NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion University football had five players earn Conference USA All-Freshman Accolades, the conference office announced on Tuesday.
Running back Ray Lawry, offensive lineman Darius Garcia, defensive tackle Bunmi Rotimi, safety Christian Byrum and punter, Jarrett Cervi, earned the honors.
Lawry played in all 12 games and started four finishing the season with 134 carries for 947 yards and 16 touchdowns. In addition he had 17 receptions for 155 yards. He rushed for more than 100-yards four times, including a season-best 213-yards in the season-ending win at FAU. His 16 touchdowns are the most fourth most of any freshmen running back in the country, and his 7.1 yard per carry is the most of any freshmen in the nation. He tied a school record with four rushing touchdowns at WKU and had four multi-touchdown games on the season.
Garcia played in all 12 games, starting nine at right tackle as a true freshman. He played on an offensive line that helped ODU average 441.9 yards per game and 149.4 rushing yards per game. Helped record a season best 643 yards of total offense at WKU.
Rotimi played in all 12 games and started two, recording 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks on the season. He had a season high seven tackles at UTEP and recorded his two sacks against Middle Tennessee and FIU.
Byrum played in nine games, starting four at safety. He had 20 tackles and two interceptions on the season. He had a season high five tackles as well as his first two career interceptions against Marshall.
Cervi punted 23 times for an average of 40.5 yards per punt, with a long of 54 and had two punts downed inside the 20. He was also 12-of-13 on extra points including a 41-yard field goal at WKU.
2014 C-USA FOOTBALL ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM OFFENSEQB – Alex McGough, FIURB – Alex Gardner, FIURB – Ray Lawry, Old DominionOL – Will Hernandez, UTEPOL – Reggie Bain, Florida AtlanticOL – Derek Elmendorph, UTEPOL – Brandon Ray, WKUOL – Darius Garcia, Old DominionTE – Ryan Yurachek, MarshallWR – Angelo Jean-Louis, Marshall
WR – Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech DEFENSEDL – Graysen Schantz, RiceDL – Deldrick Canty, Louisiana TechDL – Bunmi Rotimi, Old DominionDL – Derik Overstreet, WKULB – Alvin Jones, UTEPLB – Anthony Wint, FIU
LB – DJ Sanders, Middle TennesseeDB – Antavis Rowe, MarshallDB – Secdrick Cooper, Louisiana TechDB – Kishawn McClain, North TexasDB – Christian Byrum, Old Dominion
DB – Cornell Armstrong, Southern Miss SPECIAL TEAMSK – Trevor Moore, North TexasP – Jarrett Cervi, Old DominionKR – Carlos Henderson, Louisiana TechPR – Kylen Towner, WKU