Coney, Fallen Earn All-American Status From AFCA and NAIA; Odom Honorable Mention
By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
WACO, Texas – The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced today its 2019 AFCA NAIA Coaches' All-America Teams, and offensive lineman Tre Coney (First Team) and defensive lineman Seth Fallen (Second Team) were selected for national recognition based on their on-field performances this season.
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves.
To view the entire list of All-Americans from the AFCA, please click here.
Additionally, both players earned the same spots on the NAIA All-America teams as well, which is different from the AFCA list this year with the addition of an NAIA All-America Honorable Mention squad – which saw Otis Odom receive recognition as an all-purpose player.
To view the entire list of All-Americans from the NAIA, please click here.
Coney was a part of a strong group across the country who earned All-America honors for the second-consecutive season in 2019, after the Dublin, Ga., native was also on the first-teamer list one year ago.
The senior mauler was a key cog in another powerful running game that helped the Eagles to their fourth-straight Appalachian Division crown within the Mid-South Conference and another appearance in the NAIA Football Championship Series.
The hometown team's season came to a close at 9-3 in the first round in a hard-fought battle on the road at No. 2 Marian (Ind.), 17-7, but the Eagles stood toe-to-toe with the Knights thanks to an offense that averaged 263.5 yards on the ground – fourth in the NAIA.
Coney – who also rumbled his way into the paint on a one-yard run on Senior Day against Union (Ky.) – helped keep quarterback Billy Hall and company upright by allowing the fourth-fewest sacks in the country during the season with eight.
Speaking of getting to the quarterback, Fallen lived in the opposing backfield all season with 37 tackles, including 15 stops for-loss and a team-best eight sacks.
He also returned a fumble for 10 yards.
Fallen helped his defensive unit – who ranked fourth overall in total defense at 247.6 yards per game – continue to be one of the very best in NAIA football by also surrendering just 13.5 points per game, which was fifth nationally.
Reinhardt's 33 sacks were tied for 10th-highest in the NAIA as well.
Odom was a chess piece used in a variety of ways on offense with 17 carries for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns (12.4 average). The junior running back caught four passes for 50 yards out of the backfield, but was most dangerous on special teams, as he averaged 33 yards per kickoff return – 495 yards on 15 attempts – and two scores.
The Atlanta, Ga., native also jolted the Knights in the first round of the playoffs with a 92-yard kickoff return for a score on the game's first play as the cold rain fell from above.
The team now looks to continue to add pieces to its talented roster as Signing Day 2020 is quickly approaching.
For up-to-the-minute Eagles sports news, follow Reinhardt Athletics on Facebook, @RU_Eagles on Twitter and @ru_eagles on Instagram.
For more information on Reinhardt Football, please click here.