November 30, 1998
PULLMAN, Wash. - Eight members of Washington State Universitys 1998 football team received recognition from the leagues 10 coaches, including three who were named to the Pacific-10 Conference second team.
A pair of WSU defensive stars, senior Dee Moronkola and safety Lamont Thompson, a sophomore, were picked to the second team, while on offense sophomore running back Kevin Brown earned second team honors.
The other five Cougar players, including three underclassmen, received honorable mention recognition. They included junior Steve Gleason, linebacker, Rob Meier, defensive tackle, and wide receiver Nian Taylor, plus seniors Love Jefferson, tight end, and Rob Rainville, offensive tackle. Gleason also was honored a week ago by the Pac-10 with his selection to the leagues academic first team.
Brown rushed for a WSU sophomore record 1,046 yards this past fall in his first season with the Cougars. He had a career high 202 rushing yards at Stanford, the seventh best one-game performance by a Cougar running back. Brown was just the ninth WSU running back to top 1,000 yards in a single season.
Thompson, who already ranks seventh in career interceptions with 10 in his 15 starts, picked off four passes during the past season and also saw limited action as a wide receiver, catching two passes. Thompson also was WSUs leading punter returner, bringing back 16 punts for 123 yards. His 7.7 yards per return average ranked eighth in the Pac-10.
Moronkola, who also has received recognition for his kickoff return prowess, was WSUs top cornerback in the fall, making 42 tackles and picking off two passes. He led WSU with nine pass breakups and ranked second in the nation in kickoff returns, averaging 31.5 yards per return. His two kickoff returns for touchdowns came against Boise State and Oregon and tied the WSU single-season record. Against the Ducks, he had five returns for a school record 211 yards.
