DENVER, COLO. -- Three SMU players - all from the Western Athletic Conference's top-rated defense - earned first team all-league honors today. Senior defensive end Kevin Aldridge, junior linebacker Vic Viloria and sophomore cornerback Jonas Rutledge were all honored in a vote of the conference's head coaches.

Aldridge, a Jacksonville, Texas native, led the team with 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks while ranking second with 71 tackles.

Viloria, a Chalmette, La. product, led the team and ranked third in the WAC with 105 tackles. He also led the team and tied for third in the league with 12 tackles for loss.

Rutledge had a breakthrough season in 2001, finishing with 53 tackles, four interceptions and 15 passes broken up. The Gainesville, Fla. native ranked fourth in the league in interceptions and tied for second in passes defensed. He also scored three touchdowns on a kickoff return, a blocked field goal return and an interception return.

Five other SMU players earned honorable mention accolades: senior offensive guard James McCarthy, senior safety Shane O'Neill, senior offensive tackle Joey Slaten, junior cornerback Kevin Garrett and freshman running back ShanDerrick Charles.