Honors for Erik Lora Continue

NEW YORK -- Eastern Illinois junior wide receiver Erik Lora picked up his third first team All-American honor on Wednesday as the Associated Press released its 2012 FCS All-America team.  Lora has already been named a first team All-American this post-season by the Sports Network and AFCA.

Lora set the FCS single season record for receptions this year making 136 catches for 1,664 yards.  Lora led the FCS in both categories as his 1,664 yards receiving was the fourth best single season total in FCS history.  Lora finished fourth in balloting for this year's Walter Payton Award after earning OVC Offensive Player of the Year honors.  He opened the season with seven straight 100 yard receiving games which ties for the best FCS total since 2000.

Lora becomes the 10th Eastern Illinois player to make the Associated Press All-America first team and the first since EIU placed three on the first team in 2002.  That season the Panthers had Nick Ricks (linebacker), Tony Romo (quarterback) and J.R. Taylor (running back) all earn first team accolades.  The other first team selections for EIU were Tim Lance (DB, 1990), John Jurkovic (DT, 1989), Roy Banks (WR, 1986), Robert Williams (FS, 1983), Chris Nicholson (DT, 1983) and Bob Norris (OL, 1982).

Eastern Illinois won the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference regular season championship advancing to the first round of the FCS playoffs, the 14th FCS playoff appearance in program history.

Lora was one of three Ohio Valley Conference players on the first team joining Walter Powell of Murray State as an all-purpose player and Roger Gaines of Tennessee State as an offensive lineman.

AP All-American Team - http://sports.yahoo.com/news/2012-ap-fcs-america-team-171410280--ncaaf.html