Dec. 15, 2003

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State University defensive back Dimitri Patterson has been named to The Sports Network 2003 All-America football team.

Patterson, a first-team all-Ohio Valley Conference selection, was named to the All-America second team defense selected by The Sports Network.

The junior defensive back led the OVC in pass interceptions with six and passes broken up with 12.

"Dimitri is an excellent football player who is always around the ball," said Southeast defensive coordinator Shannon Morrison. "He has a nose for the football and made some big plays for us this year."

Patterson, originally from Evans High School in Orlando, Fla., ended the season with 62 tackles, 7.5 tackles for losses of 27 yards, 1.5 sacks for 10 yards in losses, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

"I greatly appreciate being named an All-American," Patterson said. "I knew I had a good year, but I didn't know if I had a chance to make the All-America team because we weren't in the playoffs. It is really a great honor."

Southeast Missouri won five of its final seven games to finish 5-7 overall and 5-3 in the OVC.