COLLEGE FOOTBALL PERFORMANCE AWARDS

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Eastern Illinois wide receiver Chris Wright was named to the 2011 wide receiver preseason award list as named by College Football Performance Awards. The purpose of the CFPA is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.

Wright is one of 38 wide receivers named to the preseason list and one of four wide receivers listed from the Ohio Valley Conference. A junior from Skokie, Ill., Wright hauled in 21 passes as he became the Panthers top deep threat receiver. He led the squad with 557 yards receiving and six touchdowns. Wright's big performance of the season was against Tennessee State where he caught five passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers won in overtime in Nashville. He was named the OVC Player of the Week that week as he became just the fourth player in EIU history to have more than 200 yards receiving in a game.

EIU opens the 2011 season on Sept. 1 against Illinois State in the 100th meeting between the two in-state rivals.