Backus Honored as FCS ADA's Top Collegiate Linebacker
12/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
CONWAY - Coastal Carolina senior Quinn Backus was named the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Top Collegiate Linebacker as well as being named to its 11-man, 2014 FCS ADA All-American team.
The FCS ADA, in coordination with the 13 FCS conference offices, recognizes the top student-athletes from FCS institutions at 11 different positions. Voting was conducted by a national panel, consisting of media and SIDs.
"On behalf of the association's officers, executive committee and members I would like to extend congratulations to the FCS ADA All-America award winners," stated FCS ADA President Ken Beazer, director of athletics, Southern Utah University. "Each of these student-athletes accomplished great things both on and off the football field this season, and the FCS ADA is proud to recognize them for their achievements."
Backus is a three-time All-American and a three-time Big South Defensive Player of the Year as well as being the first play in Big South history to lead the lead in tackles three times. Backus ranked fourth in the FCS with six forced fumbles, which additionally set league and school records. Of his 127 tackles, 10.0 were for losses including a career-best 5.5 sacks. He added two interceptions, seven pass breakups, six quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery. Five of his turnovers created led to Coastal Carolina touchdowns. Backus was the only player in the Big South to rank among the top 10 in tackles (first), forced fumbles (first), sacks (sixth), tackles for losses (seventh) and passes defended (seventh).
Backus finished his career with 441 tackles, 14th on the NCAA FCS all-time list, and 243 solo tackles, 10th on the FCS career list. His 441 tackles is second on the Big South all-time list - first in school history - and he is the CCU and league's all-time leader with 243 solo tackles. He additionally finished fifth in league history and first in school history in assisted tackles (198); 10th in league history and third in CCU history with 30.0 tackles for losses; fourth in school history with 9.5 sacks; sixth in school history with eight interceptions; second in CCU and sixth in league history with 154 interception return yards; fifth in CCU and 11th in league history with 17 PBU; first in CCU and Big South history with nine forced fumbles and second in school history with four fumble recoveries.
From the 11 players listed below, a national Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year will be announced at a later date and recognized at the National Championship Game in Frisco, Texas, on Jan. 10, during an on-field presentation.
The following student-athletes will earn 2014 All-America honors from the FCS ADA, as the top players from each of their positions.
2014 FCS ADA All-American Team
Pos. Name Institution
QB John Robertson Villanova University
RB Zach Zenner South Dakota State University
OL Joe Haeg North Dakota State University
TE MyCole Pruitt* Southern Illinois University
WR DeAndre Carter Sacramento State University
DL Kyle Emanuel North Dakota State University
LB Quinn Backus Coastal Carolina University
DB Jacob Hagen Liberty University
PK Michael Schmadeke University of Northern Iowa
P Kyle Loomis* Portland State University
RS Pokey Harris Murray State University
* indicates 2013 FCS ADA All-America Award Winner
Coastal Carolina 2014 National Postseason Honors
(as of Dec. 18, 2014)
Quinn Backus
Buck Buchanan Award (4th)
FCS ADA's Top Collegiate Linebacker
FCS ADA All-American (one, 11-man team)
Walter Camp FCS All-American (one, 25-man team)
Associated Press FCS All-American (1st team)
CollegeSportsMadness.com FCS All-American (1st team)
Chad Hamilton
American Football Coaches Association FCS All-American (one, 25-man team)
Associated Press FCS All-American (2nd team)
CollegeSportsMadness.com FCS All-American (1st team)
Alex Ross
Walter Payton Award (7th)
Joe Moglia
Eddie Robinson Award (2nd)
American Football Coaches Association Region 2 FCS Coach of the Year
