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Press ReleaseORLANDO, Fla. - For the second year in a row, Utah's Louie Sakoda has been named to the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-America team--this time as the placekicker. A year ago, Sakoda was selected as the FWAA's All-America punter. The FWAA All-America team is the second longest continuously published team in major college football.
Sakoda is just the second player in the 65-year history of the FWAA All-America team to make the team at two different positions. Southern California's Reggie Bush was named to the team as a kick returner in 2004 and as a running back in 2005. Sakoda is the first player in Utah history to make a major All-America team at two different positions.
It is the third first-team All-America honor for Sakoda this season, who was previously named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and Walter Camp teams.
A top-three finalist for both the Lou Groza (kicking) and Ray Guy (punting) awards, Sakoda's 21 field goals ranks third in the nation and he is second in kick-scoring points with 115. He has made 21-of-23 field goals (91.3%) and is a perfect 17-of-17 in field goals from 47 yards and in. His only misses were from 48 and 54 yards and his average made field goal is 39 yards.
Sakoda is a three-time Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Year (2006-08) and is the league's career record holder at any position for player of the week citations with 12 (five this season).
A business marketing major who carries a 3.73 cumulative GPA, Sakoda was also named a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete, as well as a finalist for the Draddy Trophy, Lowe's Senior Class Award and the Wuerffel Trophy. Sakoda was also named a first-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American.
(Courtesy the University of Utah)
