Murray State University Athletics
Williams and Lane Garner AP All-American Honors
12/17/2008 6:00:00 AM | Football
Two Murray State Racers garnered postseason accolades from the Associated Press Wednesday as linebacker Nathan Williams and defensive end Austen Lane were named to the All-America Team. Williams was a first-team honoree, while Lane was named to the third team.
Williams (Murray, Ky.) receives his second honor in the past week as he was named to the Walter Camp All-America First Team Dec. 12. The Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Buck Buchanan Award finalist, put together one of the finest defensive seasons in MSU history by recording 179 tackles (76 solo), 13 tackles-for-loss, eight sacks, one interception, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Williams registered an FCS-best 23 tackles against Illinois State. The 17 assisted tackles in that contest set a then-FCS record for assisted tackles in a game. His 179 tackles shattered the single-season record at MSU and is tied for second on the FCS list since the NCAA officially began recognizing tackles in 2000.
Lane (Iola, Wisc.) established himself as one of the premiere pass rushers in the FCS as he finished the season with 12 sacks (4th nationally) and 22 tackles-for-loss (2nd nationally). He finished the season with 63 total tackles, five quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one blocked kick.
Lane recorded a career-best 3.5 sacks against Southeast Missouri on his way to establishing a new single-season sack mark at MSU. He added a pair of sacks in the fourth quarter to help preserve the victory over Tennessee State in the season finale. He recorded at least half-a-sack in seven games this season and had at least two sacks in four contests.
Lane enters his final season with 18.0 career sacks and needs 10 sacks to tie Anthony Hutch (1992-96) for the all-time record at MSU.
The Racers finished the 2008 campaign with an overall record of 5-7 and a 4-4 mark in OVC action.
