Nov. 23, 2011

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference Sports Media Association (SCSMA) released its football All-SoCon teams on Wednesday, and five Samford players were named to six different positions on the squads.

Senior defensive back Corey White was Samford's lone first-team selection. Sophomore running back Fabian Truss was named second team All-SoCon as both a running back and a return specialist. Wide receiver Kelsey Pope, defensive lineman Austin Hayes and place-kicker Cameron Yaw joined Truss on the second team.

Wofford running back Eric Breitenstein was named the Roy M. "Legs" Hawley Offensive Player of the Year, while Georgia Southern defensive lineman Brent Russell was named the SoCon's Defensive Player of the Year.

Chattanooga quarterback Terrell Robinson was named the league's Freshman of the Year. Georgia Southern's Jeff Monken was named the Wallace Wade Coach of the Year.

White tied for second in the SoCon in interceptions this season with four. He also ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 58, including 52 solo stops. White had three tackles for a loss and five pass break-ups.

Truss finished the season third in the conference in rushing, despite fighting an injury late in the season. He rushed for 847 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games. Truss averaged 5.6 yards per carry this season.

On special teams, Truss ranked second in the league in kick return average with an average of 29.3 yards per return. Overall, Truss led the SoCon and ranked fourth in the nation in all-purpose yards, averaging 177.4 per game.

Pope ranked second in the SoCon and sixth in the nation in receptions per game (7.82). He also ranked third in the league in receiving yards per game (73.6). He led Samford with 86 catches for 810 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Hayes led the Bulldogs in both tackles for a loss (12) and sacks (5). He finished the season with 48 total tackles, including 35 solo stops.

Yaw led the SoCon in scoring and scoring by kick (9.2 ppg.), and he ranked second in the nation in field goals per game (2.09).

Samford finished the 2011 season with a record of 6-5 overall and 4-4 in SoCon play, marking the school's first winning season since 2008.

2011 Media All-Southern Conference Football Team

Roy M. "Legs" Hawley Offensive Player of the Year - Eric Breitenstein, Jr., RB, Wofford
Defensive Player of the Year - Brent Russell, Jr., DL, Georgia Southern
Freshman of the Year - Terrell Robinson, QB, Chattanooga
Wallace Wade Coach of the Year - Jeff Monken, Georgia Southern

First Team Offense
QB Chris Forcier, Sr., Furman
RB Jerodis Williams, Jr., Furman
RB Eric Breitenstein, Jr., Wofford
OL Orry Frye, Sr., Appalachian State
OL Ryan Lee, Sr., Furman
OL Brett Moore, Sr., Georgia Southern
OL William Maxwell, Sr., Georgia Southern
OL Nate Page, Sr., Wofford
TE Colin Anderson, Jr., Furman
WR Brian Quick, Sr., Appalachian State
WR Aaron Mellette, Jr., Elon

First Team Defense
DL Derek Douglas, So., The Citadel
DL Brent Russell, Jr., Georgia Southern
DL Josh Williams, Jr., Chattanooga
DL Alex Goltry, Sr., Wofford
LB Joshua Jones, Sr., Elon
LB Kadarron Anderson, Sr., Furman
LB Alvin Scioneaux, So., Wofford
DB Demetrius McCray, Jr., Appalachian State
DB Ryan Steed, Sr., Furman
DB Laron Scott, Sr., Georgia Southern
DB Corey White, Sr., Samford

First Team Specialists
PK Adrian Mora, Sr., Georgia Southern
P Cass Couey, Jr., The Citadel
RS Laron Scott, Sr., Georgia Southern

Second Team Offense
QB Jaybo Shaw, Sr., Georgia Southern
RB Robert Brown, So., Georgia Southern
RB Fabian Truss, So., Samford
OL Matt Ruff, Sr., Appalachian State
OL Mike Sellers, So., The Citadel
OL Ned Cuthbertson, Sr., Elon
OL Dakota Dozier, So., Furman
OL Jake Miles, Jr., Wofford
OL (tie) Jared Singleton, So., Wofford
TE Ben Jorden, Sr., Appalachian State
WR Kelsey Pope, So., Samford
WR Joel Bradford, Sr., Chattanooga

Second Team Defense
DL Chris Billingslea, Jr., The Citadel
DL Josh Lynn, Jr., Furman
DL John Douglas, Sr., Georgia Southern
DL Austin Hayes, Sr., Samford
LB Jeremy Kimbrough, Jr., Appalachian State
LB Ryan Consiglio, Sr., Chattanooga
LB Wes Dothard, So., Chattanooga
DB Troy Sanders, Jr., Appalachian State
DB Nathan Wade, Jr., Furman
DB D.J. Key, So., Chattanooga
DB Kadeem Wise, So., Chattanooga

Second Team Specialists
PK Cameron Yaw, Jr., Samford
P Sam Martin, Jr., Appalachian State
RS Fabian Truss, So., Samford