HCA: Hercules Mata’afa and Cody O’Connell pick up AP All-American honors

The Associated Press released their yearly All-American honors on Monday and two Washington State football players found their name on the list. Hercules Mata’afa was named as a first team defensive tackle while Cody O’Connell was named to the second team offensive guard.

This is the fourth first-team All-American honors for Mata’afa this season so far as he has already earned them from SI.com, Walter Camp Foundation, and the Pac-12. He was also announced as a second team All-American from the Football Writers Association of America on Monday. Mata’afa has tallied 43 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery this season.

On the offensive side of the ball, after being a unanimous All-American last season, O’Connell slid from the first team to the second team this season. He was announced to the Football Writer Association of America first team on Monday as well adding to his resume. Last week he was named to the first team Pac-12 All-American list as well.

Both Mata’afa and O’Connell were named to the AP All-Pac-12 team last week. Mata’afa actually earned first team honors at two positions, defensive tackle and defensive end.

The two will look to continue their success and finish the season on a great note as the Cougars take on Michigan State in the Holiday Bowl on December 28th.

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Football:

Washington State’s Hercules Mata’afa named first team Associated Press All-American | The Spokesman-Review
Washington State’s Hercules Mata’afa was named to two more All-American lists on Monday, earning first team honors from the Associated Press and second team recognition from the Football Writers Association of America.

Isaiah Johnson-Mack granted release from Washington State football program | The Spokesman-Review
The sophomore wide receiver, who’d previously claimed Cougars coach Mike Leach wasn’t permitting him to leave the Cougars, announced Monday night that the school will allow him to speak to FBS schools in Johnson-Mack’s home state of Florida in addition to all FCS institutions.

2017 AP All-America Teams
The Associated Press All-America teams.

WSUCougars.com | Washington State University Athletics
Washington State defensive lineman Hercules Mata'afa and offensive lineman Cody O'Connell each picked up additional All-America honors Monday.

Volleyball:

Warning: NCAA volleyball is not immune to the yips
Nebraska's John Cook has seen it happen. Ditto for Stanford's Kevin Hambly. Washington State setter Nicole Rigoni lived it. Whether you call it the "monster," the "beast" or the "yips," the condition has made its way to NCAA volleyball.