Cohen garners third All-America selection
12/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Senior Matt Cohen has been named to his third All-America team, it was announced on Wednesday as the Mountain Hawks captain earned a spot on the 2009 Sports Network FCS All-America First-Team. For Cohen this is the second time he has earned a spot on an All-America First-Team after garnering a spot on the Walter Camp All-America Team in early December. The Allentown native then went on to be named to the Associated Press All-America Team as a Second-Team selection.
With his selection to the Walter Camp All-America Team earlier this month, Cohen became Lehigh’s first First Team All-America since 2004. A highly talented linebacker, Cohen led the Patriot League in sacks (9.0) and tackles-for-loss (13.5) in 2009, marking the second consecutive season he has accomplished that feat.
The 2009 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, Cohen was the first Mountain Hawk to win a major award from the Patriot League since Jason Leo in 2006 and the first Lehigh player to earn the Defensive Player of the Year honor since Abdul Byron in 2001. He garnered Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week honors on October 12 following his performance in Lehigh’s win over league rival Georgetown where he totaled six tackles, including four-for-loss and three sacks. Cohen finished this season with 63 total tackles, including a season-best ten versus Central Connecticut State in the opener, and he registered two or more sacks in three games.
Cohen wrapped up his Lehigh career with 177 total tackles, 18.5 sacks and 44 tackles-for-loss. He was a Second-Team All-League pick in 2007 and a First-Team selection each of the last two seasons. Cohen is the first Lehigh player to earn two First-Team All-America selections in the same season since Adam Bergen in 2004.
