Caldwell wins GSC Offensive Player of the Year

CaldwellLIVINGSTON — West Alabama quarterback Kyle Caldwell has been named the Gulf South Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year by the league’s coaches, making him the first back-to-back offensive player of the year since 2006.

After winning the award outright in 2013, Caldwell, a senior from Dadeville, Ala., shared the 2014 honor with Florida Tech receiver Xavier Milton.

Caldwell finished his UWA career by becoming the first player in school history to eclipse the 9,000-career total yards mark, finishing with 9,090. That total is good enough for sixth all time in the Gulf South Conference. He also holds UWA records for touchdown passes (72) and passing yards (7,731).

On the way to first-team All-GSC honors this season, Caldwell completed 60 percent of his passing attempts (182-311) for 2,427 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also rushed for 468 yards and five scores.

Tiger receiver Chad Toocheck collected his second straight first team All-GSC honor, this time by unanimous vote. The senior from Medina, Ohio, caught 45 passes for 688 yards and five touchdowns. He finished his career in the top four on both the UWA career receptions and receiving yards lists with 116 catches for 1,805 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Long snapper Matthew Humphries and strong safety Fred Barnes were also voted first-team All-GSC by league coaches, while tight end Ty Morgan was a second team selection.

A senior from Hueytown, Ala., Humphries snapped for both punts and placement kicks for the last four years, never having an errant snap. He was a second-team All-GSC selection in 2013.

Barnes, a senior from College Park, Ga., led UWA in tackles this year with 61 total. He posted 10.5 tackles for loss and one quarterback sack. Barnes intercepted three passes, broke up four more, recovered two fumbles and forced another.

A junior from Sweetwater, Ala., Morgan caught 14 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns. He was a second-team All-GSC selection in 2013.