SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference Sports Media Association selected its SoCon Football All-Conference Teams and Specialty Awards for the 2011 season. Wofford's Eric Breitenstein was named the Roy M. "Legs" Offensive Player of the Year, while Georgia Southern junior defensive lineman Brent Russell was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year. Chattanooga's Terrell Robinson earned the Freshman of the Year Award, while GSU's Jeff Monken was named the Wallace Wade Coach of the Year.
Breitenstein becomes the first Terrier to be named the league's Roy M. "Legs" Offensive Player of the Year. The junior fullback led the league and ranks 11th nationally with 122.1 yards per game. The Valle Crucis, N.C., native had nine 100-yard rushing performances in 2011 and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. Breitenstein scored 16 touchdowns and averaged 8.73 points per game, the tenth-best mark in the nation.
Russell helped anchor one of the top defenses in all of the FCS. A finalist for the Buck Buchanan award that goes to the nation's top defensive player, Russell recorded 48 tackles, including 11.5 for loss this season. He was credited with five sacks, two quarterback hurries and a blocked kick. The junior is part of a unit that ranks 23rd in the nation in scoring defense, yielding just 20.8 points per game. Russell is just the second Eagle to be named Defensive Player of the Year by the league's media, joining linebacker Chris Covington who won the award in 2008.
Robinson was named the league's Freshman of the Year after teammate Kadeem Wise was honored with the same award in 2010. The freshman signal caller went 3-1 as the Mocs' starting quarterback in relief of senior B.J. Coleman. Robinson earned the league's Freshman of the Week award three straight times in October. He completed 27 of 43 passes for 336 yards and six touchdowns. A dual threat for UTC, Robinson also carried 90 times for 417 yards and 5 TDs.
Monken led Georgia Southern to a 9-2 record this fall, including a 7-1 mark in league play. The Eagles won their sixth outright Southern Conference Championship and ninth overall and earned the league's automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs. Monken becomes the first Georgia Southern coach since Paul Johnson (1997 & 1998) to win the Wallace Wade Coach of the Year Award. The Eagles earned the No. 3 seed in the FCS Playoffs and will host either Old Dominion or Norfolk State December 3.
Furman and Georgia Southern placed nine players on the all-conference team, including six first-team selections for both schools. Appalachian State had eight players earn all-conference honors.
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