for a defensive lineman in the Sun Belt. He finished the 2003 season with 80 – third best for the Vandals. He also had a team-high11 tackles-for-loss, six quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.

Bryant (Fort Washington, Md.) wrapped up his career with 40 tackles and two interceptions in 2003. He also had four pass breakups.