Orono, Maine -- Nine different members of the University of Maine football team were honored for 10 different Colonial Athletic Association All-Conference accolades, as announced by the conference on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

Micah Wright (So., WR), Pat Ricard (Sr., DL) and Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga (Sr., LB) each earned first team all-conference honors. Wright also received a second team honor as a punt returner. Dan Collins (Sr., QB), Max Andrews (Sr., OL), Jamil Demby (Jr., OL), Earnest Edwards (Fr., KR), Sterling Sheffield (So., LB) and Najee Goode (Jr., CB) all received third-team all-conference nods.

Wright ranked fifth in the league with 4.89 receptions per game, third in receiving yards per game (76.4), eight with 100.9 all-purpose yards, eighth in total scoring (48 pts/5.3 per game). In total, Wright saw action in nine games, leading the Black Bears in receptions (44), receiving yards (688) and reception touchdowns (7); second-highest in the league. Wright averaged 15.6 yards per catch. On the special teams side, Wright led the conference in punt return average, checking in at 11.1 yards per return. Wright returned 17 punts for 189-yards, including a 67-yard return for a touchdown at William and Mary. For his performance at William and Mary, Wright earned CAA Special Teams Player of the Week honors. For Wright, these are his second and third all-conference honors after being named to the All-CAA second team a year ago at wide receiver.

Ricard, a All-CAA preseason selection, followed up the prediction with his second All-CAA first team honor ('15). The senior lineman completed his season with 11 starts and 50 tackles, including 15.5 for loss (TFLs) and 5.5 sacks. Ricard was a constant in the opponent's backfield, ranking fifth in the league in sacks and second in TFLs. Ricard, who averaged 1.41 TFLs, was named CAA Defensive Player of the Week after notching 3.0 sacks, 3.5 TFLs and eight total tackles in a win over Bryant. Against Villanova, Ricard again tallied eight tackles but this time racked up 5.0 TFLs. Ricard finishes his Maine career with an astonishing 47.5 TFLs.

Mulumba Tshimanga, who received his third All-CAA first team honor, ranked second in the league with 9.7 tackles per game. Mulumba Tshimanga notched double-digit tackling performances in six of the 10 games his appeared in during the 2016 season. In all, the senior linebacker finished the campaign with 97 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks and a pair of pass breakups. Mulumba Tshimanga recorded double-digit tackle totals in each of Maine's first three games, including a season-high 14 against James Madison. He ended his career with one of his best career games, tallying a game-high 11 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and 1.5 sacks with a pass breakup against New Hampshire. For his career, Mulumba Tshimanga racked up an outstanding 347 tackles.

Collins, who earned his first CAA all-conference honor,, settled in as Maine's starter under center for his senior season and produced a great final season for the Black Bears. Collins was second in the CAA in passing yards per game (215.9), fifth in pass efficiency (123.6) and third in total offense (221.0). Collins threw for 200+ yards in seven of Maine's 11 games, including a 307-yard, three touchdown game in a win at Delaware. The senior quarterback finished the year with 166 completions for 2,375-yards and 18 touchdowns; tying for second in the league in passing touchdowns. Collins averaged 14.3 yards per completion and ends his career seventh on Maine's all-time passing list. His 2,375 yards during the 2016 season was eighth best in Maine history.

Andrews and Demby each receive their first CAA all-conference accolades. Andrews who made the tough transition from tight end, inside, to eventually becoming Maine's center, anchored Maine's offensive line which produced eight games of over 100 yards rushing. Demby, voted game offensive captain by his peers on many occasions, proved his leadership in guiding a unit which surrendered just 14 sacks all season; down four from a year ago.

Edwards burst on to the scene during his freshman season and proved to be one of the most electrifying freshmen in the league. Edwards finished the year ranked third in the CAA in kick return average (24.5). Edwards, who was the only player in FCS football to score a touchdown via passing, receiving, rushing and off a kick return, took back a kick 97-yards for a score against Villanova. His four returns for 152-yards and a touchdown earned him CAA Special Teams Player of the Week honors. In all, Edwards returned 20 kicks for 389-yards.

Sheffield followed up an impressive freshman season with a tremendous sophomore campaign. The linebacker ranked 33rd in the league at 5.0 tackles per game and sixth in sacks with 5.0. Sheffield flooded the stats sheet, racking up 65 total stops, 11.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, forced and recovered a fumble and added an interception, four pass breakups and a blocked kick. Against James Madison, Sheffield tallied a single-season high nine tackles, 1.0 for loss with a sack. In six different games, Sheffield tallied seven or more tackles. At Stony Brook, the sophomore linebacker recorded 3.0 TFLs with 2.0 sacks.

Goode came up with several big plays all season for the Black Bears. At UConn, he came off the edge with a blitz, sacking the quarterback and causing a fumble of which he returned 74-yards for a score. At William & Mary, on the Tribe's last drive in a one score game, Goode forced a fumble to give the ball back to Maine, sealing the win. At Stony Brook, with the Seawolves driving for a potential game-winning score, Goode snatched an interception, again sealing a win for the Black Bears. In all, the junior cornerback tallied 40 tackles, 3.5 for loss, with a sack, two interceptions, seven pass breakups and three forced fumbles.

*All-Conference voted on by the league's head coaches.

-UMaine-