Nov. 26, 2001

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Junior wide receiver Willie Ponder and senior punt and kickoff returner Curtis Cooper were selected first team all-OVC in voting by league coaches and sports information directors.

Cooper was also named second team all-OVC as a running back and joined six other Southeast players named to the second team. Other selections included sophomore offensive guard Eugene Amano, freshman offensive tackle Dan Connolly, defensive linebacker Corey Mathis, defensive lineman James Jennette, defensive safety Prince Anderson and junior punter Kyle East.

Sophomore offensive tackle Justen Meyer was named honorable mention all-OVC.

Ponder led the league in receptions per game with 6.36, receiving yards per game with 99.09 and total receiving yards with 1,090. He was only the second player in Southeast history to have over 1,000 yards receiving.

Cooper led the OVC in all-purpose running with 193.36 yards per game and in punt returns with an average of 16.36 yards per return. He was also third in the league in rushing with 222 caries for 1,196 yards, the second best single season rushing ever by a Southeast player.

"All of our players who were recognized by the OVC are certainly deserving," said Southeast coach Tim Billings. "Ponder and Cooper were two of the most exciting players in the league. Going into the season we were concerned about our young offensive line and three offensive linemen, Amano, Connolly and Meyer, ended up winning honors from the league. On defense, Jennette, Anderson and Mathis all had great seasons. East developed into a very good punter for us.

"I've said all along that we were a vastly improved team in the OVC and the fact that we had ten spots on the all-OVC teams this season as compared to five a year ago shows that we are making progress."