Cougars named to all Pac-10 teams

Jerome Harrison led the Cougars in being named to the Pac-10 All Conference first team announced Monday afternoon. Jason Hill was passed over for first team, and despite missing most of the season Will Derting was named honorable mention.

Harrison shared first team honors at running back with USC's Reggie Bush who also garnered Offensive Player of the Year. Harrison led the conference and the nation in yards gained with an even 1,900 and in yards per game, with 172.7.

Beating out Hill for first team were OSU's Mike Hass, ASU's Derek Hagen, and USC's Dwayne Jarrett. With three receivers named to the first team, Hill was one of two on the second team along with Oregon's D. Williams. Hill had 1,097 yards, averaging 17.7 yards per catch and brought in 13 touchdowns, and set WSU receiver records along the way for career touchdowns and season touchdowns. Hill is considering entering the NFL draft as a junior if he can be sure he will go in the first two rounds.

With Hill on second team were Troy Bienemann, Nick Mihlhauser, and Mkristo Bruce. Bienemann was forced to miss the Apple Cup due to a knee injury suffered on a touchdown catch against Oregon. Bienemann had 278 yards and 3 touchdowns on the season, and was ranked fourth in receiving yards for WSU. This is the first all conference honor for both Mihlhauser and Bruce. Mihlhauser has started for most of three consecutive years for the Cougars and anchored a Cougar line that helped the offense average 482 yards per game - the fourth highest average in WSU history. Bruce had a breakthrough season and had 67 total tackles on the year including 10 sacks and 15 total tackles for loss. Bruce forced three fumbles and recovered two.

Michael Bumpus and linebackers Will Derting and Scott Davis were named honorable mention. Both Bumpus and Derting missed games due to injury. Derting's absence was especially missed and his return for the full game in the Apple Cup was a big factor in the Cougar victory. Bumpus averaged 11.9 yards per catch and had two touchdowns receiving and was also a punt return weapon. He finished third on the team behind Harrison and Hill for all purpose yards. Davis finished third on the team with 66 total tackles, including 5 tackles for loss and credit for half a sack.