News | Football lands five players on MVFC All-Newcomer team - Southern Illinois University Athletics

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois led the Missouri Valley Football Conference with All-Newcomer team selections, the league announced on Tuesday — LB Colin Bohanek, DE Devin Cowan, WR Vinson Davis III, S Ubayd Steed and DE Tim Varga.

With four of the 12 players, SIU's defense was strongly represented on the postseason award list, as the unit ranks among the Top 10 nationally in numerous statistical categories.

6th in points allowed (15.8 points/game)
3rd in yards allowed (281.4 yards/game)
5th in run defense (92.9 yards/game)
9th in sacks (3.00 sacks/game)
5th in pass efficiency defense (111.27)

#16 LB Colin Bohanek, 6-0, 236, Jr., Chicago, Ill. / Eastern Illinois transfer
Started 10 games (missed 1 due to injury) and finished 4th on the team in tackles (54) with 6.5 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR … Key part of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense … Had a season-high 14 tackles vs. South Dakota State ... Had 13 tackles vs. Missouri State and 11 vs. Austin Peay.

#2 DE Devin Cowan, 6-3, 222, Sr., Fayetteville, N.C. / Fayetteville State transfer
Started all 11 games … Ranked 2nd on the team in sacks (4.0), including strip sacks vs. Austin Peay and Murray State … Returned a fumble 61 yards for a touchdown vs. Indiana State … Key part of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense.

#11 WR Vinson Davis III, 5-8, 168, Sr., Miramar, Fla. / Charleston Southern transfer
Played in all 11 games and ranked 10th in the MVFC in catches (47) with 572 yards and 2 TDs … Had a season-high 126 receiving yards and 1 TD at SEMO ... Caught season-high 9 passes vs. Missouri State … Had at least 2 catches in every game … Also returned 21 kickoffs for 438 yards and 20.86 average.

#7 S Ubayd Steed, 5-11, 188, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa. / Towson State transfer
Started all 11 games and finished 2nd on the team in tackles (67), with 2 interceptions and 4 PBUs … Key part of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense … Had a season-high 15 tackles vs. South Dakota and 11 tackles at Youngstown State.

#97 DE Tim Varga, 6-4, 247, Sr., Newton, N.C. / Eastern Illinois transfer
Started all 11 games … Led the team with 4.5 sacks … Added 35 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4 QB hurries, 1 forced fumble … Had a career-high 7 tackles with 2.0 sacks at Northern Illinois … Named MVFC Newcomer of the Week for his performance vs. Indiana State that included a strip sack … Key part of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense.

All Newcomer