Jan. 11, 2002

Don Hansen's Football Gazette has honored Southeast Missouri State University football players Curtis Cooper and Willie Ponder as honorable mention All-Americans.

Cooper was named honorable mention as both a running back and return specialist. The senior from Toledo, Ohio, became the third player in Southeast history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. He had 1,198 rushing yards to rank second on the all-time singles season list at Southeast.

Cooper led the OVC and ranked sixth nationally in all-purpose running with 193.4 yards per game. He also led the OVC and ranked 19th nationally in punt returns with 15.4 yards per return.

Ponder, a junior from Tulsa, Okla., was named honorable mention as a wide receiver after becoming only the second player in Southeast history to have over 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Ponder had 70 catches for 1,090 yards. He also established a new school record for receiving touchdowns with 11 and tied the school record for receiving touchdowns in a game with three against Southwest Missouri.

McDOWELL HAS SHOULDER SURGERY

Record setting Southeast Missouri State University quarterback Jeromy McDowell underwent shoulder surgery on Thursday, Jan. 3, and will miss spring practice.

McDowell, a redshirt freshman, became just the third player in Southeast history to pass for over 2,000 yards in a season. He established a new Southeast freshman record with 2,051 yards.

The surgery on his throwing shoulder tightened ligaments and cleaned up scar tissue.

McDowell is expected to be ready for the start of fall drills in 2002.