11/20/2012 - http://miac-online.org/news/2012/11/14/FOOTBALL_1114124640.aspx
ST. PAUL, Minn. --
The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) was one of
the nation's most competitive Division III football conferences in
2012 and, Tuesday, the league honored the top performers from an
outstanding season with the announcement of the 2012 MIAC Football
Awards. The conference honors included top individual awards,
First- and Second-Team All-Conference selections, and the All-MIAC
Sportsmanship Team.
A pair of Concordia standouts were recognized for their great
seasons with the league's top two individual student-athlete
awards. Senior running back Brett Baune (Fargo,
N.D./South) was named the 2012 Jim Christopherson MIAC MVP, and
senior offensive lineman Tom Knowlton (Fargo,
N.D./South) was honored with the 2012 MIAC Mike Stam Award. St.
Thomas Head Coach Glenn Caruso was voted the 2012
MIAC Football Coach-of-the-Year after leading the Tommies to their
third-straight MIAC championship, making it the third year in a row
he has been honored with the conference's top coaching honor.
Much of the Cobbers physical offensive identity came from their
powerful ground game, led by Baune and Knowlton, who were also
teammates at Fargo South High School. Concordia finished 8-2
overall, 6-2 in the MIAC and tied for second place in the
conference standings in 2012. The Cobbers ended the season ranked
No. 22 in the both the AFCA Division III Coaches' Poll, and
D3football.com Top 25. Concordia had the MIAC's top overall rushing
attack with an average of 255.6 yards per game, and it finished
third in total offense (410.0 yards per game) and scoring (34.1
points per game).
MIAC MVP Baune capped his career in style scoring three touchdowns
in his final game to push his career total to 34, breaking the
previous school record of 33, held by Cobber Head Coach
Terry Horan. Baune was one of just two MIAC
players to rush for 1,000 yards this season, finishing with 1,040
yards overall and 711 rushing yards in MIAC games. His 13
touchdowns and 78 points led the conference, and his 104.0 yards
per game ranked second.
Baune averaged 5.3 yards per carry, which ranked seventh in the
league, and he added six catches for 67 yards, an average of 11.2
yards per catch. The Concordia senior averaged 88.9 yards per game
in conference play, which ranked fourth in the league and he led
all players with 11 touchdowns in MIAC games. Baune was named MIAC
Offensive Player-of-the-Week twice (Sept. 10, Nov. 1), and he
headlined the All-MIAC First Team Offense, after earning
Second-Team honors in 2011. Baune also received Capital One
Academic All-District honors last week.
Clearing a path for Baune all season was fellow Cobber Knowlton,
the Mike Stam Award-winner, who earned his second-straight All-MIAC
First Team honor for his performance at offensive tackle. The 6-5,
300-pound lineman was a force up front for the MIAC's top rushing
attack, as Concordia ran for 2,556 yards with 29 TDs on the ground
and a team average of 5.2 yards per carry. The Cobbers has a
league-best 142 first downs on the ground, and ranked third in the
MIAC in time of possession with an average of 31:43. Knowlton
helped lead Concordia to its eight wins, which is the team's
highest win total since 2005.
Caruso's Tommies made history again this season, claiming their
third-straight MIAC title, and becoming the first team in
conference history to go undefeated (10-0) in three-straight
regular seasons. As a result, Caruso received his third-straight
MIAC Coach-of-the-Year honor for his work leading the third-ranked
Tommies to give him three conference coaching honors in his first
five seasons at UST. Awards are nothing new to Caruso, who has won
the Liberty Mutual Division III Coach-of-the-Year award in each of
the past two seasons. Caruso's record is 54-7 in four-plus seasons
at St. Thomas and his team has won 34 consecutive regular-season
games, and 27-straight in the MIAC.
St. Thomas' latest champion had a great offense and a dominant
defense. The Tommies led the MIAC in nearly every defensive
category, including scoring (14.5 points per game), total defense
(265.5 yards per game), rushing defense (66.5 yards per game) and
sacks (35). Caruso's club also featured the MIAC's top-ranked
offense (482.4 yards per game) and it was second in time of
possession (32:12). St. Thomas received the MIAC's automatic bid to
the 2012 NCAA Division III Football Playoffs, where it has advanced
to at least the quarterfinals in each of the past three seasons,
including a trip to the semifinals in 2011.
The MIAC All-Conference teams were made up of 37 selections on both
the First and Second Teams, 17 each on offense and defense and
three on special teams. The First Team featured a heavy emphasis on
upperclassmen, with 23 seniors, 13 juniors, no sophomores and one
freshmen among the 37 selections.
Conference champion St. Thomas led all teams with nine First-Team
selections, while co-runners up Concordia and Bethel were next with
seven and six honorees, respectively. St. Olaf had five First-Team
picks, Augsburg and Saint John's had four each and Gustavus and
Hamline were each represented by one First-Team selection.
There were 11 repeat selections on the First Team in 2012. On
offense, Knowlton, St. Olaf wide receiver Stephen
Asp, St. Thomas offensive lineman Curtis
James and Bethel offensive lineman Josh
Wolfe all received First-Team honors for the
second-straight season. On the defensive side of the ball, St.
Thomas defensive lineman Riley Dombek, Concordia
defensive lineman Mark Wychor, Bethel inside
linebacker Seth Mathis, St. Thomas outside
linebacker Harry Pitera, Saint John's defensive
back Bobby Fischer and St. Thomas defensive back
Chinni Oji were also repeat First-Team selections.
Hamline punter John Broback was also back on the
First Team, after also earning the honor in 2010.
As part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative, the MIAC
announced the seventh annual All-MIAC Sportsmanship team for
football. Members of the All-MIAC Sportsmanship team are selected
by their coaches and teammates as individuals who demonstrate
ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field of
competition.
2012 MIAC Football
Awards
Jim Christopherson MIAC MVP - Brett Baune, Running
Back, Concordia (Sr., Fargo, N.D./South)
Mike Stam Award - Tom Knowlton, Offensive Line,
Concordia (Sr., Fargo, N.D./South)
MIAC Football Coach-of-the-Year - Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas (Fifth season)
2012 MIAC First Team All-Conference - Offense
|
Name |
Team |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/Previous School |
|
Dan Dobson |
St. Olaf |
Sr. |
QB |
Mankato, Minn./West |
|
Aryton Scott |
Augsburg |
Fr. |
QB |
Minneapolis, Minn./Southwest |
|
Stephen Asp |
St. Olaf |
Jr. |
WR |
Edina, Minn. |
|
Mitch Hallstrom |
Bethel |
Jr. |
WR |
Eden Prarie, Minn. |
|
Tyler Swanson |
Augsburg |
Sr. |
WR |
Lakeville, Minn./North |
|
Adam Carl |
Augsburg |
Jr. |
TE |
Eagan, Minn. |
|
Logan Marks |
St. Thomas |
Sr. |
TE |
Mendota Heights, Minn./St. Thomas Academy |
|
Brett Baune |
Concordia |
Sr. |
RB |
Fargo, N.D./South |
|
Jeffrey Dubose |
Gustavus |
Jr. |
RB |
St. Paul, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran |
|
Michael Thai |
St. Olaf |
Jr. |
RB |
Coon Rapids, Minn./Blaine |
|
Kevin Battis |
Saint John's |
Jr. |
OL |
Blaine, Minn./Centennial |
|
Alex Hsu |
St. Olaf |
Jr. |
OL |
Woodbury, Minn. |
|
Curtis James |
St. Thomas |
Sr. |
OL |
Edina, Minn. |
|
Tom Knowlton |
Concordia |
Sr. |
OL |
Fargo, N.D./South |
|
Jared Penz |
Bethel |
Sr. |
OL |
Rochester, Minn./Mayo |
|
Brian Rud |
Augsburg |
Sr. |
OL |
Lonsdale, Minn./Montgomery-Lonsdale |
|
Josh Wolfe |
Bethel |
Sr. |
OL |
Emmetsburg, Iowa |
2012 MIAC First Team All-Conference - Defense
|
Name |
Team |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/Previous School |
|
Riley Dombek |
St. Thomas |
Jr. |
DL |
Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Cretin-DerhamHall |
|
Connor Grill |
Saint John's |
Sr. |
DL |
Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata |
|
Ayo Idowu |
St. Thomas |
Sr. |
DL |
Woodbury, Minn. |
|
Paul Streich |
Concordia |
Sr. |
DL |
Kalispell, Mont. |
|
Mark Wychor |
Concordia |
Jr. |
DL |
Circle Pines, Minn./Centennial |
|
Seth Mathis |
Bethel |
Jr. |
ILB |
Anoka, Minn. |
|
Matt Moenkedick |
Concordia |
Sr. |
ILB |
Verndale, Minn. |
|
Michael Valesano |
St. Thomas |
Sr. |
ILB |
Brainerd, Minn. |
|
Jordan Doschadis |
Concordia |
Sr. |
OLB |
Moorhead, Minn. |
|
Harry Pitera |
St. Thomas |
Jr. |
OLB |
St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall |
|
Brett Skoog |
Bethel |
Sr. |
OLB |
Long Lake, Minn./Orono |
|
Tremayne Williams |
St. Thomas |
Jr. |
OLB |
Appleton, Wis./North |
|
Ryan Deitz |
St. Thomas |
Sr. |
DB |
Andover, Minn. |
|
Ben Dobson |
St. Olaf |
Sr. |
DB |
Mankato, Minn./West |
|
Bobby Fischer |
Saint John's |
Sr. |
DB |
Plymouth, Minn./Osseo |
|
JD Mehlhorn |
Bethel |
Jr. |
DB |
Lakeville, Minn./South |
|
Chinni Oji |
St. Thomas |
Sr. |
DB |
New Brighton, Minn./Irondale |
2012 MIAC First Team All-Conference - Special Teams
|
Name |
Team |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/Previous School |
|
Jimmie Mattson |
Saint John's |
Sr. |
K |
Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial |
|
John Broback |
Hamline |
Sr. |
P |
Rosemount, Minn. |
|
Seth Lage |
Concordia |
Sr. |
Ret. |
Pelican Rapids, Minn. |
2012
MIAC Second Team All-Conference - Offense
|
Name |
Team |
Year |
Position |
Hometown/Previous School |
|
Matt O'Connell |
St. Thomas |
So. |
QB |
Clear Lake, Wis. |
|
Griffin Neal |
Concordia |
So. |
QB |
Fargo, N.D./South |
|
Dan Ferrazzo |
St. Thomas |
So. |
WR |
Mahtomedi, Minn. |
|
Chase Gottschalk |
Carleton |
Jr. |
WR |
Independence, Minn./Orono |
|
Jay Hillbrands |
Bethel |
Sr. |
WR |
Clara City, Minn./Maccray |
|
Jake Schmiesing |
St. Olaf |
Jr. |
WR |
Stillwater, Minn. |
|
Mark Whiting |
Concordia |
Jr. |
WR |
Alexandria, Minn./Jefferson |
|
Brenton Braddock |
St. Thomas |
Fr. |
RB |
Mahtomedi, Minn. |
|
Stephen Johnson |
Saint John's |
Sr. |
RB |
Mahtomedi, Minn. |
|
Jesse Phenow |
Bethel |
Jr. |
RB |
Richfield, Minn. |
|
Jason Flesher |
St. Thomas |
Jr. |
OL |
Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata |
|
Stephen Girard |
Hamline |
Sr. |
OL |
Milaca, Minn. |
|
Brian Grundmeyer |
Gustavus |
Sr. |
OL |
Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley |
|
Jack Hedlund |
Saint John's |
Jr. |
OL |
St. Cloud, Minn./Tech |
|
Tom Quist |
Concordia |
Sr. |
OL |
Alexandria, Minn./Jefferson |
|
Chad Thompson |
Augsburg |
Jr. |
OL |
Maple Grove, Minn. |
|
Michael Yanckello |
St. Olaf |
Jr. |
OL |
Oviedo, Fla. |
2012
MIAC Second Team All-Conference - Defense
|
Name |
Team |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/Previous School |
|
Lucas Buttenhoff |
Bethel |
Jr. |
DL |
Watertown, Minn./Mayer Lutheran |
|
Chris DeVet |
Augsburg |
So. |
DL |
Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View |
|
Donte Green |
Gustavus |
Jr. |
DL |
Minneapolis, Minn./Minneapolis North |
|
Reed Hefta |
Concordia |
Sr. |
DL |
Falkirk, N.D. /Underwood |
|
Gavin Maurer |
Bethel |
Sr. |
DL |
Morgan, Minn./Cedar Mountain |
|
Pete Hvidston |
Concordia |
Sr. |
ILB |
Fargo, N.D./Oak Grove |
|
Pat Page |
Hamline |
Jr. |
ILB |
Minneapolis, Minn./N.D. College of Science |
|
Bryce Vee |
Augsburg |
Sr. |
ILB |
Coon Rapids, Minn./Blaine |
|
Tyler Berling |
Concordia |
Jr. |
OLB |
Melrose, Minn./Sauk Centre |
|
Joe Haas |
Gustavus |
Jr. |
OLB |
Mission, Kan./Shawnee Mission North |
|
Erik Smith |
Bethel |
Sr. |
OLB |
Henning, Minn. |
|
Hakeem Bourne-McFarlane |
Augsburg |
Jr. |
DB |
Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy |
|
Mike Elder |
Carleton |
Sr. |
DB |
San Antonio, Texas/Central Catholic |
|
Tyler Erstad |
St. Thomas |
Sr. |
DB |
Lakeville, Minn./North |
|
Brent Rysdahl |
Concordia |
Sr. |
DB |
Marshall, Minn. |
|
John Michael Vandenberg |
Hamline |
Sr. |
DB |
Bothell, Wash./Bishop Blanchet |
|
Reggie Woods |
St. Olaf |
Sr. |
DB |
Palm Coast, Fla./Flagler Palm Coast |
2012 MIAC Second Team All-Conference - Special Teams
|
Name |
Team |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/Previous School |
|
Lucas Wainman |
St. Olaf |
Fr. |
K |
Oviedo, Fla. /Paul J. Hagerty |
|
Garrett Maloney |
St. Thomas |
Jr. |
P |
Elm Grove, Wis./Marquette H.S. |
|
Brandon Marquardt |
Bethel |
So. |
Ret. |
Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park |
2012
All-MIAC Football Sportsmanship Team
Augsburg - Eric Dooley (Sr., Eagan, Minn.)
Bethel - Derek Waldbillig (Sr., Farmington, Minn.)
Carleton - Paul Hoffer (Sr., Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata)
Concordia - Paul Streich (Sr., Kalispell, Mont.)
Gustavus - Muresuk Mena (Sr., Inver Grove Heights,
Minn./Simley)
Hamline - John Michael- Vandenberg (Sr., Bothell, Wash./Bishop
Blanchet)
Saint John's - John Ries (Sr., Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata)
St. Olaf - Lordson Jonassaint (Sr., Orlando, Fla./Freedom )
St. Thomas - Dan Bedor (Sr., Bloomington, Minn./Academy of Holy
Angels)