HAMMOND, La. – Led by Offensive Player of the Year and senior quarterback Bryan Bennett, the Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana football team placed 16 players on the 2014 All-Southland Conference Football Teams, which were announced by the league office on Monday.
 
Bennett is the first player in school history to earn Southland Offensive Player of the Week honors, after being named the league's Player of the Year a season ago. Bennett and junior cornerback Harlan Miller were repeat first team selections. Joining Bennett and Miller on the first team were senior linebacker Isiah Corbett, senior offensive lineman Jonathan Braddock and senior kicker Ryan Adams.
 
Senior wide receiver Devante Scott, senior defensive lineman Jacob Newman, junior defensive back Denzel Thompson and senior safety Tyler Stoddard were all named to the second team. Junior Xavier Roberson was a second team selection at both kick returner and all-purpose player.
 
Representing the Lions as honorable mention selections were junior wide receiver Jeff Smiley, junior offensive lineman Joe Graves, junior defensive back Jordan Batiste, junior defensive back Micah Eugene, senior linebacker Drew Misita and junior defensive lineman A.J. Bowen.
 
Bennett was named the league's top offensive player after engineering a Southeastern offense that racked up 480.5 yards and 42.2 yards per contest during the regular season. The Walter Payton Award candidate has thrown for 2,176 yards and 18 touchdowns, while also rushing for a team-high 655 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Granada Hills, California native is 14-0 versus Southland competition as a starter and is tied for the career school record with 68 touchdowns (38 passing, 29 rushing) responsible for.
 
Clearing the way for Bennett and the explosive Lion offense are Braddock and Graves, both who were honorable mention All-Southland choices a season ago. Braddock, a Ripley, Mississippi native, has started every game at right tackle for SLU. Graves, a Covington native and two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District 6 selection, has been versatile in 2014, playing both guard and center.
 
The Lion offense was benefitted by two talented pass catchers. Scott, a Ferriday product, was SLU's breakout player in 2014, finishing the regular season with 45 catches, 1,011 yards and five touchdowns. Scott is the second player in school history to top 1,000 yards in a season, joining SLU Athletics Hall of Famer Felton Huggins.
 
Smiley continues his consistent play, moving into the top 10 on the school's career list in every receiving category. The Flower Mound, Texas native enters the playoffs with 34 catches for 568 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns – six of which came in Southland Conference play.
 
Roberson was another representative of the Lion offense on the All-Southland teams. The Atlanta product is a weapon as a runner (364 yards, 4 touchdowns), receiver (18 catches, 201 yards) and as a kick returner (30.8 yards per kick return). Roberson's kick return average ranks third in the nation.
 
Roberson and Adams have highlighted a strong special teams effort for Southeastern. Adams, who hails from Dayton, Ohio, has made 15-of-16 field goal attempts – including 11 in a row and 9-of-9 in Southland play. He is one of only three players in the nation to make multiple 50-yard-plus field goals, highlighted by a school-record 55-yard field goal in SLU's 30-22 win over Northwestern State.
 
The Lion defense was well represented after leading the Southland Conference with 17.4 points, 295.2 total yards and 112.2 rushing yards allowed per game. Corbett, a Belle Glade, Florida native and Buck Buchanan Award candidate, was a first team selection after leading the team with 12.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and four interceptions. Corbett was joined on the All-Southland team by fellow linebacker Misita, who hails from Amite and leads the Lions with 80 tackles to go with four sacks.
 
Southeastern's secondary had five selections to the All-Southland teams. Miller, who came to SLU out of Kentwood, was honored despite missing three games, as he finished the season with two interceptions. Thompson, who hails from Clearwater, Florida, received his first all-conference nod after recording four interceptions – all in Southland play. Stoddard, a Westlake native, was named to the All-Southland team for the third straight season after recording 79 tackles.
 
Two of Southeastern's transfers from the FBS level were honored, as both Batiste (Tulane) and Eugene (LSU) have made immediate impacts in their first seasons in Hammond. Eugene, who hails from Lafayette, has 59 tackles and a team-high two fumble recoveries, while Batiste, a native of Gramercy, has an interception and 48 tackles.
 
Rounding out Southeastern's All-Southland selections was the defensive end tandem of Newman and Bowen. Newman, a Visalia, California native, was named to all-conference for the second straight season after posting 30 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a team-high eight quarterback hurries. Bowen, who hails from Olive Branch, Mississippi, has teamed with Newman to provide a dominant front, recording 28 tackles and two tackles for loss.

The Lions (9-3) will travel to Huntsville, Texas on Saturday to face fellow Southland Conference champion Sam Houston State (8-4) at 1 p.m. in the first round of the FCS playoffs. Saturday's game will be televised on ESPN3. The contest will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net, as well as affiliates and Northshore Broadcasting stations Kajun 107.1 FM (WHMD) and The Highway 104.7 FM (WJSH). Live stats, provided by the Bearkats, will be accessible at LionSports.net.

Tickets sold through the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office will be $17 and will be in Section N. Southeastern season ticket holders will have priority and can purchase tickets from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Wednesday at the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office on the corner of W. Dakota and Galloway Drive. From 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. the tickets will be available to the general public. No phone orders will be taken and Wednesday is the only day tickets can be purchased at the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office.
 
Fans can purchase tickets now through the Sam Houston State ticket office. Full playoff ticket information is available at http://www.gobearkats.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=92955&SPID=11345&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=19900&ATCLID=209778987.
 
For the most up-to-date Lion football playoff information, visit www.LionSports.net/playoffs2014.
 
2014 All-Southland Conference Football Teams
Player of the Year: Gus Johnson, RB, Stephen F. Austin
Offensive Player of the Year: Bryan Bennett, QB, Southeastern Louisiana
Defensive Player of the Year: Jonathan Woodard, DE, Central Arkansas
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Cole Carruthers, LT, Central Arkansas
Freshman of the Year: P.J. Hall, DE, Sam Houston State
Newcomer of the Year: Zach Conque, QB, Stephen F. Austin
Coach of the Year: Clint Conque, Stephen F. Austin
 
First Team
Offense
Pos. – Name – School – Cl. – Ht. – Wt. – Hometown
QB – Bryan Bennett – Southeastern Louisiana – Sr. – 6-3 – 215 – Granada Hills, Calif.
RB – Gus Johnson – Stephen F. Austin – Sr. – 5-10 – 224 – Gilmer, Texas
RB – Keshawn Hill – Sam Houston State – Sr. – 5-10 – 200 – Klein, Texas
TE/HB – Noah Cheshier – Abilene Christian – Sr. – 6-3 – 240 – Farmersville, Texas
WR – Dezmin Lewis – Central Arkansas – Sr. – 6-4 – 212 – Mesquite, Texas
WR – Mark Roberts – Lamar – Sr. – 6-3 – 190 – Orange, Texas
WR – Ed Eagan – Northwestern State – Jr. – 5-10 – 181 – New Orleans, La.
OL – Jonathan Braddock – Southeastern Louisiana – Sr. – 6-4 – 285 – Ripley, Miss.
OL – Cole Caruthers – Central Arkansas – Sr. – 6-4 – 292 – Sugar Land, Texas
OL – Antoine Everett – McNeese State – Sr. – 6-3 – 325 – Richmond, Texas
OL – Byron Williams – Stephen F. Austin – Jr. – 6-4 – 302 – Dickinson, Texas
AP -- Ed Eagan – Northwestern State – Jr. – 5-10 – 181 – New Orleans, La.
PK – Ryan Adams – Southeastern Louisiana – Sr. – 6-2 – 205 – Dayton, Ohio
 
Defense
Pos. – Name – School – Cl. – Ht. – Wt. – Hometown
DL – P.J. Hall – Sam Houston State – Fr. – 6-1 – 270 – Sequin, Texas
DL – Jonathan Woodard – Central Arkansas – Jr. – 6-6 – 271 – Brentwood, Tenn.
DL – Kevin Dorn – McNeese State – Sr. – 5-10 – 263 – Sr. – Pineville, La.
DL – Nick Richardson – Abilene Christian – Sr. – 6-1 – 240 – Waco, Texas
LB – Isiah Corbett – Southeastern Louisiana – Sr. -- 6-3 – 250 – Belle Glade, Fla.
LB – Collin Garrett – Stephen F. Austin – Sr. – 6-2 – 214 – Beaumont, Texas
LB – Marion Chapman – Northwestern State – Sr. – 5-10 – 205 – Waynesboro, Miss.
DB – Harlan Miller – Southeastern Louisiana – Jr. – 6-1 – 180 – Kentwood, La.
DB – Imoan Claiborne – Northwestern State – Sr. – 5-11 – 187 – Alexandria, La.
DB – Aaron Sam – McNeese State – Sr. – 5-9 – 182 – Lake Charles, La.
DB – Trenier Orr – Sam Houston State – Jr. – 5-11 – 180 – Orlando, Fla.
DB – Michael Wade – Sam Houston State – Sr. – 5-11 – 195 – Sr. – Arp, Texas
P – Lachlan Edwards – Sam Houston State – Jr. – 6-5 – 214 – Victoria, Australia
KR – Jatavious Wilson – Central Arkansas – So. – 5-9 – 171 – Bastrop, La.
PR – Ed Eagan – Northwestern State – Jr. – 5-10 – 181 – Jr. – New Orleans, La.
 
Second Team
Offense
Pos. – Name – School – Cl. – Ht. – Wt. -- Hometown
QB – Caleb Berry – Lamar – 6-2 – 205 – Sr. – Needville, Texas
RB – De'Andre Brown – Abilene Christian – 5-9 – 190 – Fr. – Lewisville, Texas
RB – Michael Henry – Nicholls – 6-2 – 225 – Jr. – Baton Rouge, La.
TE/HB – Kenneth Bibbins – Houston Baptist – Sr. – 6-5 – 242 – Sugar Land, Texas
WR – Devante Scott – Southeastern Louisiana – Sr. – 5-11 – 195 – Ferriday, La.
WR – Reggie Begelton – Lamar – Jr. – 6-2 – 200 – Beaumont, Texas
WR – Cedric Gilbert – Abilene Christian – Jr. – 6-2 – 215 – Lancaster, Texas
OL – Pace Murphy – Northwestern State – Jr. – 6-6 – 279 – Houston, Texas
OL – Quentin Marsh – McNeese State – Jr. – 6-3 – 310 – Dickinson, Texas
OL – CJ Simon – Central Arkansas – Sr. – 6-3 – 296 – Kingwood, Texas
OL – Codey Funk – Abilene Christian – So. – 6-5 – 320 – Gridley, Ill.
OL – Brandon DeWitt – Sam Houston State – So. – 6-3 – 277 – Lawton, Okla.
AP – Xavier Roberson – Southeastern Louisiana – Jr. – 5-9 – 180 – Atlanta, Ga.
PK – Luc Swimberghe – Sam Houston State – So. – 6-0 – 197 – Tyler, Texas
 
Defense
Pos. – Name – School – Cl. – Ht. – Wt. – Hometown
DL – Jacob Newman – Southeastern Louisiana – Sr. -- 6-2 – 275 – Visalia, Calif.
DL – Leroy Armstrong – Northwestern State – Jr. -- 6-1 – 242 – Natchitoches, La.
DL – Corey Lee – Incarnate Word – So. -- 6-0 – 285 – Humble, Texas
DL – Omar Tebo – Lamar – So. – 6-0 – 315 – Liberty, Texas
LB – Wallace Scott – McNeese State – Jr. – 6-1 – 211 – Weyanoke, La.
LB – Bo Brown – McNeese State – Jr. – 6-1 – 232 – Katy, Texas
LB – Myke Chatman – Sam Houston State – So. – 6-2 – 216 – Sealy, Texas
DB – Denzel Thompson – Southeastern Louisiana – Jr. – 6-3 – 200 – Clearwater, Fla.
DB – Tyler Stoddard – Southeastern Louisiana – Sr. – 6-2 – 210 – Westlake, La.
DB – Brent Spikes – McNeese State – Jr. – 6-1 – 196 – Newton, Texas
DB – Adam Jones – Northwestern State – Jr. – 5-10 – 180 – Katy, Texas
P – Christian Guzman – Houston Baptist – Fr. – 5-9 – 160 – Brookshire, Texas
KR – Xavier Roberson – Southeastern Louisiana – Jr. – 5-9 – 180 – Atlanta, Ga.
PR – Jonathan Epps – Abilene Christian – Jr. – 5-10 – 165 – Fort Worth, Texas
 
Honorable Mention:
Quarterback: Zach Conque, Stephen F. Austin; Zach Adkins, Northwestern State; Parker McKenzie, Abilene Christian; Jared Johnson, Sam Houston State. Running Back: Garrett Atzenweiler, Northwestern State; B.J. Kelly, Houston Baptist. Tight End/H-Back: Cole Wick, UIW. Wide Receiver: Jeff Smiley, Southeastern La.; Tyler Boyd, Stephen F. Austin; Yedidiah Louis, Sam Houston State; Demarcus Thompson, Abilene Christian; Cody Jones, Northwestern State; Casey Jennings, UIW; Jereon McGilvery, McNeese State. Offensive Linemen: Joe Graves, Southeastern La.; Bret Treadway, Lamar; Terran Vaughn, Stephen F. Austin; Chris Bordelon, Nicholls; Tramon Shead, Lamar; Rafe Plaisance, Nicholls; Bridge Blount, Sam Houston State; Austin Douglas, Northwestern State; Kyle Stouffer, Central Arkansas; Chance McCormack, Lamar; Anthony Pullins, Stephen F. Austin. Offensive All-Purpose: Keenan Canty, Nicholls. Defensive Linemen: A.J. Bowen, Southeastern La.; Ishmiah Miles, Stephen F. Austin; Everett Ellefsen, McNeese State; Joe Okafor, Lamar; Damon Williams, Abilene Christian; Damon Medcafe, Northwestern State; Lance Skyler, Stephen F. Austin; Mouf Abedo, Sam Houston State; Brian Hine, McNeese State; Keith Curran, Lamar; Donald Bryant, Stephen F. Austin. Linebackers: Drew Misita, Southeastern La.; Davin Bovie, Nicholls; Ricky Wyatt, Central Arkansas; Blake Childress, Central Arkansas; Garrett Dolan, Houston Baptist; Ronnie Jones, Lamar; Padyn Giebler, UIW; Justin Stephens, Abilene Christian; Tyler Roussel, Northwestern State; Jacobi Hunter, Sam Houston State. Defensive Back: Jordan Batiste, Southeastern La.; Micah Eugene, Southeastern La.; Gabe Hamner, McNeese State; Bobby Watkins, Central Arkansas; Patrick Martin; Stephen F. Austin; Keavon Madison, Stephen F. Austin; Mikel Everette, Sam Houston State; Kobie Douglas, UIW; Justin Stewart, Abilene Christian; Eric Amoako, Houston Baptist, Dominique Hill, McNeese State; Byron Cobb, Nicholls; B.T. Sanders, Nicholls. Placekicker: Nik Grau, Abilene Christian. Punter: Spencer Matthew, Central Arkansas. Kick Return Specialist: Ed Eagan, Northwestern State. Punt Return Specialist: Aaron Thomas, Stephen F. Austin.