PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico’s Vili Fisiiahi and Mazin Richards were named Preseason All-Americans by Lindy’s Sports football magazine for the upcoming 2021 season.
Fisiiahi returns for his senior year and was named to the offensive Second Team Preseason All-American list. Fisiiahi appeared and started in all 12 contests as a junior during the 2019 season. With his help, the Greyhounds were second in the nation in rushing attack (348.4 yards per game) and set the program’s best team rushing performance in a single season (4,181 total yards).
In 2019, he was named an Honorable Mention Don Hansen All-American, to the Don Hansen All-Super Region 4 Second Team, and to the All-Lone Star Conference Second Team for his efforts as the teams’ top offensive line performer.
Richards was named to the defensive Second Team Preseason All-American list. As a freshman in 2019, he led the team in tackles for loss with 14.5, led the LSC in sacks with 12.5, and set the program single-season sack record. Richards recorded four multi-sack games and received LSC Defensive Player of the Week honors after totaling six tackles and 3.5 sacks in Eastern’s upset win over No. 21 nationally-ranked Angelo State on November 9.
He earned several accolades in 2019, including spots on the Don Hansen All-Super Region 4 Third Team and All-LSC Second Team.
Eastern New Mexico returns to the field on September 2 when the team welcomes Central Washington University to Greyhound Stadium for a 6 p.m. contest. The 2019 squad posted an 8-4 overall record and 4-4 record in LSC play. Head coach Tye Hiatt begins his first year with the program and will look to continue the success and winning tradition of the Hounds.
