All-America running back Bobby Rainey was named the team's Offensive Player of the Year, while Kentucky linebacker Danny Trevathan took the top defensive honor. In addition to Rainey, senior offensive lineman Wes Jeffries, junior tight end Jack Doyle, freshman kickoff returner John Evans, senior defensive back Derrius Brooks and junior defensive lineman Quanterus Smith represented the Hilltoppers on the team.
All Kentucky colleges and universities - regardless of classification - are eligible to have student-athletes named to the All-Commonwealth teams. With six selections, WKU has more players honored than any other team in the state.
Rainey was named to five different All-America teams following his record-setting senior season. The Griffin, Ga., product set both the WKU single-season and career rushing record this past fall, en route to being named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, and a first-team all-Sun Belt selection. He ranked second in the nation in rushing, averaging 141.2 years per game. His 369 carries were also the most in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Rainey eclipsed 100 yards in 10 of WKU's 12 games this season. He was also one of just eight players since 2000 to rush for 1,500 yards in back-to-back seasons, and is one of just seven players this year to run, throw and catch a touchdown in 2011.
Jeffries also earned first-team all-league honors after starting all 12 games last season at left tackle - and 42 straight games to end his Hilltopper career. He finished his senior season with an overall grade of 82%, grading out at 80% or better six times. The Bowling Green, Ky., native was credited with 46 knockdown blocks in 2011, and gave up just two sacks on the year. Jeffries also found the end zone for the first time in his career on senior day, lining up at full back and scoring a one-yard touchdown in the victory over Troy.
Doyle was also big in the run-blocking game, but also emerged as WKU's leading receiver in 2011, hauling in 52 catches for 614 yards. He earned second-team all-SBC honors finished the year averaging 11.8 yards per reception, and 51.2 yards per game. Of his 52 catches on the year, 37 came in Sun Belt Conference games, where he is averaging 57.8 yards per game. The Indianapolis, Ind., product eclipsed 100 yards three times in 2011, the first three 100-yards games of his career. He had six catches for 100 yards against Middle Tennessee and seven catches for a season-high 106 yards against Louisiana-Lafayette. Doyle closed out the year with six catches for 101 yards against Troy. The junior tight end led WKU in receptions eight times - including a season-best nine grabs against North Texas. His 52 catches rank tied for fifth on WKU's single season list.
In his first season on the Hill, Evans made an immediate impact on special teams, ranking second in the nation averaging 32.2 yards per kickoff return. The Sarasota, Fla., product had four returns over 40 yards this season - two of which proved big in Hilltopper victories. He had a 90-yard return for a touchdown against Middle Tennessee in an eventual double-overtime WKU win. Then, just after WKU surrendered the lead in the final minute of regulation at ULM, Evans had a 79-yard return to set up a Hilltopper touchdown in a game they would win in overtime. In addition to his kickoff return numbers, Evans also ranks fifth in the league and 44th nationally averaging 5.59 yards per punt return. His efforts earned him a spot on the SI.com Freshman All-America team.
Also a second-team all-conference pick, Smith registered 38 total tackles on the season, finishing with multiple stops in 11 games. He ranks eighth in the conference in tackles for loss with 11 (0.92 per game), and is second in the league with a team-high 7.5 sacks. The Loganville, Ga., junior had multiple sacks against both Arkansas State and ULM.
Brooks emerged as one of the top cornerbacks in just his second season playing the position, earning a second-team all-Sun Belt honor. After serving in a backup role to start the season, the Fortson, Ga., senior started each of the last eight games at cornerback. He ranks fifth on the team with 48 total tackles, including 33 solo stops. His team-best four interceptions are tied for second-most in the conference in 2011, and tied for 23rd nationally. On top of his INTs, Brooks also led the team with 10 pass breakups. He finished with a season-high nine tackles against Louisiana-Lafayette, and had multiple stops in all 12 games. That included four or more tackles seven times.
The 2011 season saw WKU rebound from an 0-4 start to finish 7-5, with the only loss in the final eight games coming at #1 LSU. The Hilltoppers' 7-1 Sun Belt record was good enough for a second-place finish in the league standings.
Season ticket package for the 2012 season start at $50, and are now available by calling 1-800-5-BIG-RED. The season ticket package includes WKU's six games against Austin Peay (Sept. 1), 2011 Conference USA Champion Southern Mississippi (Sept. 22) and Sun Belt Conference games against Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee, Louisiana-Monroe and North Texas. Specific dates for all conference games have not yet been released by the Sun Belt Conference office.
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