IRVINE, Calif. (Nov. 30) -- Arkansas State wide receiver and kick return specialist Robert Kilow headlines a list of nine Indians that were named as all-conference performers in the Big West this season.
Kilow, a junior from Daleville, Ala., led the Indians in receptions, receiving yards, kick return yards and punt return yards this year. Kilow posted career-highs in all categories, including a school record 57 receptions, 783-yards, 20 kick returns for a 21.8 average and 18 punt returns for a 9.3 average. Kilow was the only ASU player named as first team all-conference.
Tailback Lamont Zachery, offensive lineman Garry Johnson and punter Ryan Smith were selected to the second team roster. Zachery ended his career as the school's top all-purpose yardage leader and fourth on the all-time rushing charts after posting 846-yards on the ground this season. Johnson, a redshirt freshman, started all 11 games at right tackle for the Indians, and Smith was the top punter in average in the Big West this season.
Safety Sean Mitchell, linebackers Andy Henault and LeMarcus Harris, defensive lineman Lance Miller and cornerback Hanis Bowens received honorable-mention status.
Kilow is on pace to rewrite the receiving records at ASU. In just two seasons, the former junior college transfer has moved into third in career receiving yards at ASU, with 1,444, trailing Fred Barnett by 127-yards for second and Lennie Johnson by 1,286-yards for the top spot. Kilow ended the season third in the Big West in receptions (57), fourth in receiving yards (783), third in all-purpose yards per game (125.7), third in punt return average (9.3) and seventh in kick return average (21.8).
Zachery, a senior from Lodi, Tex., wrapped up his career surpassing former Indian great Corey Walker in career all-purpose yards, ending with 4,341 overall. Zachery had his most consistent year of his career, posting five 100-yard rushing games, setting career highs in rushing attempts (172) and tying his freshman best of 846-yards rushing. Zachery ended the year fourth in the BWC in rushing despite splitting duty with Jonathan Adams.
Smith, a senior from Sturgis, Miss., ended his career as ASU's all-time leading punter in average per punt, at 42.8. Smith led the Big West in punting average for the season, at 44.4, including nailing 13 inside the 20-yard line. Johnson, from Texarkana, Tex., was one of two freshmen to start every game for the Indians on the offensive line this season.
Mitchell, a junior from Russellville, Ark., led the team in total tackles for the second consecutive season, with 91. Mitchell also produced an interception, four passes defended, two fumble recoveries including one for a touchdown, one blocked kick and one forced fumble. Mitchell's 91 stops tied him for eleventh overall in the BWC.
Miller, a former walkon from Scott City, Mo., was credited with 58 total hits on the season at the nose tackle position to lead all defensive linemen. Miller's shining moment came against Louisiana-Lafayette when he tallied 14 total tackles, the most by an ASU lineman since the final game of the 1990 season when Lynn Rowland had 16.
Henault, a senior from Topeka, Kan., finished second on ASU's tackle chart, ringing up 72 total hits from his middle linebacker position, including six tackles for loss. Harris, a senior from Memphis, Tenn., was fourth on the team in total hits with 66, and led the team with 11 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Bowens, a junior from Houston, Tex., was fifth on the team in total tackles, with 58, and led the team in passes defended (10) and in interceptions (2). Bowens came to ASU from Navarro Junior College during the spring semester of 1999.
The Indians finished the season 4-7 overall, 3-3 in BWC action, after rejoining the conference in 1999. ASU exceeded media and coaches predictions after being picked last in both polls, but finished tied for third.
