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Sambursky named offensive player of the year

Joel Sambursky never thought he would be on the All-Gateway team, let alone the first team.

He was not willing to call himself the best quarterback in the conference at the beginning of the season, instead yielding that distinction to Northern Iowa's Tom Petrie.

Even after throwing for 246 yards on 12-of-13 passing in the first half against Indiana State, Sambursky downplayed his accomplishments.

But now he cannot deny it - he's the best.

Joel Sambursky was named Gateway Conference Offensive Player of the Year Tuesday, one of 16 Salukis named first or second team all-conference.

As expected, head coach Jerry Kill was named coach of the year. Kill was so busy talking to upperclassmen Tuesday he wasn't able to comment on his award, but the players were assembled for a quick press conference.

Sambursky, despite the award, still would not call himself the best quarterback in the conference.

"I guess that's what people think," Sambursky said. "I've got a lot of confidence in myself, but I really do feel humbled because I think there are a lot of great quarterbacks in the conference."

Sambursky has some help in earning the award, especially from fellow offensive first-teamers Brent Little and Elmer McDaniel.

It was a difficult time to receive such an award, given that three days earlier the season had come to a heart-shattering conclusion.

Most of the team seemed over it, but Sambursky said he would never forget it no matter what awards he receives.

"I'll probably be thinking about that, God willing, when I'm 90 years old," Sambursky said. "It's definitely an honor, but I'd give up any award in the country to be able to continue to be playing and to be vying for that national championship."

Those were the sentiments of Alexis Moreland, who was named to the first team for the second consecutive year and, more importantly, was wearing his trademark smile once again.

Moreland is used to these awards and likes to deflect attention from him when he gets them, and Tuesday was no different.

Linton Brown and Royal Whitaker joined Moreland on the defensive first team, though he said there could be a whole lot more.

"At the beginning of the season, I told a couple of people I wouldn't be surprised, especially on the defensive side of the ball, if we had all our starters on those teams," Moreland said.

Moreland also said he hopes to be playing some kind of football next season, although it is still a big question mark whether he will join Brandon Jacobs in the NFL.

For now, Moreland is just looking back at a season that as time progresses, seems to look better and better through the eyes of the team that played it. The team was a complete 180 from Saturday, and seemed to be content with its accomplishments.

As Sambursky pointed out, SIU was No. 1 for 10 weeks, experienced the pressures of high expectations and put the entire state on notice at Northern Illinois.

"It was a great season," Sambursky said. "It was a dream come true."