Northern Colorado Bears

NAU's Cookus named Big Sky co-freshman of the year

Published Nov. 24, 2015 5:51 p.m. ET

foxsports

There was anything but a consensus for Big Sky freshman of the year, with the league's coaches voting for two players to win for the first time in the history of the award.

Northern Arizona quarterback Case Cookus and North Dakota running back John Santiago are the co-recipients, it was announced Tuesday.

Cookus threw for 3,110 yards and 37 touchdowns, and led the FCS for most of the season in passing efficiency. He is also the conference's first-team selection at his position after keeping the Lumberjacks in the playoff hunt until the final week.

Santiago led FCS freshman running backs and the Big Sky with 1,459 yards and 16 rushing TDs, while also pacing FCS freshmen with a school regular season-record 2,159 all-purpose yards (1,459 rushing, 81 receiving, 38 punt return, 581 kick return).

He became the first true freshman in the 53-year history of the Big Sky to lead the conference in rushing, recording an FCS-leading nine 100-yard rushing games in 2015, including all eight of his league contests.

Lumberjacks who joined Cookus on the all-conference first-team are running back Casey Jahn, receiver Emmanuel Butler, defensive back Marcus Alford and kicker/punter Ryan Hawkins.

Eastern Washington receiver Cooper Kupp and Southern Utah defensive end James Cowser were named the conference's offesnive and defensive players of the year, respectively.

OFFENSE

QB Case Cookus, Northern Arizona

RB John Santiago, North Dakota