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Five Hawks Named 2009 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes
Dickinson State University Athletic Department is pleased to announce the names of their five 2009 Daktronics-NAIA Football Scholar-Athletes. The Blue Hawks were the 2009 Dakota Athletic Conference Champions.
Tyler Schmidkunz- Linebacker Jr. Education Bismark, N.D. Russell Lambert- Fullback Jr. Biology Ekalaka, Mont. Tyler Grosz- Run. Back Jr. Farm&Ranch Mngt. Mott, N.D. Jerel Hafner- Linebacker Jr. Business Adm. Ludlow, S.D. Michael Cooper- Quarterback Jr. Business Adm. Westhope, N.D.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced that a total of 212 football student-athletes have been named 2009 Daktronics-NAIA Football Scholar-Athletes. Nominated by each institution's head coach, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and have achieved junior academic status to qualify.
Dickinson State’s season came to an abrupt end today against Carroll College in the first round of the NAIA playoffs at Nelson Stadium in Helena, Mont. The #2 ranked Saints dealt the #17 ranked Blue Hawks a 59-7 defeat. DSU was frustrated the entire afternoon and ended the day with the unbelievable statistic of minus 10 yards rushing.
In fact, the Blue Hawks did not pick up their first 1st down of the game until after the Saints led 24-0 midway through the second quarter. The chains were moved when via a 19-yard pass from junior quarterback Cody Holland to Blaine Berg. However the drive stalled on a 4th down incompletion that fell harmlessly in the end zone.
The Blue Hawks did get a break early in the game from an interception by Luke Steiner. Unfortunately James Macey fumbled the back right back and the Hawks were unable to take advantage of the Saints’ miscue. Macey led DSU on the ground with 26 yards on 15 carries.
The Hawks were down 31-0 at the half. DSU finally scored with 14:12 left in the game on a 40-yard connection between Holland and Clint Grosz. Cole Zamira’s conversion was good but the Hawks still trialed 52-7. The Saints added their last TD of the game at the 9:59 mark on a 31 yard run by Chance Demarais.
Dickinson State finished with just seven 1st downs on the day. Holland was eight of 20 in the passing department for 102 yards. Berg had three receptions for 34 yards while Grosz (45 yards) and Max Pearson (25) both made two catches. Blue Hawks Place 12 Players on All DAC 1st Team and Two on the 2nd Team
The 2009 DAC Champion Blue Hawk football team had a great showing on the All DAC teams. The Hawks were honored with 12 1st team selections, two 2nd team selections, and Head Coach Hank Biesiot was honored with his 2nd consecutive DAC Coach of the Year award. The Blue Hawk offense had five players on the 1st team, the Blue Hawk defense placed five members on the 1st team and two on the 2nd team, and two Blue Hawks were honored as 1st team special teams award winners. Derek Pauley, Blaine Berg, Jordan O’Donnell, James Macey, and Cody Holland were all named 1st team on offense. Bodie Tobin, Jamie Walker, Derion Williams, Mike Keyser, and Jason Kraft were named 1st team on defense. Derion Williams and Sean Russell were honored on the 1st team special teams. Pauley was honored at tight end for the 3rd consecutive season. He was a 1st team selection in both 2008 and 2009 and was a 2nd team selection in 2007. Pauley was 2nd on the team with 18 receptions for 314 yards. He averaged 17.4 yards per catch. He led the team in scoring, hauling in seven TD’s along with two 2-pt. conversions. Berg gets the nod for his 2nd All DAC award. He was a 2nd team selection at wide receiver in 2008. In 2009, he hauled in 32 passes for 634 yards and six TD’s. He averaged 19.8 yards per reception and 63.4 yards per game. O’Donnell is making his 1st ever appearance on the All DAC team. He has been a three-year starter on the Blue Hawk offensive line. He has started every game for DSU the past two seasons. Macey was honored for the 2nd time in his career. He was named 2nd team All DAC in 2007. He took a medical redshirt in 2008. He finished the regular season with 714 yards on 181 carries and six TD’s. He averaged 71.4 yards per game. Macey also hauled in eight passes for 92 yards. Holland also earned 1st team for the Hawks in his 1st season at DSU. He was honored as an at-large selection. Cody was also named to the 1st team All DAC baseball team this past spring. Holland had a solid regular season for the Hawks. He completed 96 of 176 pass attempts (55%) for 1603 yards with 18 TD’s and eight INT’s. He also added 137 yards rushing and three TD’s. He was 11th in the NAIA in passing efficiency. Tobin makes his 2nd appearance on the All DAC team. He was a 2nd team selection in 2008. He appeared in eight games for DSU amassing 34 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 QB sacks, one pass break up, and one forced fumble. He was named 1st team as a defensive lineman. Walker is making his 1st team appearance at defensive line. He finished 4th on the team in tackles from his nose guard position, racking up 56 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 6.0 QB sacks. Williams gets his 2nd straight nod on the 1st team at defensive back. He was also honored as the DAC’s 1st team kick-off returner. He accounted for 36 total tackles and six break ups during the year. He also led the conference in kick-off returns, returning 17 kicks for 274 and one TD. Keyser was also named to the 1st team for the 2nd straight season at linebacker. He has been a mainstay in the Blue Hawk linebacker corp for four seasons. He was 2nd on the team with 68 total tackles. He also added 9.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 QB sacks, and one INT. Kraft was named 1st team as an at-large selection. He led the Blue Hawks with 79 total tackles from his inside linebacker position. He also added 6.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 QB sacks, and one INT. Rounding out the 1st team selections is punter Sean Russell. Russell led the DAC in punting, averaging 39.8 yards per punt with a long of 83 yards. He pinned the opponents inside the 20-yard line on eight difference occasions. Second team selections include John Tuchscherer and Deavan Washington. Tuchscherer was named to the second team in both 2008 and 2009 as a defensive lineman. He registered 36 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and 2.0 QB sacks. Washington was named 2nd team as a defensive back. He was 3rd on the team with 58 total tackles. He also accounted for 4.0 tackles for loss, 0.5 QB sacks, and one INT. He led the team with eight pass break-ups. Four Blue Hawks were named honorable mention all-conference. Clint Grosz (WR), Zach Hepperle (RB), Luke Steiner (DL), Jerel Hafner (LB). Head Coach Hank Biesiot was named 2009 DAC Coach of the Year. He was also honored in 2008 as the DAC coach of the year. It is his 11th conference coach of the year award. The 2009 DAC championship is the 16th conference championship under Biesiot’s guidance. Biesiot sits just 14 wins away from the NAIA all-time wins record as a head football coach. His career record at DSU is 242-93-1. Click here for More Articles >> For more information call (701) 483-2735. |
