EIU's Fanti Named Second Team All-American

CHICAGO – Eastern Illinois defensive tackle Dino Fanti was named a second team All-American by STATS FCS Footballon Tuesdaymorning as the first FCS All-American team of 2015 was released.   Fanti was one of seven players from the Ohio Valley Conference that earned FCS All-American honors.

Fanti (Venice, Fla.) was named the co-OVC Defensive Player of the Year this past season as he helped lead EIU to a 16^thappearance in the FCS playoffs with a 7-5 overall record, 7-1 in the OVC.  Fanti was dominant over the final two weeks of the year earning back-to-back OVC Defensive Player of the Week honors including a National Defensive Player of the Week Award during the win over UT Martin.  Fanti finished the year with 63 total tackles including 22 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.  He had five forced fumbles, nine quarterback hurries, one pass break-up and one fumble recovery.  During the year he set both the EIU career and single season record for tackles for loss.  Fanti ranked eighth in the FCS in tackles for loss and 41^stin sacks. 

This marks the fourth straight year that EIU has had at least one All-American selection in football. 

EIi Jenkins of Jacksonville State was named the first team quarterback after winning OVC Offensive Player of the Year honors.  Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky, the co-Defensive Player of the Year in the OVC with Fanti, was named to the FCS All-American first team defense.