Bryan Cole / The Collegian File Photo

The season did not turn out quite the way that anyone hoped, but the Bulldog football team celebrated its bright spots from the 2008 season earlier this week.

The team held its annual awards banquet downtown on Sunday evening and presented awards to players for their performance on and off the field this season.

Senior quarterback Tom Brandstater was the only Bulldog to receive two awards that night, earning the Director̢۪s Academic Award and the team̢۪s Most Valuable Player. The MVP award was voted by Brandstater̢۪s teammates.

Brandstater, a sixth-year senior working on his masters̢۪ degree, had completed 60 percent of his passes this season for 2,478 yards and a career-high17 touchdowns.

He had a rough start to his collegiate career in 2006, but has rebounded with productive years in his final two seasons. Coach Pat Hill was very complimentary of his quarterback̢۪s success during his career at Fresno State.

Many other Bulldogs were honored at the banquet, including seniors Bear Pascoe, Ikenna Ike, Bobby Lepori and Jon Monga.

Pascoe was awarded the Special Teams Player of the Year honors. He has blocked a school-record six kicks in his time with the Bulldogs and played on almost all snaps this season, except for defensive plays.

Lepori and Ike were named Most Valuable Offensive and Defensive linemen, respectively. Ike was the only defensive lineman to start in all 12 games and Lepori has been an anchor for the Bulldogs at left tackle, starting for the past three seasons.

Monga has battled injuries this season and has had his playing time significantly limited due to his leg injuries. The defensive line has been drastically different with Monga in the lineup, most notably his three-sack game on Senior Day.

All-WAC Teams

The Western Athletic Conference announced its season awards and All-WAC teams earlier this week, wrapping up the regular season for the conference.

The nine WAC coaches vote for the All-WAC team and awards. Fresno State has five Bulldogs on the second team and senior left tackle Bobby Lepori was named to the first team.

On the second team, the Bulldogs have three defensive players and two on the offense. Senior tight end Bear Pascoe and sophomore right guard Andrew Jackson were named to the second team.

On the second team defense, sophomore linebackers Ben Jacobs and Chris Carter and safety Moses Harris were honored by the conference.

The WAC also announced end of season awards. Coach of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards both found their way to Boise. Coach Chris Peterson was honored for the second time in three years as the coach of the Broncos. Quarterback Kellen Moore, who led the WAC in passing, earned The Freshman of the Year.

Offensive Player of the Year was given to Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who rushed for 20 touchdowns and threw for 20 touchdowns as a sophomore.

The Defensive Player of the Year was split between two players, Hawaii linebacker Solomon Elimimian and San Jose State defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert.

2008 All-WAC

Here̢۪s a look at the First Team All-WAC recipients:

Offense:
QB – Colin Kaepernick, Nevada
RB – Daniel Porter, La. Tech
RB – Vai Taua, Nevada
WR – Jeremy Childs, Boise State
WR – Marko Mitchell, Nevada
WR – Chris Williams, NMS
TE – Eddie WIlliams, Idaho
OL – Andrew Woodruff, Boise St.
OL – Bobby Lepori, Fresno State
OL – Adam Korby, Idaho
OL – John Estes, Hawaii
OL – Dominic Green, Nevada

Defense:
DL – Ryan Winterswyk, Boise St.
DL РD̢۪Anthony Smith, La. Tech
DL – Kevin Basped, Nevada
DL – Jarron Gilbert, San Jose St.
LB – Ellis Powers, Boise State
LB – Solomon Elimimian, Hawaii
LB – Adam Leonard, Hawaii
LB – Duke Ihenacho, San Jose St.
DB – Kyle Wilson, Boise State
DB – Ryan Mouton, Hawaii
DB – Antonio Baker, La. Tech
DB – Chris Owens, San Jose St.

Players of the Year
Offense – Colin Kaepernick
Defense – Jarron Gilbert/Solomon Elimimian
Freshman – Kellen Moore, Boise
Coach of the Year – Chris Petersen, Boise State

Bulldog Awards

Here were the awards handed out on Sunday night at the Fresno Convention Center:

Most Valuable Offensive Lineman: Bobby Lepori̢۬
Most Valuable Defensive Lineman: Ikenna Ike̢۬
Most Valuable Offensive Back: Seyi Ajirotutu̢۬
Most Valuable Defensive Back: Ben Jacobs̢۬
Special Teams Player of the Year: Bear Pascoe̢۬
Most Inspirational Player: Jon Monga ̢۬
Most Valuable Player: Tom Brandstater