ST. LOUIS - Sophomore running back Shakir Bell was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference's Offensive Player of the Year today (Nov. 22), following a season that saw the super sophomore lead the nation with 1,670 rushing yards and a 151.8 yards per game average. The MVFC awards are voted on by coaches, media and sports information directors from the schools within the league.

Bell is the first Sycamore to win the top offensive honor since 1991, when Derrick Franklin earned the title, and is the first second-year player to win the award in league history. Bell is the eighth member of the Indiana State football team to win a Player of the Year honor, joining Franklin (1991 - Offense), Vencie Glenn (1985 - Defense), Jeff Miller (1985 and 1984 - Offense), Wayne Davis (1984 - Defense), Craig Shaffer (1981 - Defense), Gerry Gluscic (1979 - Defense) and Reggie Allen (1979 - Offense).

The Indianapolis, Ind., and Warren Central High School product turned in the best single season for a running back in Indiana State history in 2011, going for a school record in rushing yards. Bell's 1,670 yards are also the eighth history in conference history. The sophomore also broke the single-game record for rushing yards this season, when he rushed for 256 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries in ISU's victory over Youngstown State on Sept. 24. Those 256 yards against the Penguins are the 12^th highest single-game total in MVFC history. For the year, Bell hit the end zone 14 times.

Bell went over the 200-yard mark four times this season, and finished the day at South Dakota State with 199 yards, while scoring multiple touchdowns in a game five times.

In the other specialty awards announced by the conference, head coach Trent Miles finished second in the Coach of the Year voting, with Craig Bohl of North Dakota State earning the honor. Junior defensive end Ben Obaseki placed third for Defensive Player of the Year, with that award going to L.J. Fort of Northern Iowa. Running back Jewel Hampton from Southern Illinois was named Newcomer of the Year with South Dakota State's quarterback Austin Sumner won Freshman of the Year.

Bell and Obaseki were also named finalists for national awards today, with Bell for the Walt Payton Award (most outstanding player in the FCS) and Obaseki for the Buck Buchanan Award (most outstanding defensive player in the FCS).