Collegio Online

Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: File Photo No. 14 Mark Smith is congratulated after a touchdown in this file photo. Smith was named one of four 2008 captains.

Pittsburg State University head football coach Chuck Broyles announced Tuesday, April 8, that the Gorilla football team has selected team captains for the 2008 season.
Four members of the PSU football team were honored as captains: senior quarterback Mark Smith, senior running back Caleb Farabi, senior inside linebacker Rusty Morgan and senior defensive end Rashad Pittman.

Captains were determined by a vote of all Pitt State team members.

"All four of these young men are very deserving of carrying the title of team captain," Broyles said. "It's a very significant honor, as well as a large responsibility for them. Successful football teams all have great leadership among their players. These four individuals certainly are team leaders and they'll be counted upon by our coaching staff to continue to be great leaders for the Gorillas."

Smith assumes the captain's role for a second season, while Farabi, Morgan and Pittman all are first-time selections.
Smith completed 111 of 176 passes (.631) for 1,737 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed the ball 179 times for 939 yards and 12 more scores, while directing a Pitt State offense that averaged 37.4 points and 452.4 total yards per game in 2007. He was a first-team All-MIAA selection and Smith garnered honorable mention All-America honors.

Farabi, also from Pittsburg, rushed the ball 247 times for 1,370 yards (5.5 ypc) and 20 touchdowns, averaging 124.5 yards per game. He also caught 31 passes for 291 yards and one touchdown, compiling 1,661 all-purpose yards on the season. Farabi was a first-team All-MIAA selection and he received honorable mention All-America honors as well.

Morgan, a native of Cushing, Okla., recorded 66 tackles (32 solo) with 4.5 tackles-for-loss and four pass breakups in 2007. He was an honorable mention All-MIAA honoree.

Pittman, a Tulsa native, logged 56 tackles (26 solo) with 7.0 tackles-for-loss, including 3.0 quarterback sacks last year. He also garnered honorable mention All-MIAA recognition.

The newly appointed captains will have a chance to prove their mettle at the annual Spring Game, to be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, at Brandenburg Field and Carnie Smith Stadium. The Spring Game is open and free to the public.

For more information about Spring Game activities, call 235-4148 or 235-4147.

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