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Illinois State's Coprich repeats as MVFC Offensive POY
(STATS) - Illinois State senior running back Marshaun Coprich was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference's offensive player of the year for a second consecutive season Wednesday.
Coprich became the fourth player in the conference's 31-year history to be a repeat winner of the award, and the first since Western Illinois quarterback Russ Michna in 2002 and '03.
In helping Illinois State (9-2) to a share of its second straight Missouri Valley title, Coprich has rushed for 1,720 yards, which ranks second in the FCS, and scored 20 touchdowns, which is tied for third nationally.
Southern Illinois quarterback Mark Iannotti finished second in the voting and South Dakota State wide receiver Jake Wieneke was third.
Northern Iowa senior cornerback Deiondre' Hall earned the conference's defensive player of the year award, while his teammate, junior quarterback Aaron Bailey, collected the newcomer of the year award.
Hall finished ahead of North Dakota State linebacker Nick DeLuca, Western Illinois linebacker Brett Taylor and Youngstown State defensive end Derek Rivers. Bailey topped South Dakota defensive end Andrew Van Ginkel and North Dakota State quarterback Easton Stick in the newcomer voting.
Van Ginkel wasn't empty-handed, though, as he was selected as the conference's freshman of the year, topping Stick and South Dakota State quarterback Taryn Christion.
Western Illinois' Bob Nielson earned the coach of the year award after leading the Leathernecks to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2010. In close voting, he was followed by Brock Spack of Illinois State, Joe Glenn of South Dakota and Chris Klieman of North Dakota State.
The MVFC will announce its all-conference team Monday, all-newcomer team Tuesday and all-academic team next Wednesday.
