For the first fourth-straight year, the Gateway’s Freshman of the Year is a quarterback, while a Southern Illinois running back has claimed the league’s newcomer honor for the second time in three seasons. RB Brandon Jacobs is the third Saluki to earn the league’s Newcomer of the Year honor, while QB Eric Sanders is the second Panther to earn the league’s six-year-old Freshman of the Year honor.

The duo heads a list of 22 student-athletes named to the 2004 Gateway All-Newcomer Team. Gateway coaches, sports information directors and a media panel selected the team. The top 11 vote-getters on offense and defense were named to the team.

During the regular season, Jacobs led the conference with 15 TDs, while averaging 6.6 yards per carry. He rushed for 826 yards on just 125 carries and was selected to the all-Gateway Conference second team. Sanders, meanwhile, threw for 1,307 yards, a school freshman record, and 15 TDs, while taking over for an injured Tom Petrie in UNI’s fourth game. His efficiency rating of 162.86 ranks among the nation’s top five. He also rushed for 171 yards, fourth-best on the team, and three TDs while leading his team to six-straight wins.

OFFENSE

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RS Therral Hatfield, Indiana State, So.
RB Brandon Jacobs, Southern Illinois, Sr.
OL Erik Losey, Western Kentucky, Jr.
WR Kevett Mickle, Illinois State, Fr.
RB Brian Porter, Western Kentucky, So.
QB Eric Sanders, UNI, Fr.
OL Fred Staugh, Indiana State, So.
RB Brian Thompson, Illinois State, Jr.
FB Craig Turner, Southern Illinois, Fr.
RB Arkee Whitlock, Southern Illinois, So.
QB Tom Zetts, Youngstown State, Fr.

DEFENSE

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CB Darren Barnett, SMS, Jr.
LB LaDrelle Bryant, Indiana State, Jr.
LB Travis Cherry, Western Illinois, Fr.
LB Orlando "Doc" Gooden, Indiana State, Jr.
LB Darryl Johnson, SMS, Jr.
LB Brett Koebcke, UNI, Jr.
DB Marion Rumph, Western Kentucky, Fr.
LB James Terry, Youngstown State, Fr.
DL Daniel Williams, Western Kentucky, Jr.
DB Michael Woods, Western Illinois, Sr.
DL Joe Woolridge, Western Kentucky, Jr.