Manning named first team all-America
12/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Manning named first team all-America
ACU defensive back honored as return specialist
WACO -- ACU defensive back Danieal Manning on Thursday was named first team NCAA Division II all-America by the American Football Coaches' Association, becoming just the 23rd player in ACU football history to be named first team all-America.
The honor is just the latest this season for the sophomore from Corsicana, who on Wednesday was named first team NCAA all-Southwest Region as a defensive back. One of the most dynamic players in the Lone Star Conference, Manning was named the LSC South Division Defensive Back of the Year this year.
Last season, Manning was named first team and the division's Freshman of the Year. He also earned first team all-region honors and third team all-America honors by Don Hansen's Football Gazette. He was named pre-season all-America by Don Hansen's Football Gazette prior to the start of the 2004 season.
After picking off six passes as a freshman in 2003, Manning had just two interceptions in 2004 as teams threw away from the sophomore safety from Corsicana. But he found other ways to impact games, returning two punts, one kickoff and one fumble for touchdowns during the season.
He led the LSC in both punt return and kickoff return average at 22.0 yards and 29.2 yards per return, respectively. He had a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown against Northeastern State, a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown against Tarleton State, a 91-yard kickoff return for a score against Angelo State and a 44-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Rams with less than three minutes to play that gave ACU a 29-25 win over ASU.
He is the first Wildcat defensive player to be named first team all-America since 1997 when defensive back Victor Burket and defensive lineman Junior Filikitonga were each named first team all-America. Manning is the first Wildcat player to be named to the all-America team as a return specialist.
