Idaho's Conley an All-American; Petersen a finalist for coach of year

Idaho Vandals punter T.J. Conley was voted to the 2008 Walter Camp All-American Football Team, the organization announced Thursday.

Conley, a senior from Walla Walla, Wash., finished the season with the nation's best punting average at 47.43 yards.

"T.J. is a first-class kid who's done a tremendous job for us this season on the field, in the classroom and in the community," coach Robb Akey said. "He had a tremendous senior year. He paid attention to the things he needed to do to improve and he did them.''

Conley, who also made the All-WAC first team, is Idaho's first All-American since the Vandals became a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision in 1996.

The Walter Camp All-American team is 119 years old, the nation's oldest. Twenty-five players are selected to the first team by 119 FBS head coaches and sports information directors. The Walter Camp All-American Awards Weekend is Jan. 15-17 at New Haven, Conn.

TCU END HONORED

TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes has been named to the Walter Camp team.

Hughes led the nation this season with a Mountain West Conference-record 14 sacks and six forced fumbles. He also ranks in the top-10 nationally with 18.5 tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries. The junior had two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown.

TCU plays Boise State in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 23 in San Diego.

PETERSEN A FINALIST

Boise State coach Chris Petersen is a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, the Football Writers Association of American announced Thursday.

Joining Petersen as finalists are Mack Brown (Texas), Pete Carroll (USC), Mike Leach (Texas Tech), Urban Meyer (Florida), Joe Paterno (Penn State), Nick Saban (Alabama), Bob Stoops (Oklahoma) and Kyle Whittingham (Utah).

The winner will be announced Jan. 6 in Miami.

Petersen also is a finalist for the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year and Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year awards.

BSU NEWS AND NOTES

Senior tight end Chris O'Neill (broken foot) expects to play in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 23 against TCU. He missed the final eight games of the regular season. ESPN has assigned Rece Davis, Lou Holtz and Mark May to call the Poinsettia Bowl. May drew Broncos' fans ire by saying the Broncos would have four losses in the Mountain West or Pac-10. Boise State has commitments for 4,328 of its 7,500 bowl tickets, the ticket office reports. That number includes at least 1,200 tickets for players' friends and families - through complimentary player tickets and sales. Former Boise State quarterback Nick Lomax has committed to Division II Central Washington, according to several newspaper reports. Lomax left the Broncos before this season and has two years of eligibility remaining.