— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Three Marshall players received first team All-Sun Belt Conference honors in voting by the league’s 14 head coaches and select media representatives.
Leading the Herd trio on the first team is running back Khalan Laborn, who rushed for 1,475 yards and scored 16 touchdowns. Laborn, a Florida State transfer, had made the most of his first season with the Thundering Herd. He was considered a backup to Rasheen Ali heading into the season, but became the lead back after Ali was injured in preseason drills. Ali returned two weeks ago aainst Georgia Southern and the duo is since splitting carries.
Other first-team picks for Marshall are two defensive standouts — junior defensive lineman Owen Porter and senior defensive back Micah Abraham.
Porter, who played at Spring Valley High School, racked up 54 tackles, including 14 for a loss. He also had 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception, a key play as Marshall cemented an upset at Notre Dame in Week 2.
Abraham had 34 tackles with a half-sack, five interceptions and eight pass breakups.
Steven Gilmore was a second-team all-conference defensive back with 39 tackles and three interceptions.
Four MU players received all-conference honorable mention status in wide receiver Corey Gammage, defensive lineman Koby Cumberlander, linebacker Eli Neal and defensive back Andre Sam.
Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall was named the league’s Player of the Year, while Troy’s Jon Sumrall won the Coach of the Year award.
James Madison quarterback Todd Centeio was named both the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. Troy linebacker Carlton Martial was picked as Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and Coastal Carolina wide receiver Jared Brown was named as the conference’s Freshman of the Year.
Troy (9), Louisiana (4), Appalachian State (3) and Marshall (3) were the only programs with more than two All-Sun Belt First Team nods.
The Trojans welcome Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt title game Saturday afternoon.
Marshall (8-4) is still awaiting word on what will bowl it will play in. That is expected to be released Sunday.