Dec. 10, 2002

Moraga, CA - - Samford wide receiver Aryvia Holmes and freshman return man Cortland Finnegan were named NCAA I-AA Independent Players of the Year Tuesday. Holmes was chosen the Offensive Player of the Year while Finnegan took home the Special Teams Player of the Year award. Saint Mary's free safety Weston Borba garnered Defensive Player of the Year honors and Tim Landis, who guided Saint Mary's to their third straight six-win season, was named the 2002 I-AA Independent Football Coach of the Year for the second straight season. The 2002 I-AA Independent All-Star Team and Player of the Year awards were chosen by the Sports Information Directors from the eight independent football schools in Division I-AA. The SID's were also responsible for selecting the I-AA Independent Player's of the Week as well.

Holmes became Samford's most prolific receiver during his senior season, setting the school record for career receptions in the first game of the season. He also broke the career receiving yards record and set a new school record for single-season receiving yards, which he set last season. Holmes finished the 2002 campaign with 84 receptions for 1,158 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns. Holmes finished the regular season ranked fourth in I-AA in receptions per game (8.4), fifth in receiving yards per game (115.8), ninth in total receiving yards (1,158) and fourth in punt return (15.7 ypr). Holmes finishes his career with 210 receptions for 2,955 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Finnegan, a true freshman, finished the season ranked second in I-AA in kickoff returns averaging 32.3 yards per return. The two-time I-AA Independent Special Teams Player of the Week had a career day against Murray State, returning six kicks for 263 yards and two 95-yard touchdowns. He finished the season with 23 kick returns for 741 yards and helped Samford finish seventh nationally in kickoff returns, averaging 23.8 yards per return as a team.

True freshman defensive back Cortland Finnegan was chosen the I-AA Independent Special Teams Player of the Year.

Holmes and sophomore wide receiver Efrem Hill were chosen to the I-AA Independent First Team Offense. Hill caught 39 receptions for 569 yards and six touchdowns and averaged 14.6 yards per catch. He finished second on the team in touchdown receptions and led the team in yards per catch. Senior defensive back Robert Evans, defensive end Blake Hall and junior linebacker Derrick Wheeler were chosen to the I-AA Independent First Team Defense. Evans led the team with 104 total tackles, 68 solo, 36 assisted and added six tackles for loss, three interceptions and one forced fumble. Hall finished with 41 total tackles, 30 solo, 11 assisted and led the team with 11 tackles for loss. He also added four sacks, five quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery. Wheeler finished second on the team in tackles and second in tackles for loss. He had 98 tackles, 65 solo, 33 assisted, 10 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. Finnegan was chosen as the First Team kickoff return specialist while Holmes was chosen the punt return specialist.

Samford quarterback Josh Kellett was named to the Second Team Offense. Kellett completed 130-of-225 for a career-high 1,518 yards, 12 touchdowns and a had 57.8 completion percentage. Senior linebacker Matthew Forester and Finnegan were each named to the Second Team Defense. Forester finished third on the team in total tackles and quarterback sacks. He had 85 tackles, 55 solo, 30 assisted, six tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Finnegan led the secondary in pass break-ups with nine and recorded 46 tackles, 35 solo, 11 assisted, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. Senior kicker Chip Walters was chosen a Second Team Specialist. Walters led Samford in scoring with 57 points. He made 11-of-18 field goals and 24-of-28 extra points.

Weston Borba was a four time I-AA Independent Defensive Player of the Week and tallied a team-high 115 total tackles on the season. Borba, who finished the season with 85 solo tackles, averaged 9.6 tackles per game, had four interceptions, two touchdowns, broke up nine passes, forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and had one sack. Landis, who led the Gaels to their third straight six-win season, was named the I-AA Independent Coach of the Year for the straight season. The Gaels' 6-6 record in 2002 was the best among I-AA Independent schools.

In all, 44 players were represented on the 2002 I-AA Independent All-Star Team. Saint Mary's and Florida International finished with six players on the first team. Samford finished with five first team selections, Cal Poly had three first team selections and Southern Utah garnered two first team honorees.

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