Indiana State running back Shakir Bell had a few pinch-me moments when he traveled to Frisco, Texas, for the Walter Payton Award ceremony last weekend.
The biggest was walking around the field before the NCAA Football Championship Series title game Saturday with the other finalists and Jerry Rice -- who was a star at Mississippi Valley State before his legendary career in the NFL.
"He's talking to us like he's an average guy," said Bell, the former Warren Central High School standout. "He's done all these great things on a football field, yet he still stays humble. That's the image I would like to have."
Bell finished tied for second in the voting behind Eastern Washington quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell for the Payton Award, emblematic of the top player in FCS. He was the first sophomore and first Indiana State player to be invited to the ceremony.
"I felt blessed," said Bell, who rushed for 1,670 yards and was a first-team choice on four all-America teams. "All (three) guys that were finalists were great guys. You could tell why they were great teammates. All they did was talk about their team."
Bell said he hopes he leaves the same impression.
"I don't look at it as to how I'm getting exposure," he said. "Whether people are looking at me or not isn't important. I'm just hoping our team is getting national exposure."
Bell led the Sycamores to a 6-5 record this season -- their second consecutive winning record after a brutal stretch from 2005-09 when they went 2-54 -- including a 27-16 loss to eventual national champion North Dakota State.
Bell said he appreciates being part of turning around the once-struggling program, but he expects better things ahead. "We're not going 6-5 again," he said. "That's not good enough at all. We were one game short of making the (FCS) playoffs. When you get in the playoffs, anything can happen."
Despite his exploits last season, the 5-8, 185-pound Bell insists he has plenty of room to improve. "When I watch myself on film, I can tell my form is terrible," he said. "When I get into open field, I ran with my head tilted back. People congratulate me on my season, but I still have a lot to work for."
Bell finished tied for second with Lehigh quarterback Chris Lum in a poll of 131 voters.
More football
St. Francis linebacker Brody Kalbaugh (Fishers) was a first-team selection on the Beyond College Sports All-America team. Kalbaugh averaged 10.2 tackles per game. St. Francis guard Corey Cronk (Hamilton Southeastern) was a third-team choice.
Men's basketball
Indiana-East guard David Sanders (Beech Grove) scored his 1,000th career point and broke the school record for career steals during the Red Wolves' 97-73 victory over Asbury last Tuesday. Sanders has 1,005 career points and 204 career steals. IU-East (16-4) is ranked 16th in NAIA Division II. . . . Trine's Ian Jackson (Perry Meridian) was named the co-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Player of the Week. Jackson averaged 21.5 points and 3.5 assists in two Trine victories last week and is averaging a team-leading 20.9 points. . . . DePauw's Barry Flynn (Cathedral) scored 14 points as the Tigers beat NCAA Division III No. 14 Wabash 64-55 on Wednesday. DePauw hosts No. 16 Wooster today.
Women's basketball
IPFW's Anne Boese (Bishop Chatard) set the Summit League record for career 3-pointers with 265 during a 73-54 win over Western Illinois last Saturday. The mark was broken two days later by South Dakota State's Jill Young. . . . IUPUI's Kerah Nelson is 15 points from 1,000 for her career. The Jaguars (6-11) host Oral Roberts (10-6) in a Summit League game today.
Miscellaneous
Miami of Ohio's Cameron Schilling (Carmel) was named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's Defenseman of the Week. Schilling had two assists, blocked four shots and helped Miami kill all 13 of its penalties in a pair of victories at No. 15 Michigan State last weekend. . . . Tickets are available for the NCAA Division III swimming and diving tournament, which will be held March 21-24 at the Natatorium at IUPUI. They can be purchased at ncaa.com/tickets or by calling (800) 745-3000.
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