ST. LOUIS - Illinois State running back Walter Mendenhall and linebacker Paul Wright were each named to the 2008 Missouri Valley Football Conference's All-Newcomer Team Wednesday, as released by the conference office.
Mendenhall, who played in 10 games and started the final four games for the Redbirds, led Illinois State in rushing with 796 yards on 126 carries and 11 touchdowns. The senior-transfer from Illinois posted four 100-yard rushing games, including a 225-yard rushing day against Youngstown State. The Skokie, Ill., native ranked fourth in league games for rushing yards with 108 yards per game.
Wright played in all 11 games for the Redbirds and started seven after transferring from Diablo Valley Community College. A Martinez, Calif., native and product of De La Salle High School, Wright ranked third on the team in tackles with 62, including 31 solo stops. The sophomore also collected eight tackles-for-loss, a quarterback sack, three pass breakups, five quarterback hurries and a forced fumble on the season.
The two Redbirds were among 23 student-athletes named to the 2008 Missouri Valley Football Con¬ference All-Newcomer Team. League coaches, sports information directors and a media panel selected the team. The top 11 vote-getters on offense and defense, plus ties, were named to the team.
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