EIU Has Five Players Earn All-OVC Honors

Eastern Illinois football had five players earn All-Ohio Valley Conference honors with seniors Devin Church and Seth McDonald both named to the first team as the league released its All-Conference team on Tuesday.

Joining Church and McDonald were Evan Kanz and David Johnson on the All-OVC second team.  Johnson and Mitch Kimble were named to the OVC All-Newcomer team.

The Panthers finished the season 6-5 with a 24-0 win at Eastern Kentucky to post the program’s second straight winning season and fourth winning campaign in the last five years.

Church led the OVC in rushing yards finishing the season with 1,066 yards to become the 12th player in school history with a 1,000 yard rushing season.  He was a first team All-OVC selection at running back as he was the third EIU player to win the OVC rushing crown.  Church was 13th in the NCAA in rushing following the regular season.  He had 13 total touchdowns to tie for the conference lead with seven rushing touchdowns and six touchdown receptions.  Church was the Panthers top receiver hauling in 41 catches for 386 yards.

McDonald was a first team All-OVC selection at linebacker as he led the Panthers with 99 tackles.  He ranked fourth in the league in tackles adding 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack.  McDonald just missed becoming the first player since Nick Ricks to record back-to-back 100 tackle campaigns.

Kanz was named a second team All-OVC selection at offensive tackle.  Kanz was the veteran linemen on a unit that ranked third in the league in total offense at 404.8 yards per game.  The Panthers offense was first in the OVC in 3rd down conversion.

Johnson joined the Panthers for the start of Ohio Valley Conference play as a transfer from South Carolina.  Johnson was named to the All-OVC second team and All-OVC Newcomer teams as a defensive lineman.  He finished fifth on the Panthers team with 51 tackles tying for the team lead with 12.5 tackles for loss.  He ranked third in the league in tackles for loss.  Johnson added three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Kimble was named to the All-OVC Newcomer team as the quarterback passed for 1,414 yards playing in seven games as injuries shortened the season of the transfer from Syracuse.  Kimble had 13 touchdown passes while adding two scores on the ground as he rushed for 139 yards.  Kimble ranked seventh in the OVC in passing yards and fifth in touchdown passes.

Regular season champion Jacksonville State swept the top awards for the league with Eli Jenkins winning his second straight OVC Offensive Player of the Year Award.  John Grass was named the OVC Coach of the Year.  Darius Jackson was the OVC Defensive Player of the Year and Marlon Bridges was the OVC Freshman of the Year.