NORMAL — Wide receiver Eyad Salem and place-kicker Zach Kutch, two Illinois State seniors who turned in record-setting seasons, were named to the all-Missouri Valley Football Conference first team Wednesday.

Salem set school and conference records with 92 receptions. He ranks third nationally in the Championship Subdivision. It is Salem’s second straight first-team berth.

Kutch booted a school-record 22 field goals and is tied for the lead nationally with 2.0 field goals per game.

“Those two you’ve got to have on the first team,” ISU coach Brock Spack said.

Dwight native Clay Harbor of Missouri State was a first-team selection at tight end for the third consecutive season.

ISU had four players on the second team in freshman quarterback Matt Brown, sophomore offensive lineman Nick Bledsoe, sophomore defensive lineman Eric Brunner and junior defensive back Kelvyn Hemphill.

Redbirds gaining honorable mention were defensive backs Chris Garrett and E.J. Jones and defensive linemen Doni Phelps.

“All our guys are deserving,” said Spack. “And some of them are coming back, so that’s good for the future. Hopefully next year we’ll have even more.”

Bloomington native Ryan Kernes, a tight end from Southern Illinois, also received honorable mention.

Southern Illinois running back Deji Karim was picked Offensive Player of the Year. North Dakota State running back Pat Paschall was second in voting, while Salem tied Northern Iowa quarterback Pat Grace for third.

Ends Danny Batten of South Dakota State and James Ruffin of Northern Iowa shared Defensive Player of the Year honors. Dale Lennon of league champion SIU was Coach of the Year.

Missouri Valley all-star team

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

Quarterback-Pat Grace (Northern Iowa)

Running backs-Deji Karim (Southern Illinois), Pat Paschall (North Dakota State)

Fullback-John Goode (SIU)

Wide receivers-Eyad Salem (Illinois State), Donald Jones (Youngstown State)

Tight end-Clay Harbor (Missouri State)

Linemen-David Arkin (Missouri State), Keith Buckman (NDSU), Ryan McKnight (South Dakota State), David Pickard (SIU), Austin Steichen (UNI)

Place-kicker-Zach Kutch (Illinois State)

DEFENSE

Linemen-Chris Arthurs (SIU), Danny Batten (SDSU), James Ruffin (UNI), Mychal Savage (Youngstown)

Linebackers-Derek Domino (SDSU), Brandin Jordan (SIU), Josh Mahoney (UNI), Antoine Wilkinson (Missouri State)

Backs-Korey Lindsey (SIU), Mike McElroy (SIU), Quentin Scott (UNI), Patrick Stoudamire (Western Illinois)

Punter-Scott Ravanesi (SIU)

Return specialist-Todd Speight (WIU)

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE

Quarterback-Matt Brown (Illinois State)

Running backs-Dre Gibbs (WIU), Kyle Minett (SDSU)

Fullback-Ryan Mahaffey (UNI)

Wide receivers-Joe Allaria (SIU), Glen Fox (SDSU)

Tight end-Schuylar Oordt (UNI)

Linemen-Nick Bledsoe (Illinois State), Bryan Boemer (SIU), Austin Howard (UNI), Casey Knips (SDSU), Eric Rodemoyer (Youngstown)

Place-kicker-Kyle Dougherty (SIU)

DEFENSE

Linemen-Eric Brunner (Illinois State), Matthew Gratzek (NDSU), Wes Lane (UNI), Waylon Richardet (Missouri State)

Linebackers-Aaron Archie (Indiana State), Preston Evans (NDSU), Kyle Glazier (WIU), Chauncey Mixon (SIU)

Backs-Kelvyn Hemphill (Illinois State), Conrad Kjerstad (SDSU), Skylar Smith (Missouri State), Lenny Wicks (Youngstown)

Punter-Dean Priddy (SDSU)

Return specialist-Deji Karim (SIU)

HONORABLE MENTION

Illinois State-DB Chris Garrett, DB E.J. Jones, DL Doni Phelps

Indiana State-RS Darrius Gates, DL Rod Hardy, DB Donye McCleskey

Missouri State-P Jordan Chiles, WR Jared Emery, QB Cody Kirby

North Dakota State-OL Ryan Foster, OL Austin Richard

Northern Iowa-RB Carlos Anderson, PK Billy Hallgren, WR D.J. Hord, LB Jamar Thompson

South Dakota State-TE Colin Cochart, LB Chris Johnson, LB Jimmy Rogers

Southern Illinois-QB Chris Dieker, TE Ryan Kernes, DB Marty Rodgers

Western Illinois-LB Buddy Dudczak, FB Josh Gabelmann, QB Lito Senatus

Youngstown State-WR Dominique Barnes, DB Andre Elliott, QB Brandon Summers

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR-Deji Karim (SIU)

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR-Danny Batten (SDSU), James Ruffin (UNI)

COACH OF THE YEAR-Dale Lennon (SIU)