Nov. 20, 2007

By Tyler Koonce, Assistant Football Contact

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Three Southeast Missouri State football players were named to All-OVC squads for their performances during the 2007 season it was announced Tuesday. Adam Casper (Anna, Ill./Anna-Jonesboro) and Doug Spada (Shelby, N.C./Fork Union Military Academy) earned first team honors while Miles Edwards (Sicklerville, N.J./Winslow Township was named to the All-Newcomer squad.

Spada punts against Murray State on October 20. He was named first team All-OVC after averaging 42.5 yards per punt. (Patrick Clark)

Casper, a senior linebacker, was named to the first team for the second consecutive season after leading the OVC with 112 tackles, including 47 solo stops, in 10 games played, good for an average of 11.2 per contest. He was also credited with four tackles for losses totaling six yards, three forced fumbles, four pass breakups and two quarterback hurries. On September 29, he tied his career-high with 20 tackles versus Eastern Illinois for the second year in a row. He finished his Southeast career with 262 tackles, 137 unassisted stops, 14 tackles for losses totaling 30 yards, two fumble recoveries with one returned for a touchdown, one interception and one blocked field goal. He also scored two rushing touchdowns from the fullback position in 2004.

Edwards catches the game-winning touchdown on a six-yard slant pattern against Jacksonville State Saturday. He earned a spot on the OVC All-Newcomer team after leading the team with 34 receptions for 480 yards and seven touchdowns. (Stan Crader)

Spada, a sophomore who handled all kicking duties, was placed on the first team squad as a punter. On the season, he punted 59 times, averaging 42.5 yards per kick. He placed 27 inside the opponents 20-yard line and boomed 12 punts over 50 yards. He averaged a career-best 50.2 yards per punt, including a career-long 73-yard boot at Missouri State on November 10. Against Murray State on October 20, he placed six punts inside the Racers 20-yard line.

Edwards, a true freshman wide receiver, earned a spot on the OVC All-Newcomer team after leading the Redhawks with 34 receptions for 480 yards and seven touchdowns. Over the final four games, he caught 23 passes for 340 yards and six touchdowns. His breakout performance came against Austin Peay on November 3 when he set career-highs with eight receptions for 131 yards and three touchdowns, including one with 1:27 left in the game to force overtime and another in the extra session to force double overtime. He finished the season with four catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns and hauled in the game-winner in the comeback victory over Jacksonville State.