Georgia State dominates All-Sun Belt awards

Georgia State placed 12 players and coach Trent Miles on the All-Sun Belt Conference teams released on Wednesday, including dominating the big awards.

Miles was selected coach of the year for leading the Panthers to a 6-6 record and their first bowl berth. The team went 1-23 in his first two seasons.

Quarterback Nick Arbuckle was selected student-athlete of the year for passing for more than 4,100 yards with 26 touchdowns. The senior’s play, as well as that of the defense, led the Panthers on a four-game winning streak to end the regular season and secure the invitation to the Cure Bowl in Orlando. Arbuckle led the conference with an average of 346.7 passing yards per game. He needs just 94 yards to tie Troy’s Levi Brown for the most passing yards in Sun Belt history.

Wide receiver Penny Hart was selected freshman of the year for leading the Sun Belt in receptions (71) and yards (1,095).

It was the first coach of the year, player of the year and newcomer of the year awards in Georgia State’s six years of playing football. The league’s coaches and a media panel that didn’t include the Atlanta Journal-Constitution voted on the awards.

Arbuckle and Hart were joined by receiver Robert Davis (60 catches, 979 yards) and safety Tarris Batiste (95 tackles, 4 interceptions) on the all-conference first teams.

Georgia State placed three players on the all-conference second team, including tight end Keith Rucker (39 catches, 522 yards), linebacker Joseph Peterson (team-leading 106 tackles) and placekicker/punter Wil Lutz.