RUBIO NAMED OVC's TOP DEFENDER; HAMBRICK, TERRILL JOIN OVC FIRST TEAM

Angel Rubio had the kind of football season that most players only dream about.

The senior defensive tackle star at Southeast Missouri State University was second in the Ohio Valley Conference in total tackles (114), second in tackles for loss (19) and he tied for fourth in quarterback sacks (7).

Not surprisingly -- even though he played for an Indians' team that finished seventh in the eight-team league -- Rubio was selected Tuesday as the OVC Defensive Player of the Year.

"It's a great honor for Angel and he's very deserving," said Southeast coach John Mumford. "He's worked hard to earn it and I'm very proud of him."

A 6-foot-3, 290-pounder from Modesto, Calif., Rubio overcame a serious knee injury that required surgery earlier in his career to become one of the nation's most dominating Division I-AA linemen. He's certain to make at least a few All-American teams when those are announced in the next several weeks.

"Angel just had a great career for us," said Mumford. "He's a dominating player, the kind of player that might make some people change an offensive scheme a little bit."

Rubio is one of three Southeast players to make the first team based on voting by the league's head football coaches and sports information directors (coaches and SID's are not allowed to vote for their own players).

Joining Rubio on the first team are senior punter Justin Terrill and junior defensive back Fred Hambrick.

Terrill led the OVC in punting with a 43.5-yard average which also ranked him eighth nationally.

"Justin really came around and had a great year. He was very consistent," Mumford said. "It was great to see that because Justin worked very hard to improve."

Hambrick tied for the OVC lead in interceptions with five. He also broke up nine passes.

"Fred had the five picks and it was nice to see him recognized," said Mumford.

Three Southeast juniors earned second-team honors: tight end Mitch Fryer, wide receiver Dante Bryant and defensive lineman Troy Baglio.

Fryer, a first-team all-OVC pick last year, had 17 receptions for 256 yards and also was a strong blocker.

Bryant was Southeast's leading receiver with 43 catches for 599 yards and five touchdowns.

Baglio, along with Rubio a part of one of the league's premier defensive lines, had 62 tackles, including seven for loss, and three sacks.

"I didn't see much better than those three this year either," said Mumford. "I'm happy they were recognized and I thought they could have easily been first team as well."

One player who Mumford strongly feels should have made the first team is senior safety Ronnie Smith, who somewhat stunningly only received honorable-mention status, along with two other Indians.

Smith was second on the team and ninth in the OVC with 90 tackles, he tied for fifth in the league with three interceptions and he had a league-best three defensive touchdowns, two on interceptions and one on a fumble recovery.

"I'm outraged Ronnie didn't get it," said Mumford. "It's a disservice to a great football player. They (the people who voted on the all-OVC team) don't have to look him in the eye in the morning. I do."

Joining Smith as Southeast honorable-mention selections are two offensive linemen, sophomore Chris Kiefer and junior Jessie Eaton. Kiefer is a Perryville High product.

"It's great for Chris and Jessie," Mumford said. "They have something to shoot for next year."

Eastern Kentucky quarterback Simon Fuentes and Tennessee State wide receiver Tyrone Butterfield shared OVC Offensive Player of the Year honors while Eastern Kentucky's Roy Kidd was named OVC Coach of the Year after leading the Colonels to the league title.

Fuentes completed 61.4 percent of his passes for 1,932 yards and led the OVC with a quarterback rating of 167.8. Butterfield led the league in receptions with 59 and receiving yards with 1,053.

Eastern Kentucky placed seven players on the first team, followed by Murray State with five and Eastern Illinois with four. Murray and Eastern Illinois tied for second in the league.