Hazell, Archer, others bring in MAC awards

The Mid-American Conference yearly awards came out Wednesday—Kent State was as well represented as expected following a historic season. 

Head Coach Darrell Hazell was the obvious choice for Coach of the Year. Hazell led Kent State to its highest AP Poll and BCS rankings ever and the Flashes' 10-game winning streak and 11 wins overall are already school records. 

Hazell is the third KSU coach to receive the honor, following Don James and Glen Mason. 

Running back and do-it-all offensive threat Dri Archer was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Year, as voted upon by the conference’s coaches, and made the All-MAC First Team as a running back and a return specialist.

Archer has averaged 9.7 yards per carry and ran for 1,337 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. His 21 total touchdowns are a single-season record.

Archer was beat out for the Vern Smith Leadership Award, given to the conference's best player, by Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch. Lynch totaled 4,361 yards and 39 touchdowns. 

Left tackle Brian Winters and defensive tackle Roosevelt Nix are each making their third straight appearance on the all-conference team. Nix (5.5 sacks, 14 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles) is the first three-time First Team member since Astron Whatley in 1997.

Left guard Josh Kline was named to the All-MAC Second Team. Luke Batton (119 tackles, two interceptions, 3.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries) and Luke Wollet (99 tackles, four interceptions) also made the Second Team.

C.J. Malauulu (66 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, an INT), Jake Dooley (38 tackles, 6.5 sackes) and Trayion Durham (1,176 yards, 14 touchdowns) made the third team.

KSU’s nine All-MAC selections are the most since 1987.