Two Leathernecks Named Preseason All-MVFC

Lance Lenoir, Jr. and Matt Zobrist receive preseason recognition

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Two juniors on the Western Illinois football team received preseason All-Missouri Valley Football Conference accolades. The MVFC announced the preseason team and poll as part of the coaches teleconference on Monday morning (July 27).

Wide receiver Lance Lenoir, Jr. (Crete/Crete Monee) and offensive lineman Matt Zobrist (Troy/Triad) represented the Fighting Leathernecks.

Lenoir, also a 2015 preseason All-America selection, set a WIU season record with 75 receptions last season helping him earn a First Team All-MVFC award. He was third in the MVFC and 23rd nationally averaging 85.8 yards per game. His seven touchdown receptions were good for fifth in the league and 36th nationally. His highest conference ranking was second with 6.3 receptions per game, good for 19th in the nation.

Zobrist, who did not see game action his redshirt-freshman season, started all 12 games last fall as a sophomore earning Honorable Mention All-MVFC honors. He helped the offensive unit produce a 1,200-yard rusher and near 3,000-yard passer. The offense recorded 72 more yards of total offense in 2014 compared to 2013. Zobrist and the offensive line ranked eighth nationally in tackles for a loss allowed.

The coaches, sports information directors and media members picked Western to finish eighth in the poll. Coming off a 5-7 season (3-5 in MVFC) in which the program played the fifth-toughest schedule in the country, Western returns the majority of starters on both sides of the ball and in the kicking game.

Defending national champion North Dakota State was picked to win the league again, tallying 32 first-place votes and 389 points. National runner-up Illinois State was next with 366 points and the remaining eight first-place votes. UNI (300), Youngstown State (265) and South Dakota State (251) rounded out the top five.

Indiana State (190) was sixth followed by Southern Illinois (143) and Western (139) right behind the Salukis. Missouri State (91) and South Dakota (66) rounded out the poll.

Western opens the 2015 campaign at home versus in-state rival Eastern Illinois on Thursday night, September 3. Kickoff at Hanson Field is scheduled for 6 p.m. For ticket information call the athletic department at (309) 298-1190 or purchase online at GoLeathernecks.com.

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Players Mentioned

#7 Lance Lenoir: WR; 6' 0"; Junior; Crete Monee

#73 Matt Zobrist: OL; 6' 3"; Junior; Triad

Players Mentioned

#7 Lance Lenoir
: 6' 0"; Junior; Crete Monee
: WR

#73 Matt Zobrist
: 6' 3"; Junior; Triad
: OL

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Players Mentioned

#7 Lance Lenoir

#73 Matt Zobrist

Players Mentioned

#7 Lance Lenoir

#73 Matt Zobrist