TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Shakir Bell and Ben Obaseki have been named to the Associated Press All-America First Team as announced today by the national wire service. The Sycamores have never had an AP First Team All-American prior to the release of the 2011 squad.

Bell, who is one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award, has already earned First Team All-America honors by the American Football Coaches Association. He was also named First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference as well as the MVFC Offensive Player Of The Year. Bell led the nation in rushing with 1,670 total yards and a 151.8 per game average. His 1,670 yards this season broke the school record for single-season rushing yards and rank eighth in league history. Bell also broke the single-game rushing record 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 12th highest single-game total in MVFC history. For the year, Bell hit the end zone 14 times.

Obaseki earned his first career All-American honor from the Associated Press. He has already been named a First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection. He finished third in the MVFC's Defensive Player of the Year voting after leading the Sycamores with 7.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss this season, tying for second and third in the MVFC, respectively, in those categories. Obaseki turned in one of the best defensive performances in MVFC history against Western Illinois on Oct. 15, recording 22 tackles (seven solo, 15 assisted) with four tackles for loss and three sacks. His 22 tackles against the Leathernecks are the most in conference history by a defensive lineman. The ISU junior was also in impact player in goal line situations, rushing the ball five times for five touchdowns.

The Sycamore duo are the first AP All-Americans from Indiana State since Jamie Petrowski was a third team selection in 2005. Bell was the 36th Sycamore football player to earn an All-American honor and Obaseki becomes the 37th.

The Missouri Valley Football Conference had five players named First Team All-American by the Associated Press and eight players honored total over the three teams.