Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University (SIU) led the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) with five players named to the All-Newcomer team, as announced by the league on Tuesday. The selected players are linebacker Colin Bohanek, defensive end Devin Cowan, wide receiver Vinson Davis III, safety Ubayd Steed, and defensive end Tim Varga.

SIU's defense had a strong presence on the postseason award list, with four of its members recognized. The unit ranks among the Top 10 nationally in several statistical categories: sixth in points allowed (15.8 points per game), third in yards allowed (281.4 yards per game), fifth in run defense (92.9 yards per game), ninth in sacks (3.00 sacks per game), and fifth in pass efficiency defense (111.27).

Linebacker Colin Bohanek, a junior from Chicago and an Eastern Illinois transfer, started 10 games this season, missing one due to injury. He finished fourth on the team in tackles with 54 and contributed 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Defensive end Devin Cowan, a senior from Fayetteville, North Carolina and a Fayetteville State transfer, started all 11 games this season. He ranked second on the team in sacks with four and scored a touchdown off a 61-yard fumble return against Indiana State.

Wide receiver Vinson Davis III played all 11 games and ranked tenth in the MVFC with 47 catches for 572 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, he returned 21 kickoffs for an average of 20.86 yards.

Safety Ubayd Steed started all 11 games this season and finished second on the team with 67 tackles along with two interceptions and four pass breakups.

Defensive end Tim Varga led SIU with 4.5 sacks this season while adding 35 tackles and six-and-a-half tackles for loss over his eleven starts.