2011 Complete All-OVC Release & Team

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Four Eastern Illinois players were named second team All-Ohio Valley Conference selections as the league released its 2011 All-OVC football team on Tuesday.  Artavious Dowdell, Cory Leman, Von Wise and Eric Zink were all selected.

Dowdell, a junior defensive end from Belle Glade, Fla., was a second team selection on the defensive line.  He finished the season with 45 total tackles including 7.5 tackles for loss.  Dowdell ranked second in the OVC in sacks with five as he led EIU that category for the second straight season.

Leman, a senior linebacker from Champaign, Ill., was a second team selection at linebacker.  Leman was a team captain this season and ranked third in the OVC in total tackles with 106.  He finished his career eighth on the Panthers career tackles list.

Wise, a junior tight end from Cincinnati, Ohio, became one of the Panthers top receivers late in the year as he lead all OVC tight ends with 32 catches for 348 yards.  Wise had two touchdown receptions.  He was a second team selection at tight end.

Zink, a senior offensive lineman from Oshkosh, Wis., was a second team selection at guard.  Zink a four-year starter for EIU and team captain started all 11 games at left guard.  He graded out among the leaders on the Panthers team for the season as he was the lone senior on a young offensive line.

The OVC also handed out its year end awards with Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State splitting the top honors.  Watson Brown of TTU was named the OVC Coach of the Year while Golden Eagles wide receiver Tim Benford was the OVC Offensive Player of the Year.  TSU's Michael German was the OVC Freshman of the Year while Tigers linebacker Rico Council was named the OVC Defensive Player of the Year.