Dec. 23, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The staff of SouthernPigskin.com released its All-Southern Conference team on Tuesday, and three Samford players were named to the team.

Junior running back Chris Evans, senior center Jon Weber and junior linebacker Bryce Smith were Samford's three representatives on the team.

Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards was named the Offensive Player of the Year by the website. ASU's Mark LeGree was named the Defensive Player of the Year. The Offensive Rookie of the Year went to B.J. Coleman of Chattanooga, while Georgia Southern's Brent Russell was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Elon's Terrell Hudgins was named the X-Factor of the Year. Elon's Pete Lembo was named the league's Coach of the Year by the website.

Evans led the SoCon in rushing, averaging 104.7 yards per game. He rushed for 1,152 yards for the season, making him the first player in Samford history to rush for over 1,000 yards in three-straight seasons. Evans also became Samford's all-time leader in career rushing yards this season, finishing his junior season with 3,469 career rushing yards.

Weber has been Samford's starting center for the past three years. He has been the leader of an offensive line that has helped produce Samford's all-time leading rusher over the past three seasons.

Smith, despite missing one game due to injury, tallied 102 tackles, an average of 10.2 tackles per game, the third-highest average in the SoCon. Smith averaged 6.7 solo tackles per game, the highest average in the nation. Smith also led the Bulldogs in interceptions with four, and he had 11.0 tackled for a loss, tied for the second-highest total on the team.

SOUTHERNPIGSKIN.COM ALL-SOCON TEAM
OFFENSE
QB - Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State
RB - Chris Evans, Samford
RB - Devon Moore, Appalachian State
WR - Terrell Hudgins, Elon
WR - Andre Roberts, The Citadel
WR - Blue Cooper, Chattanooga
TE - Ben Jordan, Appalachian State
OT - Mario Acitelli, Appalachain State
OG - David Harrison, Elon
C - Jon Weber, Samford
OG - Pat Illig, Wofford
OT - Chris Werden, Elon

DEFENSE
DE - Josh Beard, Chattanooga
DT - Eric Ludwig, Elon
DT - Brent Russell, Georgia Southern
DE - Andre Campbell, Elon
LB - Jacque Roman, Appalachian State
LB - D.J. Smith, Appalachian State
LB - Bryce Smith, Samford
LB - Adrian McLeod, Western Carolina
CB - Cortez Gilbert, Appalachian State
S - Mark LeGree, Appalachian State
S - Cameron McGlenn, Elon
CB - Karlos Sullivan, Elon

SPECIAL TEAMS
K - Chris Camay, Chattanooga
P - Chris Tommie, Wofford
RS - Andre Robers, The Citadel
AP - Jamal Shuman, Elon

SoCon Offensive POY - Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State
SoCon Defensive POY - Mark LeGree, Appalachian State
SoCon Offensive ROY - B.J. Coleman, Chattanooga
SoCon Defensive ROY - Brent Russell, Georgia Southern
SoCon X-Factor of the Year - Terrell Hudgins, Elon
SoCon Coach of the Year - Pete Lembo, Elon