Villanova University

Nov. 24, 1999

Villanova, Pa.--- On Wednesday, Nov. 24, the Atlantic 10 Conference released its 1999 post-season football awards including the Coach and Players of the Year, as well as its All-Conference selections. The Villanova University football team had 12 players receive All-Atlantic 10 honors, led by senior quarterback Chris Boden (San Clemente, Calif.), sophomore wide receiver Murle Sango (El Toro, Calif.), senior offensive lineman Ryan Knight (Franklinville, N.J.), and sophomore defensive lineman Kwesi Solomon (Philadelphia, Pa.) who garnered first team accolades.

Taking second team all-conference distinction for the Wildcats were senior tight end Joe Kavanaugh (Portola, Calif.), junior offensive lineman Stan Bennett (Rancho San Margarita, Calif.), sophomore kicker Casey Hannon (Lebanon, Pa.), senior linebacker Shaun Lyons (Altamont, N.Y.), and senior defensive back Hezekiah Lewis (San Bernardino, Calif.). Three other Villanova players were named to the Atlantic 10 third team including junior running back Ducarmel Augustin (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), senior linebacker David Heckard (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), and senior defensive back DeLonne Kelly (Fullerton, Calif.).

Villanova and conference champion James Madison led the way with 12 players on the All-Atlantic 10 teams, followed by Massachusetts with 10, Richmond and William & Mary with nine, Delaware and New Hampshire with seven, Connecticut and Maine with three and Northeastern and Rhode Island with two apiece. James Madison took three of the four major awards, with Dukes' running back Curtis Keaton named Offensive Player of the Year, defensive end Chris Morant named Defensive Player of the Year and head coach Mickey Matthews tabbed Coach of the Year. Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year honors went to William & Mary quarterback David Corley.

On the way to leading the Wildcats to yet another outstanding season, Boden broke the all-time Atlantic 10 records for touchdowns, yards and completions in 1999. In addition, he became only the 12th quarterback in college football history and only the fourth in NCAA I-AA history to pass for 10,000 yards and 100 touchdowns in his career. Boden finished the season completing 294-of-474 passes for 3,058 yards and 24 touchdowns.

On the receiving end of 98 of Boden's passes was Sango who wound down his sophomore season in fine fashion. He ended the year with 98 catches for 1,064 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Wildcats final two first team selections, Knight and Solomon, gave each side of the Villanova line a dominating presence. On offense, Knight helped Augustin to rush for 680 yards and 12 touchdowns, while on defense Solomon had 39 tackles and a team-high seven sacks.