TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Indiana State sophomore tailback Shakir Bell has been named to the American Football Coaches Association All-America Team as announced today by the national organization. Bell is one of just two sophomores to be named an All-American in 2011.

Bell, a 5-foot-7, 185-pound sophomore, was the No. 1 rusher in the FCS during the regular season, gaining 1,670 yards and 14 touchdowns on 230 carries, for 151.8 yards per game on a scintillating 7.3 yards per carry. The Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year had four 200-yard games and missed a fifth one by one yard, helping Indiana State to a 6-5 record as it continued a remarkable turnaround as a program.

Bell is the 36th Sycamore in the history of the program to be named an All-American. He is the first Sycamore to earn an All-America mention since Jamie Petrowski was a third team selection by The Sports Network in 2005. Bell is the first member of the AFCA All-America Team since DuJuan Alfonzo was selected as a defensive back/return specialist in 1999.

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.

The Missouri Valley Football Conference placed four members on the team, tied for the second-most in the nation.

2011 AFCA Football Championship Subdivision Coaches' All-America Team
Offense

Defense

Specialists