EIU's Fanti Garners More Honors

NEW YORK – Eastern Illinois defensive tackle Dino Fanti was named a third team All-American by the Associated Press on Wednesday, the senior’s second FCS All-American team selection this week.   Fanti was one of five players from the Ohio Valley Conference that earned AP 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 16th appearance 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 41st in sacks.
 
This marks the fourth straight year that EIU has had at least one All-American selection in football.

Fanti was named a second team All-American by STATS FCS Football on Tuesday, one of seven OVC players earning All-American honors by the organization.