Dec. 20, 2002

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Samford senior wide receiver Aryvia Holmes and true freshman return specialist Cortland Finnegan were named to The Sports Network 2002 I-AA All-America Third Team offense Friday. It was Holmes' and Finnegan's second honor of the post-season after being named I-AA Independent Players of the Year.

Holmes, who prepped at Midfield High School in Birmingham, and Finnegan were two of three players from Alabama schools to make one of the All-America teams. Alabama A&M defensive lineman Robert Mathis was named to the First Team defense.

Holmes became Samford's most prolific receiver during his senior season, setting the school record for career receptions in the first game of the season. He also broke the career receiving yards record and set a new school record for single-season receiving yards, which he set last season. Holmes finished the 2002 campaign with 84 receptions for 1,158 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns. Holmes finished the regular season ranked fourth in I-AA in receptions per game (8.4), fifth in receiving yards per game (115.8), ninth in total receiving yards (1,158) and fourth in punt return (15.7 ypr). Holmes finishes his career with 210 receptions for 2,955 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Freshman Cortland Finnegan averaged 32.7 yards per kickoff return and had two touchdowns.

Finnegan, a true freshman from Milton High School in Milon, Fla., finished the season ranked second in I-AA in kickoff returns averaging 32.3 yards per return. The two-time I-AA Independent Special Teams Player of the Week had a career day against Murray State, returning six kicks for 263 yards and two 95-yard touchdowns. He finished the season with 23 kick returns for 741 yards and helped Samford finish seventh nationally in kickoff returns, averaging 23.8 yards per return as a team.