EIU's Erik Lora Named First Team All American

PHILADELPHIA – Eastern Illinois junior wide receiver Erik Lora was named a first team All-American by the Sports Network Monday marking his second appearance on a post-season All-America team this season.  Lora was named a first team AFCA All-American last week.

Lora set the FCS single season record for receptions this year making 136 catches for 1,664 yards. Lora led the FCS in both categories as his 1,664 yards receiving was the fourth best single season total in FCS history. Lora finished fourth in balloting for this year's Walter Payton Award after earning OVC Offensive Player of the Year honors. He opened the season with seven straight 100 yard receiving games which ties for the best FCS total since 2000.

Lora becomes the 8th Eastern Illinois player to make the Sports Network All-America first team and the first since EIU placed four on the first team in 2002. That season the Panthers had Kevin Hill (offensive guard), Nick Ricks (linebacker), Tony Romo (quarterback) and J.R. Taylor (running back) all earn first team accolades. The other first team selections for EIU were Dan Dee (DT, 1992) and Tim Lance (DB, 1990).  John Jurkovic was a two-time first team selection in both 1988 and 1989 at defensive tackle.

Eastern Illinois won the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference regular season championship advancing to the first round of the FCS playoffs, the 14th FCS playoff appearance in program history.

The Sports Network has been selecting an FCS All-American team since the 1987. In addition to selecting an All-American team, the Sports Network selects and presents the four major FCS season awards; Walter Payton Award (offensive player), Buck Buchanan Award (defensive player), Eddie Robinson Award (coach) and Jerry Rice Award (top freshman).

Lora was one of three Ohio Valley Conference players on the first team joining Walter Powell of Murray State as an all-purpose player and A.C. Leonard of Tennessee State at tight end.