VALLEY-FOOTBALL.org – Indiana State's Elijah Owens, Rashad Rochelle, and Jorge Valdes were all named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference's All-Newcomer Team as announced by the conference office on Tuesday morning.
 
Owens earns All-Newcomer honors after leading Indiana State's passing and rushing efforts over the course of the 2024 season. The Jacksonville, Ill. native set a Sycamore quarterback rushing record with 645 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns over the course of the season, while adding 1,717 passing pards and 12 more scores through the air. He finished fifth in the MVFC in total offense per game (222.88).
 
Owens, named a Jerry Rice Award Finalist earlier this season, posted three 100-yard rushing games and three 200-yard passing efforts over the course of 2024. He added three games with multiple passing touchdowns including a 30-for-37 game with 260 yards and three touchdowns against Eastern Illinois.
 
Rochelle earned All-Newcomer honors after finishing among the national leaders in the return game, while also finishing among the conference leaders in most receiving categories. The Springfield, Ill. native was third in the MVFC in all-purpose yards (112.63) in conference play while finishing third in the Valley in receptions and receptions per game.
 
Rochelle highlighted his first season with the Sycamores with a 10-catch, 105-yard, one-touchdown game against Illinois State, while posting 11 games with three or more receptions. He added five games with 50-plus receiving yards on the season, while also showcasing his speed and open field vision in finishing sixth in the NCAA FCS in combined kick return yards (751).
 
Valdes earned All-Newcomer honors after taking over a starting role in the Indiana State defensive backfield early in the 2024 season. The Fort Wayne, Ind. native tied for the Sycamore lead with two interceptions, while finishing sixth in the MVFC in passes defended with eight on the year.
 
Valdes highlighted his season with a 90-yard pick-six early in the season that sparked Indiana State's defensive efforts in the 24-13 win over Dayton. He added a season-high seven tackles and his second interception of the year against Youngstown State.
 
The three Sycamores bring Indiana State's postseason accolades to eight on the year after five players were honored on the MVFC All-Conference team on Monday afternoon. Geoffrey Brown (LB) earned First Team honors, while Joey Shew (DL) took Second Team recognition. Maddix Blackwell (DB), Garret Ollendieck (LB), and Rochelle (RS) all were honored on the Honorable Mention team.
 
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