MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois University?s Lee Russell and Russ Michna, two finalists for The Sports Network?s Walter Payton and Buck Buchanan awards, finished fifth and sixth in the voting for their respective awards, given annually to the best I-AA offensive and defensive players in the nation.Russell, a senior linebacker, earned seven first-place votes and nine second-place votes and ended with 105 points after leading the Leathernecks into the second round of the playoffs and a top-ten ranking throughout the entire season. Winner Jared Allen earned 28 top votes and a total of 253 points after leading the Bengals to an 8-4 record. Illinois State?s Boomer Grigsby finished 60 points behind Allen in second place.Michna, a senior quarterback who earned back-to-back Gateway Offensive Player of the Year honors, earned four first-place votes and two second-place votes and a total of 61 points. Branch earned 35 top votes and 23 second-place votes for a landslide 310 total points. Grambling State quarterback Bruce Eugene, who finished in second place, collected 237 votes.The awards were voted upon by over 100 sports information directors and media personnel.