The duo heads a list of 22 student-athletes named to the 2005 Gateway All-Newcomer Team. Gateway coaches, sports information directors and a media panel selected the team. The top 11 vote-getters on offense and defense were named to the team.

During the season, Mason played in nine games and averaged 99.1 yards per contest, which included a 115.7 per game average during seven Gateway Conference games. He tied for the conference lead with eight rushing touchdowns during conference play. The transfer from Illinois is the first Youngstown State player to earn Newcomer of the Year honors since YSU joined the conference in 1997. Nelson, meanwhile, is the first true freshman Redbird to start for ISU since 1998 as he started all 11 contests, finishing sixth on the team with 57 tackles. He also led the team with six pass breakups, and late in the season, was ISU's kick returner, averaging 22.2 yards per return.

OFFENSE
QB Blayne Baggett, Indiana State, Sr.
TB Lee Baker, Missouri State, Sr.
OL Andrew Campbell, Western Kentucky, Fr.
QB Scott Carroll, Missouri State, So.
WR/RS Jamie Goodwin, UNI, Sr.
RB David Horne, UNI, Sr.
OL Chris McConnell, Western Kentucky, Fr.
OT Darren Marquez, Southern Illinois, So.
TB Marcus Mason, Youngstown State, Jr.
RB Pierre Rembert, Illinois State, Jr.
OG Jimmy Wegerer, Southern Illinois, So.

DEFENSE
DT Deyontae Batiste, Missouri State, Sr.
LB Jerome Bennett, Western Illinois, So.
CB Codera Jackson, Youngstown State, Jr.
DT Charles Johnson, UNI, Sr.
CB Greg Lovely, Missouri State, Jr.
DL Piana Lukabu, Western Illinois, Sr.
DB Tom Nelson, Illinois State, Fr.
LB Jenkins Reese, Western Kentucky, So.
DT Mychal Savage, Youngstown State, Fr.
DB Trokon Tompo, Western Illinois, Fr.
DE Lorenzo Wims, Southern Illinois, Jr.