Eiben Named to The Sports Network's I-AA All-America Team
12/20/2000 7:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 20, 2000
LEWISBURG, Pa. --- The postseason continued for Bucknell University senior free safety Kevin Eiben when he was chosen to The Sports Network Division I-AA All-America Third Team on Tuesday. The native of Delta, British Columbia (Vancouver College) had already been tabbed an American Football Coaches Association All-American, a second team Associated Press All-American, a first team All-Patriot League selection, a first team ECAC All-Star, the Patriot League's Scholar-Athlete, and the team's MVP.
Eiben becomes the fourth Bucknell football player, and the first since Ed Burman in 1995, to be selected to The Sports Network Team.
The 6'0," 205-pound senior, who was presented with the Lewisburg Touchdown Club Award (MVP) after a record-setting year for the Orange and Blue, led the Patriot League and ranked seventh in the nation with eight interceptions (0.73/g). Eiben piled up 150 return yards on his interceptions to set a Bucknell single-season record, and tied another when he picked off four passes against Duquesne early in the season. That accomplishment also earned him a place in the Patriot League record book and an appearance on ESPN's Thursday Night Football "Hidden Video" segment. He finished second on the team with 78 tackles (44 unassisted) and led the squad with 10 pass breakups.
In addition, Eiben had an outstanding season as the league's top punt returner. He returned 30 punts for 366 yards, an average of 12.2 yards per return, to rank 15th in Division I-AA. In the process he set Bucknell single- season and career punt return marks with 366 and 626 yards, respectively, and set a Bison career record with 51 punt returns. He had his best punt return performance when he returned seven punts for 126 yards at Towson, setting a Patriot League single-game mark.
Eiben was also honored for his academic achievements when he was selected to the Verizon Academic All-District 2 First Team.
The entire Associated Press I-AA All-America Third Team defense follows:
The Sports Network 2000 Division I-AA All-America Third Team DefenseDefense Pos. Name School DL Clenton Ballard Southwest Texas St. Jr, 6-2, 310 DL Mike Cecere Delaware Sr., 6-3, 275 DL Jake Morrison McNeese State Sr., 6-3, 219 DL Khary Williams Hofstra Sr., 6-4, 260 LB Roger Allen Elon Sr., 6-1, 230 LB Greg Belzer Eastern Washington Sr., 6-1, 240 LB Derick Pack James Madison Jr., 6-1, 205 LB Travis Stephens The Citadel Jr., 6-0, 225 DB Abdul Byron Lehigh Jr., 5-11, 190 DB Kevin Eiben Bucknell Sr., 6-0, 205 DB Rashad Floyd Portland State Sr., 5-10, 182 DB Nate Gates Georgia Southern Sr., 6-0, 184 P Dan Frantz Portland State Sr., 6-2, 193