ST. LOUIS -- Missouri State outside linebacker Nick Canavan (Fr., Norman, Okla.), who was slated for a redshirt season until the fourth week of the 2010 season, has been named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team, the league announced Wednesday (Dec. 1). 

After seeing the field for the first time on October 2 against Youngstown State, the true freshman made an immediate impact. He finished the year with 51 total tackles in eight contests (6.4 per game) with six tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. He also earned six starts and finished fourth on the club in total tackles.  His debut campaign also included 22 solo stops, three passes defended and a pair of quarterback hurries.

He posted nine tackles in his first career start in the Bears' game at Murray State on Oct. 9 and remained in the team's starting lineup the rest of the season. He twice earned the squad's defensive player of the week honors from the coaching staff and recorded seven total tackles in three other ball games.

Canavan was the sole Missouri State representative on the league's 26-player squad of freshmen and transfers. Northern Iowa junior quarterback Tirrell Rennie was named MVFC Newcomer of the Year, and Youngstown State quarterback Kurt Hess earned Freshman of the  Year honors.

Since the MVFC began recognizing an All-Newcomer Team in 1994, only Western Illinois (68) has had more selections than Missouri State which now boats 65 honorees in 17 seasons.

The Bears will depart with 20 seniors from a 5-6 squad that finished 4-4 in the MVFC to tie for third in the nine-team Division I league. MSU was 5-0 at Plaster Field this season to post its first unbeaten home season since 1992 and defeated three ranked opponents, including two NCAA Division I playoff qualifiers.

The team's annual awards banquet will take place at JQH Arena on Sunday, Dec. 12.