WILLIAMS, PAYNE, AND CUNNINGHAM NAMED PRESEASON ALL-SUN BELT
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
NEW ORLEANS -- Louisiana Monroe placed three on the 2006 Preseason
All-Sun Belt Team ? senior defensive backs Chaz Williams and Kevin
Payne, and junior offensive lineman Kyle Cunningham. The league
announced the team today at Sun Belt Conference Media Days.
?It?s not surprising that Kevin Payne, Chaz Williams and Kyle
Cunningham are preseason picks,? said ULM head coach Charlie
Weatherbie. ?What they?ve done over the past two to three years gives
them that notoriety. I?m excited about their leadership and the
success of our team is in good hands with these great leaders.?
Chaz Williams was a first team all-Sun Belt selection in 2005 and
ranked fifth in the NCAA in interceptions. The Lake Charles, La.
native also ranked third in the league in passes defended. He was
fourth on the team in tackles with 46. Williams had a season-high 10
tackles, including nine solo stops, against Florida International. He
also had two games with multiple interceptions ? at Florida Atlantic
and against Troy.
Kevin Payne is a two-time all-Sun Belt second team selection at two
positions. In 2005, he was honored as a defensive back and as a
freshman in 2003 he was a second-team running back and the league?s
Freshman of the Year. He led ULM in tackles with 87 and solo stops
with 61 last season, ranking sixth in the Sun Belt.
Kyle Cunningham was a second team All-Sun Belt selection in 2005. He
led an offensive line of three sophomores and two freshmen that
started all 11 games. The line only allowed only eight sacks in 2005,
and only one in Sun Belt action. After giving up five over the first
three games of the season, line play tightened up and only allowed
three over the last eight games of the season.
The league?s coaches selected the Warhawks to finish fifth in 2006
with 31 points and one first place vote. ULM won the Sun Belt title
in 2005 and has 40 letterwinners returning, including 13 starters.
The Sun Belt Conference also released its 2006 television schedule.
The Warhawks will be televised five times during the season ? all five
on the road. ULM will be on ESPN Regional against Arkansas State
(Oct. 7), Troy (Oct. 14), and Florida International (Nov. 11). The
Warhawks game against Arkansas on Oct. 28 will be telecast on ESPNU,
while the Sept. 16 game against Alabama will be produced by Crimson
Tide Sports Network for pay-per-view.
