July 6, 2005

PHILADELPHIA - Texas State University defensive lineman Fred Evans has been named to The Sports Network's 2005 Division I-AA Preseason All-America Team. Evans, a senior from Chicago, was named to TSN's second team.

Last year as a junior college transfer, Evans made an immediate impact for the Bobcats and led the Southland Conference with 6.5 quarterback sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. He was named the SLC's Newcomer of the Year.

Evans had 33 total tackles - 26 solo stops and 14 assists in his first season at Texas State. He also had five quarterback hurries, forced a fumble and broke up a pass during the year.

Evans is one of five Southland Conference student-athletes named to TSN's first or second teams. Northwestern State return specialist Toby Ziegler and defensive back David Pittman were named to the first team. Along with Evans, Sam Houston State linebacker Markus Mikulec and Southeastern Louisiana wide receiver Felton Huggins were named to the second team.

The Preseason All-America Team is one of the many services The Sports Network has planned for Division I-AA Football. TSN also administers the Walter Payton, Buck Buchanan and Eddie Robinson Awards which are presented annually to the division's top player, defensive player and coach, respectively. The Sports Network also administers I-AA's most widely recognized weekly Top 25 poll for the division as well as Players of the Week and Postseason All-America Team.