Murray State University Athletics
Six Racers Named to Preseason All-OVC Team
7/27/2009 5:00:00 PM | Football
Murray State placed a league-high six players on the 2009 Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference team in a vote conducted by the league's head coaches and sports information directors, the conference office announced Monday. The Racers landed three players on the offense (wide receiver Derrick Townsel, tight end DeAngelo Nelson and guard Eric Ornella), two on defense (defensive end Austen Lane and defensive back Taylor Lanigan) and one on special teams (kicker Kienan Cullen).
In a separate vote, the Racers were picked to finish fifth in the eight-team league. Jacksonville State is ineligible for the conference title due to NCAA sanctions. Two-time defending champion Eastern Kentucky received 10 first-place votes and was picked to win the league. MSU received one first-place vote.
“Preseason polls are what they are, they don't truly mean a whole lot,” said fourth-year head coach Matt Griffin. “The season determines where teams should be ranked.”
Lane garnered one of the top honors in the league as the 6-7, 270 pounder was tabbed the Preseason OVC Defensive Player of the Year. Preseason accolades are nothing new to the senior as he has been named to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List, honoring the nation's top defensive player, and also being named the Consensus Draft Services FCS Defensive Player of the Year. He has also been named a First-Team All-America by CDS, The Sports Network, Phil Steele Magazine, Lindy's Magazine and The Sporting News.
The accolades are not without merit as the Iola, Wisc., native set a Racer record by recording 12 sacks and 22 tackles-for-loss in 2008, ranking among the national leaders in both categories. He finished the season with 63 tackles, two pass break-ups, five quarterback hurries, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one blocked kick.
Townsel (Memphis, Tenn.) earned the preseason recognition after garnering second-team all-OVC accolades in 2008. Townsel recorded 53 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns in nine games. He posted a career-best 11 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown in the victory over Tennessee Tech. The performance came on the heels of a seven-catch 165-yard performance against Austin Peay and a nine-catch 161-yard day against UT Martin.
Nelson (Memphis, Tenn.) received preseason recognition for second-straight season after earning second-team honors in 2008. He came on strong late in the season to finish with 34 catches for 386 yards and a score. His productivity increased as the season moved on as evident by his 21 catches over a four-game span midway through the season.
Townsel and Nelson were recognized by CDS as Honorable Mention All-America selections at their respected positions.
Ornella (Cincinnati, Ohio) enters his third year as a starter on the Racer offensive line. Ornella moves back to guard this season after holding down the right tackle position last season.
Lanigan (Naples, Fla.) is the top returning tackler in OVC after recording 104 tackles last season. The hard-hitting safety will play a key role in the Racers' new defensive scheme in 2009. He added four tackle-for-loss, one interception, six pass break-ups and one forced fumble to go along with his career-best tackle totals. He posted double-digit tackle performances in each of the last three games of the 2008 season and had a big interception to help preserve the victory over Tennessee State in the season finale.
Cullen (Louisville, Ky.) returns for his sophomore season after assuming the kicking duties his freshman campaign. He connected on 27-of-29 extra points and was 14-for-20 in field goals, including a career-best 41 yarder. Cullen also punted 51 times for 37.4 yard average, and had 12 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
“This is a group of young men who are outstanding student-athletes that compete with great passion,” said Griffin. “Their play over the past couple seasons have earned them preseason recognition. They all understand that postseason accolades are more important, particularly those earned by our team.”
The Racers open the 2009 season Sept. 3 against Kentucky Wesleyan. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Stewart Stadium.
In a separate vote, the Racers were picked to finish fifth in the eight-team league. Jacksonville State is ineligible for the conference title due to NCAA sanctions. Two-time defending champion Eastern Kentucky received 10 first-place votes and was picked to win the league. MSU received one first-place vote.
“Preseason polls are what they are, they don't truly mean a whole lot,” said fourth-year head coach Matt Griffin. “The season determines where teams should be ranked.”
Lane garnered one of the top honors in the league as the 6-7, 270 pounder was tabbed the Preseason OVC Defensive Player of the Year. Preseason accolades are nothing new to the senior as he has been named to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List, honoring the nation's top defensive player, and also being named the Consensus Draft Services FCS Defensive Player of the Year. He has also been named a First-Team All-America by CDS, The Sports Network, Phil Steele Magazine, Lindy's Magazine and The Sporting News.
The accolades are not without merit as the Iola, Wisc., native set a Racer record by recording 12 sacks and 22 tackles-for-loss in 2008, ranking among the national leaders in both categories. He finished the season with 63 tackles, two pass break-ups, five quarterback hurries, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one blocked kick.
Townsel (Memphis, Tenn.) earned the preseason recognition after garnering second-team all-OVC accolades in 2008. Townsel recorded 53 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns in nine games. He posted a career-best 11 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown in the victory over Tennessee Tech. The performance came on the heels of a seven-catch 165-yard performance against Austin Peay and a nine-catch 161-yard day against UT Martin.
Nelson (Memphis, Tenn.) received preseason recognition for second-straight season after earning second-team honors in 2008. He came on strong late in the season to finish with 34 catches for 386 yards and a score. His productivity increased as the season moved on as evident by his 21 catches over a four-game span midway through the season.
Townsel and Nelson were recognized by CDS as Honorable Mention All-America selections at their respected positions.
Ornella (Cincinnati, Ohio) enters his third year as a starter on the Racer offensive line. Ornella moves back to guard this season after holding down the right tackle position last season.
Lanigan (Naples, Fla.) is the top returning tackler in OVC after recording 104 tackles last season. The hard-hitting safety will play a key role in the Racers' new defensive scheme in 2009. He added four tackle-for-loss, one interception, six pass break-ups and one forced fumble to go along with his career-best tackle totals. He posted double-digit tackle performances in each of the last three games of the 2008 season and had a big interception to help preserve the victory over Tennessee State in the season finale.
Cullen (Louisville, Ky.) returns for his sophomore season after assuming the kicking duties his freshman campaign. He connected on 27-of-29 extra points and was 14-for-20 in field goals, including a career-best 41 yarder. Cullen also punted 51 times for 37.4 yard average, and had 12 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
“This is a group of young men who are outstanding student-athletes that compete with great passion,” said Griffin. “Their play over the past couple seasons have earned them preseason recognition. They all understand that postseason accolades are more important, particularly those earned by our team.”
The Racers open the 2009 season Sept. 3 against Kentucky Wesleyan. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Stewart Stadium.
Indiana State VS Murray State | MVC Baseball Tournament | Game Highlights
Friday, May 22
Evansville VS Murray State | Women's Basketball Game Highlights
Saturday, February 28
Head Coach Rechelle Turner | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
Friday, February 27
Thomas & Pena | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
Friday, February 27
