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First Team All-NEIM Defense:
DL
Pat O’Connor - Eastern Michigan - After leading the MAC with 7.5 sacks in 2014, O’Connor showed the MAC he’s back with 2 sacks and a forced fumble.
Jeremiah Harris - Eastern Michigan - Harris forced and recovered a fumble and if EMU has two greats on the DL and this isn’t just a case of FCS stat padding, EMU could be the next year 4 sleeper*.
Jamal Marcus - Akron - The former Buckeye also had 2 sacks and he added another tackle for a loss against VMI.
Tony Porter - Ohio - Porter also recorded 2 sacks against Texas State.
LB
Captured: Northwestern drops season opener following end-of-game fumble by Clayton Thorson. https://t.co/ccMV5vgnxs pic.twitter.com/RnaaMNWlaB
— Daily Northwestern (@thedailynu) September 5, 2016
Robert Spillane - Western Michigan - The man behind one of the biggest goal-line fumbles of the week, Spillane forced the fumble that preserved WMU’s upset of Northwestern.
Nathan Ricketts - Central Michigan - Put in the all around performance you like to see from an LB: 1 Pass defended, 2 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a recovery.
Didn't expect this to be the first score in the @BG_Football-@OhioStateFB game.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 3, 2016
More video: https://t.co/OJ7KNbGQ17 https://t.co/ASuCdEX0pW
Brandon Harris - Bowling Green - Harris made the list for his homage to Khalil Mack.
DB
Kylan Nelson - Ohio - The Bobcats are last in the MAC in passing yards allowed after their MACtion style shootout with Texas State. That said Nelson leads the MAC with 2 INTs.
Davontae Ginwright - Western Michigan - The man behind the “fumble fail” Ginwright defended 3 passes and thanks to a painted sideline and video review, was credited for a fumble recovery instead of the worst play in college football history.
Jordan Collier - Buffalo - Collier recorded a sack and a pass defended.
Amari Coleman - Central Michigan - Coleman took an interception to the house late in CMU’s win over Presbyterian.
Second Team All-NEIM Defense:
DL - J’Terius Jones - Miami
DL - Kevin Robbins - Ohio
DL - Terrence Waugh - Kent State
DL - Anthony Winbush - Ball State
LB - Caleb Bailey - Western Michigan
LB - Ike Spearman - Eastern Michigan
LB - Junior McMullen - Miami
DB - Corey Hall - Ball State
DB - Winslow Chapman - Central Michigan
DB - Sean Bunting - Central Michigan
DB - Josh Teachey - Toledo
*See article on the year 4 sleepers next week.