Football Sports

Key seniors to make impact in Armed Forces Bowl

The football team is hard at work preparing for the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth on Friday. For some Cougars, this is their last chance to play football. Here are some key seniors bound to make an impact against the University of Pittsburgh Panthers.

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Mbu was selected for the 2014 American Athletic Conference First Team and was a selection for Reese’s Senior Bowl Roster. | File Photo/The Cougar

Named one of this season’s captains, defensive tackle Mbu is finishing out his college career after being named to the American Athletic Conference’s First Team and selected to the roster of the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Mbu started all 12 regular season games and totaled 31 tackles, 2 and a half sacks and one interception. He also achieved his all-time career bests during the 2014 season, including eight tackles against UCF.[/tab] [tab title=”Markeith Ambles”]

Senior wide receiver Markeith Ambles led the receivers in yards per catch (14.82) last season and will be expected to be an outside threat after his break-out performance in the BBVA Compass Bowl. Ambles was one of three receivers to lead the team in receiving in a game.| File photo/The Daily Cougar

Ambles got a career-long 89 yard touchdown reception against Cincinnati this season. | File Photo/The Cougar

The wide receiver was off to a good start at the beginning of the season after being named to Phil Steele’s Preseason AAC Second Team. He played in all 12 regular season games, starting the last nine and averaged 16.2 yards per reception. He continued the streak clocking in a career best 89 yard touchdown reception against Cincinnati. [/tab] [tab title=”Bryce Redman”]

Sophomore center Bryce Redman (right) has been one of several players switching around for the Cougars. These changes can be credited both to injury as well as productivity. | Rebekah Stearns/The Daily Cougar

Redman (right) was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List and Phil Steele’s Preseason AAC First Team. | File Photo/The Cougar

Redman was named to the 2014 Rimington Trophy Watch List and Ohil Steele’s Preseason AAC First team before starting all 12 regular season games and is on a 33 game streak as a starting center.  Redman gained 2,194 yards throughout the season, leading to 4.8 yards per rush and 26 rushing touchdowns. [/tab] [tab title=”Efrem Oliphant”]

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Oliphant was named onto the 2014 American Athletic Conference’s Second Team.| Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

The linebacker totaled double-digit tackles nine times this season and was moved from weakside linebacker to middle linebacker after an injury took senior starter Derrick Mathews out in the sixth game. Oliphant achieved a career high two interceptions against Memphis and 16 tackles against Tulsa. Oliphant was honored multiple times throughout the season, including being named to Athlon Sports’ Preseason AAC Second Team and the American Athletic Conference’s Second Team.[/tab] [/tabgroup]

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