Cougs earn all-conference honors

Evan Baron Evergreen Football reporter

WSU senior safety Deone Bucannon earned Pac-12 first-team honors when Commissioner Larry Scott announced the All-Pac-12 teams Monday.

Bucannon became the first Cougar player to make the First-Team All-Pac-12 team since wide receiver Brandon Gibson in 2007, according to wsucougars.com.

Bucannon led the conference this year in tackles with 109, making this his second-straight 100 tackle season. Bucannon also recorded five interceptions and forced three fumbles in 2013. Bucannon had 74 solo tackles, which was the 10th highest in the entire country in 2013.

Bucannon’s performance has put him in the position as the No. 1 strong safety in the 2014 NFL Draft, and he is projected to be a second round pick, according to cbssports.com.

Four other Cougars received honorable mentions for All-Pac-12. WSU senior offensive lineman Elliott Bosch earned his second-straight All-Pac-12 honorable mention after starting all 12 games at center for the second straight consecutive year, according to wsucougars.com.

WSU freshman wide receiver River Cracraft, another Cougar who received an All-Pac-12 honorable mention, caught 37 receptions for 489 yards and had two touchdown catches.

WSU senior kicker Andrew Furney received his second-career all-conference honor. Last season Furney earned second team All-Pac-12. This season, Furney made 15 of 19 field goals and owns the third-most makes in school history, according to wsucougars.com.

WSU senior cornerback Damante Horton was the final Cougar to earn an honorable mention for All-Pac-12 in 2013. This season, Horton recorded five interceptions, which tied for fourth in the conference.

Horton also returned three interceptions for touchdowns this season, which led the conference. Horton recorded two interceptions in the win at USC earlier this season, and one of the interceptions went for a touchdown. Horton has four career interceptions that resulted in a touchdown, which is a WSU record, according to wsucougars.com.