Edinburg Daily Review

RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The Southland Conference announced on Tuesday that The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) senior quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger is the Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and an all-conference first team offense selection, freshman wide receiver Tony Diaz is the Southland Conference Freshman of the Year and an all-conference first team offense selection, freshman offensive lineman Nick Hughes and junior punter Nathaniel Wallace-Dilling are all-conference second team offense selections, and junior defensive end Ian Box is an all-conference second team defense selection.

The seven honors are the fourth most of any team in the conference.

Eddie Lee Marburger (Newcomer of the Year, All-Conference First Team Quarterback)

A Walter Payton Award finalist, a National Offensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention and Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 27 and the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention on Sept. 1, Marburger started all 12 games for the Vaqueros, going 199-for-305 (65.2%) for 2,780 yards and 31 touchdowns in the air while averaging 231.7 yards per game and 13.97 yards per completion. He also rushed for 308 yards on 79 carries, an average of 3.9 yards per carry and 25.7 yards per game. Marburger scored four rushing touchdowns. In total, Marburger recorded 3,088 yards of total offense, an average of 257.3 yards per game.

Marburger leads the Southland in nine offensive categories, ranking third in the FCS in passing touchdowns (31), fourth in passing efficiency (170.8), fifth in points responsible four (210), sixth in points responsible for per game (17.5), ninth in passing yards per completion (13.97) and yards per pass attempt (9.11), 14th in passing yards (2,780), and 18th in passing yards per game (231.7) and total yards per game (257.3). He also ranks 31st in the FCS and third in the Southland in completion percentage (65.2%) and 40th in the FCS and second in the Southland in completions per game (16.58).

Tony Diaz (Freshman of the Year, All-Conference First Team Wide Receiver)

A Jerry Rice Award finalist, two-time National Freshman of the Week Honorable Mention (Oct. 27 and Nov. 17) and the Nov. 17 Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week, Diaz led the Vaqueros with 11 touchdowns among his 68 receptions for 875 yards, an average of 12.9 yards per reception and 72.9 yards per game.

Diaz ranks fourth in the FCS and first in the Southland in receiving touchdowns (11), 14th in the FCS and second in the Southland in receptions per game (5.67), 21st in the FCS and first in the Southland in receiving yards (875), 32nd in the FCS and second in the Southland in receiving yards per game (72.9), 40th in the FCS and second in the Southland in total touchdowns (11), 97th in the FCS and eighth in the Southland in total points scored (66), 107th in the FCS and ninth in the Southland in scoring (5.5), 151st in the FCS and 12th in the Southland in all-purpose yards per game (72.83), 178thin the FCS and ninth in the Southland in yards per receptions (12.87), and 196th in the FCS and 16th in the Southland in points responsible for (66).

Diaz has posted four games of 100+ receiving yards, including a career-high 172 vs. UIW on 17 receptions, the third-most in Southland history (10/25). He scored touchdowns in nine games, including a career-high three in a win at McNeese (11/15). He also made several one-handed catches, including for big gains and touchdowns.

Ian Box (All-Conference Second Team Defensive Lineman)

Box posted 24 tackles (11 solo), including 8.0 for a loss of 36 yards, 5.5 sacks for 30 yards, a fumble recovery, and nine quarterback hurries in 12 games. He ranked 78th in the FCS & fourth in the Southland in sacks per game (0.46), and 93rd in the FCS & ninth in the Southland in fumble recoveries (1). Box recorded a career-high five tackles (two solo), plus 2.0 sacks for a loss of 16 yards vs. Houston Christian University (10/4). He also had 2.0 sacks for 12 yards vs. Nicholls (11/8).

Nick Hughes (All-Conference Second Team Offensive Lineman)

Hughes started all 12 games on the offensive line, anchoring a unit that allowed just 1.50 sacks per game, the 31st best mark in the FCS and second best in the Southland. The offensive line consistently gave Marburger considerable time to make passes, allowing him and the UTRGV offense to be among the best in the nation. The extra time also helped the UTRGV offense to go the entire season without committing a fumble.

Nathaniel Wallace-Dilling (All-Conference Second Team Punter)

Wallace-Dilling punted 45 times for 1,965 yards, ranking 16th in the FCS and second in the Southland in punting average at 43.7 yards per punt. He placed 17 punts inside the 20, including several inside the 5, with 14 punts over 50 yards, including one of 58 yards. Only four of his punts resulted in touchbacks and nine in fair catches.

2025 Southland Conference Football Individual Superlative Winners
Player of the Year: Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern
Offensive Player of the Year: Sam Vidlak, SFA
Defensive Player of the Year: KK Reno, Southeastern
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Erik Gray, SFA
Newcomer of the Year: Eddie Lee Marburger, UTRGV
Freshman of the Year: Tony Diaz, UTRGV
Coach of the Year: Colby Carthel, SFA

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