Five CSU Marauders earn SIAC All-Conference honors

WILBERFORCE, Ohio -- Following a 5-5 season, Central State University had five players recognized upon the release of the All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Team on Thursday.

Kevin Greenhow led the SIAC in receiving

Receiver Kevin Greenhow, quarterback Trent Mays, running back Terrasris Saffold, and linebacker Kailen Abrams were named to the SIAC First Team while tight end Robert Corbin, Jr. was selected to the SIAC Second Team. Greenhow was also named the SIAC Newcomer of the Year, making school history by becoming first Central State player to receive a regular season superlative award from the league.

"These guys worked hard all year long and it paid off," said CSU Head Coach Cedric Pearl. "It is great to see our players get the accolades they deserve. With four of our five all-conference players returning to the program next season, we are excited for the future."

Trent Mays led the SIAC in passing

Terraris Saffold led the SIAC in all-purpose yards

A transfer from Hocking Community College, Greenhow led the conference with 34 receptions for 880 yards and nine touchdowns. In eight games, the 6'3 junior receiver averaged 110 receiving yards per contest. His best performance was against NCAA Div. I - FCS opponent Robert Morris when he caught 11 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns. His 276 receiving yards is the most by any Marauder since the school reintroduced the football program in 2005. After posting 207 receiving yards the next week against Tuskegee, Greenhow became the first CSU play to record back-to-back games of 200 or more receiving yards since the 1995 season.

Kailen Abrams led the SIAC in tackles

Senior quarterback Trent Mays finished the season completing 135 of 256 attempts for an SIAC best 2127 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. He also ran for 232 yards and five rushing touchdowns. Mays threw for a career-high 376 yards and three touchdowns in CSU's win over perennial power Tuskegee University.

Saffold, who finished the season with a career-high 214 rushing yards against Lane, led the SIAC with 1776 all-purpose yards. The junior from Hayneville, Alabama finished the season with 874 rushing yards
and 362 receiving yards. He also ranked No. 2 in the SIAC averaging 23.6 yards per kick return.

Robert Corbin led SIAC tight ends in receiving yards

A 6'2 sophomore from Detroit, Michigan, Abrams emerged as the conference leader in tackles with 118 and an impressive average of 12 tackles per game. He also recorded 2.5 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. With this year's selection, Abrams becomes one of two CSU football players to earn back-to-back All-SIAC honors.

In his first year with the program, Corbin, Jr., proved to be the complete package for Coach Pearl's offense as a receiver and blocker. A transfer from the University of Pikeville, Corbin, Jr. finished among the SIAC's top tight ends with 11 receptions for 228 yards and two touchdowns.

"Expectations were high for these players and they delivered while playing crucial roles to our team's success," Pearl says. "These five players are great examples of how hard each player in our program works to improve each and every day. I can't say enough about the work ethic of our guys. The seniors who are leaving have provided some great leadership and our returning players have a great model to follow heading into next season."

Ending the season with a 5-5 overall record, CSU tied its best record since the program was reinstated as a NCAA Div. II member in 2005. CSU also went 5-5 in 2007 and 2015.

CSU finished as the conference's top offense in yards (366.2) and scoring (26.3). The Marauder offense was second in the SIAC in rushing (153.5), passing (212.7), and redzone efficiency (77.1%). CSU also tied for the least amount of sacks given up (12).

CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY (OHIO) ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS