LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – IUP football landed 13 players on Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division all-league teams for 2016, including five first teamers, as postseason awards were announced on Wednesday afternoon.
 
First team selections for the Crimson Hawks include senior right tackle Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East), freshman running back Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan), senior linebacker Kevin Clarke (West Mifflin, Pa. /West Mifflin), senior strong safety Steve Franco (Tyrone, Pa. /Tyrone ), and sophomore defensive end Deandre Easterling (Washington, D.C./Gonzaga).
 
This is the third straight first team nod for Clarke, who leads the PSAC and ranks sixth in Division II with 11.4 tackles per game. The tri-captain has 91 stops in just eight games this year, to go along with 5.0 tackles-for-loss and three interceptions. His 30-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed the Crimson Hawks' victory over Mercyhurst.
 
Cooper is a two-time first team pick, also earning second team honors as a sophomore. Moving from left guard to right tackle this year, the preseason All-American has started 35 consecutive games and is a semifinalist for the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year. He anchors a line that has helped IUP average 278.5 rushing yards per game this season.
 
This is Franco's second postseason honor, earning second team accolades a season ago. One of the top safeties in the region, he has 55 total tackles, two interceptions, and has broken up eight additional passes this year. Franco was part of arguably IUP's biggest play of the year, returning a blocked point after for a score against Seton Hill.
 
Bullock and Easterling are both first time honorees by the PSAC. The Crimson Hawks' leading rusher at 89.2 yards per game, Bullock has five 100-yard games on his resume as a rookie runner. He's scored eight touchdowns on the ground, averages 6.0 yards per carry, and has eight runs of more than 20 yards.
 
Easterling has proven to be one of the best pass rushers in the league, totaling 6.0 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks this season. He took over in IUP's win over Clarion, posting three sacks for a total of 19 lost yards.
 
Eight Crimson Hawks earn second team honors
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) highlights eight IUP players on the All-PSAC West second team. One of the top players in the nation, Williams leads Division II in passing efficiency (214.0), yards per completion (19.70) and yards per attempt (13.47). He's thrown for 14 touchdowns and just one interception on 136 attempts, adding 594 rushing yards and a team-leading 12 scores on the ground. Williams was lost with an injury against Mercyhurst, limiting his season to nine games.
 
Junior wide receiver Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) leads IUP with 35 catches, 846 yards, and seven touchdowns through the air. His 24.2 yards per reception leads Division II, as 13 of his snags of gone for more than 20 yards.
 
The Crimson Hawks boast arguably the best offensive line in the nation, as senior guards Ed Bier (Philadelphia, Pa. /Archbishop Ryan) and Tony Morgante (Mountain Top, Pa. /Crestwood), redshirt freshman Jeff Arnold (Pittsburgh, Pa./Brashear), and senior tight end Kevin Edwards (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny) were all named to the second team. IUP has eclipsed 200 yards rushing eight times, including three 300-yard games, and a season-high 411 yards against Clarion.
 
Second team defensive honors for IUP go to junior tackle Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) and junior corner Jay Watkins (Chester, Pa. /Hyde School). Averette missed some time due to injury, but still leads all IUP linemen with 31 tackles, including 6.0 for-loss, and has an eight-yard interception return for a score. Watkins is tied for sixth in Division II with six interceptions, breaking up eight additional passes, and returning a fumble 49 yards for a score.
 
Up next
The Crimson Hawks head to West Virginia this weekend to face Fairmont State in the opening round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. IUP is the fifth seed in Super Region One while Fairmont State is the fourth seed. Kickoff is noon on Saturday. 

For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP football on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPfootball.