CEDAR CITY, Utah, Jan. 3 - Southern Utah University linebacker Blake Fenn has been named to this year's Football Championship Subdivision Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star team.

Fenn, a senior from Roosevelt, Utah, finished second among Thunderbirds in 2011 with 86 tackles (45 solo), including 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He also returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown, broke up a pass and recovered a fumble.

His interception return came at UNLV and effectively turned the momentum toward the Thunderbirds, who were tied 10-10 with the Rebels at the time of the pick-six. SUU didn't trail again in the game and went on to claim a 41-16 win. He was honored as Great West Conference defensive Player of the Week following the game.

A two-time all-Great West selection, including a first-team honoree in 2011, Fenn is also a two-time academic all-GWC selection and is anticipated to receive his third conference award when those positions are named later this month.

Fenn, who led the Thunderbirds in tackles in 2010, played in all but three games during his SUU career and has finished among the tema's top-15 tacklers each season, including his freshman year when he was pressed into duty because of injuries in the season-opener at Air Force where he led the team with a came-high 16 tackles, including 11 solo stops.

To be eligible for nomination to the team student-athletes must have been a starter or key reserve with at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale).  They also must have completed four semesters or the equivalent number of quarters at the current institution. 

-- SUU --