OGDEN, Utah - For the second-straight season, Northern Colorado senior tight end Ryan Chesla was named to the Big Sky All-Conference First Team, while senior linebacker Cristian Sarmento also earned a first-team nod this year. The Big Sky Conference announced the selections today, as well as the individual end of year honors.

The Bears placed a total of eight on the All-Conference teams as senior cornerback Myles Hayes, sophomore safety Max Hewitt, junior offensive guard Chris Jones, sophomore offensive tackle Ryan Kemp, senior linebacker Joe Kenney and sophomore wide receiver Brandon Smith were all named to the honorable mention team.

Weber State sophomore quarterback Cameron Higgins was named the Offensive Player of the Year, while senior defensive end Greg Peach from Eastern Washington was honored with Defensive Player of the Year. Northern Arizona freshman running back Deonte Williams was named the league's Newcomer of the Year.

Chesla ended the season with 488 yards on 37 receptions with two touchdowns to earn his second-straight First-Team award.

Sarmento ended the regular season ranked first in the Big Sky Conference in total tackles with 142 and third in the league with 10 sacks, along with second in tackles for loss with 15 and tied for the league lead with five fumbles forced. He also ranked tied for second in the nation with 12.9 tackles per game and tied for sixth in sacks. He also ranked third on the NCAA FCS active career leaders list with 370 tackles. Last season, Sarmento was named to the second-team.

This is the third all-conference award for Kenney, while the other five all earned the honors for the first time.

Northern Colorado ended its 2008 season on Saturday and posted a 1-10 record for eighth place in the conference.