BURNSVILLE, Minn. – On the heels of winning its first NSIC championship and earning a second straight playoff appearance, the #4 University of Sioux Falls Football Team (11-0) has earned a number of accolades on the NSIC All-League squad release today by the league office, including the Cougars' Jed Stugart, who was named the league coach of the year.  A total of 23 student-athletes were named first team, second team and honorable mention, the most in program history and the highest total of any team in the NSIC. In individual player honors, Delvin Batiste was selected the NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

For the first time, Stugart, who has led his team to a 64-16 record at USF in seven seasons, has earned the NSIC Coach of the Year honors. He has directed his team to an unbeaten regular season, which is the 12th in school history. Stugart, who has a 51-15 record in the DII era, led his team not only to the overall NSIC title for the first time but also the NSIC South crown, defeating all seven teams in the division. This season, USF has defeated four teams with 8-3 marks and five squads with winning records.

Additionally, Stugart, who is the school's first ever All-NSIC Football Coach of the Year,has an offense that is ranked third in NCAA DII (532.0 yards per game) and the third best rushing offense (323.2 ypg).  In his seventh season at USF, Stugart has led his team to a 45-10 NSIC record and now has 90 career wins. He is 24-4 at home against NSIC teams and 21-6 in road NSIC games. Overall, he owns a 36-5 home mark and has an incredible 28-10 record in road games. This year, his team has recorded 10 wins by double digit margins and earned the #2 seed in Super Region 3 of the NCAA DII playoffs. Also, Stugart's team has been ranked 34 consecutive weeks, earned 13 top-five rankings, and sits at #4 in the AFCA DII Coaches Poll. USF, which was picked to finish third, has now won nine or more games in four of the five seasons in the NSIC, twice recording 11 wins. In just five seasons in the NSIC, the Cougars have made three postseason trips, including twice in the NCAA DII playoffs. Overall in USF history, Stugart now becomes the seventh conference coach of the year. David Schroeder was the SDIC Coach of the Year in 1982, Bob Young was twice named GPAC Coach of the Year (2002, 2003) and Kalen DeBoer was a three-time GPAC Coach of the Year (2006, 2007, 2009) when USF was in NAIA.

Aside from Coach Stugart, USF also picked up an individual award by a player. Senior cornerback Delvin Batiste was named the NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year, which is a first in program history. This season Bastiste recorded 33 tackles, 21 solo stops, three sacks, 5.5 TFLs and two interceptions along with eight pass breakups, which ranked eighth in the league. He also had two interceptions and recorded at least four tackles four times. He was part of a defense that ranked second in total defense (358.5 ypg), second in scoring defense (18.8), second in rushing defense (112.4 ypg), and allowed 45 total points in final four games.

The first team All-NSIC selections included two-time All-American Antonio Green, NSIC rushing champ junior Max Mickey, and senior offensive center Trevor Wescott, junior wide receiver and special teams ace Kyle Groeneweg, senior defensive back Delvin Batiste, junior strong safety Josh Butler,  senior defensive end Westly Johnson and senior linebacker Michael Mehling. Second team members from USF include senior wide receiver Josh Angulo, senior quarterback Luke Papilion, sophomore offensive tackle Trey Pipkins, senior wide receiver Brady Rose, junior offensive tackle Jesse Springer; tight end Nicholas Stanke; junior linebacker Kyle Campiotti, senior defensive end Evan Gentry, junior free safety Jeffrey Harman, senior defensive end Drew Jackson, cornerback Clifford Redmond and sophomore place-kicker Brett Garner. In addition, senior running back Justin Fulks, senior offensive lineman Terry Huber, senior linebacker Nathan Lucs and defensive lineman Brian Mayberry. 

All-NSIC 1st Team - Bios
Antonio Green, 6-3, 294, senior, offensive guard, Dublin, Ga.
Green, a sports management major, has become USF's second (John Tidwell) three-time first team All-NSIC selection and is a two-time Gene Upshaw Award nominee. He has been named a preseason All-American by Lindy's Sports Magazine and Game Plan. In two plus seasons at USF, Green has graded out at 86.8 percent, allowing just 1.5 sacks while recording 190.5 knockdowns.. In 2015 graded out at 88 percent, allowing no sacks with 54 knockdowns. Already in 2016, he has graded out at average of 86.4 percent with 80.5 knockdowns and no sacks allowed.

Max Mickey, 5-9, 185, junior, running back, Holden, Mo.
Mickey, a business administration major, earned first-team all-NSIC honors for the first time after rushing for 1,550 yards on 195 carries with 18 rushing TDs.  He ranks in the top 15 in NCAA DII in seven categories and top five three, including ranking first in yards per carry at 9.1. He is four in rushing yards with 1,550, just 40 yards from the top spot. He is fifth in rushing yards per game at 140.9 ypg and eight in total TDs with 19. He is ninth in DII in totaled points scored with 114. Mickey has recorded eight 100-yard rushing games, including 178, 185, 207, 140, 156, 128, 165. and 132, has had 12 runs of at least 25 yards.. In 33 games, Mickey has 395 carries for 2,569 yards and 29 TDs. He has accumulated 2,803 career yards, including 1,682 in 2016 with his 152.91 yards per game ranking 22nd nationally. He has 11, 100-yard rushing games with a career-high of 207.  Mickey is part of the league's best and DII third ranked rushing offense (323.2 ypg) as well as DII's third ranked offense (532.0 ypg). He was also an NSIC Player of the Week.
 
Trevor Wescott, 6-5, 268, senior, offensive center, Blue Springs, Mo.
Wescott, who earned first team NSIC honors for the first time, is an all league pick for the second straight year. The leader of one of the league and the nation's top ranked offensive fronts, Wescott is a three-year team captain and two-time All-NSIC selection. Wescott and the USF offensive front ranks ninth in DII (0.91 per game) in sacks allowed and part of an offense which ranks third in DII with 532.0 yards per game, including a rushing offense that is third at 327.8 yards per game. Wescott, a sports management major, has graded out 89.9 percent with 640 positive reps, 37.5 knockdowns and 1.5 sacks.  He has been named Academic All-NSIC two straight years.

Michael Mehling, 5-11, 200, senior, linebacker, Las Vegas, Nev.
One of the league's most dominant player in 2016, Mehling, a media studies/theatre major, ranked second in the league with 105 tackles, which was 39th nationally. In earning first team All-NSIC honors for the first time, he accumulated 66 solo tackles, which was first in the league and 17th nationally. In fact, he averaged 6.0 solo stops per game. Named NSIC Defensive Player of the Week earlier, he had 13 tackles for loss (6th, NSIC) with 5.5 sacks (12th, NSIC). Mehling, who had three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and recorded a pick-six for 36 yards vs. Minot State. Mehling had five games with double digit tackles, including in each of the final four games of the season.

Westly Johnson, 6-4, 210, senior, defensive end, Grand Rapids, Mich.
One of the league's top pass rushers, Westly Johnson earned NSIC honors for the second straight year but became a first team All-NSIC selection for the first time. This season, Johnson has had 7.5 sacks (5th, NSIC), which gives him 19 in his career, tied with current teammate Evan Gentry for 10th all-time at USF. He added 9.5 tackles for loss along with 27 tackles, including 20 solo stops. He had a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries.

Josh Butler, 5-11, 179, Jr., strong safety, Aurora, Colo.
Butler earned his second straight All-NSIC honor but made first team for the first time. Butler, who is a computer science major, ranked second on the team in tackles with 69 and now has 183 career stops. He had 38 solo stops, TFL, four pass breakups and two interceptions for 53 yards with one for 52 yards. In his career he now has 4.5 TFLs and four forced fumbles.

Delvin Batiste, 5-11, 192, Sr., cornerback, Upland, Calif.
Among the individual awards, USF's senior cornerback Delvin Batiste was named the NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year. This season he recorded 33 tackles, 21 solo stops, three sacks, 5.5 TFLs and two interceptions along with eight pass breakups, which ranked eighth in the league. H also had two interceptions and recorded at least four tackles four times. He was part of a defense that ranked second in total defense (358.5 ypg), second in scoring defense (18.8), second in rushing defense (112.4 pg), and allowed 45 total points in final four games.
 
Kyle Groeneweg, 5-10, 183, Jr., return specialist/wide receiver, Inwood, Iowa
Groeneweg, who earned first team honors for the first time, was a standout kick returner and wide receivers as he made big plays in a multitude of ways. Groeneweg, who ranked 12th in the league with 110.27 all-purpose yards per game, ranked second in the league and 20th nationally with 761 combined returns. He was sixth in the NSIC and 50th nationally in kick returns at 25.2 per return while sitting second in the league and 15th nationally with 14.0 yards per punt return. Groeneweg, an exercise science major, also had 22 receptions for 374 yards with four TDs, including a 74-yard pitch and catch thrown by Clint Sigg on a tight end option play. He also had a 39-yard TD reception from Brady Rose on a H-back option throw.
 
All-NSIC Second Team selections - Bios
Josh Angulo, 6-0, 209, senior, wide receiver, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Angulo, a chiropractic science major, earned his second, second-team All-NSIC honor and his third all-league honor after being honorable mention a year ago. He has 55 receptions for 663 yards (17th, NSIC) and eight TDs (7th, NSIC). With 205 career receptions, Angulo has moved up to third on USF's all-time receiving list. He has a season-career best 15 catches for 164 yards (1, 4, 43) vs. Bemidji State (37-36 W, 9-24-16). Angulo's 15 catches in a win over then #22 Bemidji State tied a school record (Kalen DeBoer, Nov. 2, 1996 vs. Nebraska-Wesleyan) and is the most catches by a receiver while USF has been at DII. Angulo ranks fifth all-time at USF in all three major receiving categories with 205 receptions, for 2,775 yards and 29 TDs.
 
Luke Papilion, 6-5, 221, senior, quarterback, Denver, Colo.
A two-time team captain and three-time All-NSIC selection, Papilion, a business administration  major is the school's all-time leader in passing yards and total offense.  Papilion, the NSIC's only two-time Harlon Hill candidate, now has had two straight second team All-NSIC selections. He has 12,107 total yards in offense, which ranks fifth all-time in the NSIC. Papilion has a school record 8,805 yards passing and his 3,302 rushing yards ranks fifth all-time at USF and first among quarterbacks. In fact, his 3,302 rushing yards is first among active leaders in DII. He also has set passing marks in completions (703), attempts (1,207) and total offense in a game (506).   Plus Papilion, the 2014 NSIC Offensive Player of the Year and a fourth team All-American,  is the only NSIC QB ever to throw for 8,800 yards and rush for 3,000. He ranks second all-time in TD passes. Twice, he has been named Academic All-NSIC.

Trey Pipkins, 6-7, 290, Sophomore, Apple Valley, Minn.
Pipkins, who earned his first All-NSIC honor on second team, is a key member of an offensive front that ranks ninth nationally with just 10 sacks allowed. He also has played a key role in the nation's third ranked offense at 532.0 yards per game and third ranked rushed offense at 323.2 yards per game. The offense front has produced the two top leader rushers (Papilion, Mickey) in per carry average in DII. Pipkins, who has made 22 straight starts as a sophomore, has graded out at the top of USF's offensive front at 92.4 percent grade. He has 709 reps, including 655 positive reps and 34.5 knockdowns, and one sack allowed.

Brady Rose, 5-11, 210, senior, H-back, Cumberland, Wisc.
Named second team All-NSIC for the second straight year, Rose has 182 career receptions for 2,359 yards, which ranks sixth at USF all-time in both categories. He also has tied Zach Rutten (1997-2001) for ninth all-time in TD receptions with 19.  Rose has showed his flexibility in the USF offense by catching and throwing a TD vs. SCSU on Sept. 1 in the opener at Husky Stadium. An Academic All-American (CoSIDA) and two-time Academic All-District (CoSIDA) honoree, he has also earned Academic-All-NSIC honors. A business administration and sports management major, he has 50 catches and 668 yards receiving and three TDs. He has sixth career 100-yard receiving games and the only player of the team with both 100-yards rushing and receiving in a game.

Jesse Springer, 6-3, 265, junior, offensive lineman, Denver, Colo.
Springer, who earned his first All-NSIC honor on second team, is a key member of an offensive front that ranks ninth nationally with just 10 sacks allowed. He also has played a key role in the nation's third ranked offense at 532.0 yards per game and third ranked rushed offense at 323.2 yards per game. The offense front has produced the two top leader rushers (Papilion, Mickey) in per carry average in DII. Springer has graded out at the top of USF's offensive front at 94.6 percent grade. He has 709 reps, including 671 positive reps with 35.5 knockdowns, and one sack allowed.

Nicholas Stanke, 6-3, 241, junior, tight end, Eau Claire, Wis.
For the second straight year, Stanke has earned All-NSIC honors at tight end. This season, he has 19 catches for 212 yards and 11.2 yards per receptions. For his career, Stanke has 71 catches for 719 yards and five TDs. A nursing major, he has earned two Academic-All-NSIC honors.

Kyle Campiotti, 5-10, 208, junior, linebacker, Livermore, Calif.
In his first season at USF, Campiotti has had a stellar season for the second ranked defense in the league. Campiotti, an exercise science major, has accumulated 56 tackles, including 35 solo stops. He has 1.5 TFLs, a sack, interception, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.

Evan Gentry, 6-3, 252, senior, defensive end, Tallahassee, Fla.
A three-time All-NSIC selection (twice second team), Gentry ranks as one of the all-time best in USF school history. A two-time Academic All-NSIC selection, he has 165 career tackles, including 104 solo stops. He has registered 40.5 TFLs for a -163 yards, which ranks fourth all-time at USF. He is tied with teammate Westly Johnson for 10th all-time with 19 career sacks.  Gentry, who has had five sacks in a season three times and recorded 20.5 TFLs as a sophomore,  has received the "Outstanding Leadership, College Week" award from Media Studies during the Spirit of Excellence Awards Celebration.

Jeffrey Harman, 5-11, 203, junior, free safety, Redlands, Calif.
In his first season at USF, Harman, an exercise science major, has made a big impression, earning a starting spot midway through the season. Harman, who earned his first All-NSIC honor, ranks fourth in the team and 53rd nationally with 0.4 interceptions (four interceptions, 34 yards).  He has had 39 tackles, including 26 solo stops with two TFLs, and four pass breakups.

Drew Jackson, 6-2, 258, senior, defensive end, San Francisco, Calif.
In his second season, Jackson has been a key contributor on USF's defense, which ranks second in the league in total defense and rushing defense. Jackson, a criminal justice major, was named to the NSIC All-League second team for the first time. In 2016, Jackson has 25 tackles, including 20 solo stops along with 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Jackson, who had a pick-six vs Augustana a year ago, has 15 career TFLs and nine sacks. He has 49 career tackles and 31 by solo means.

Clifford Redmond, 5-10, 171, senior, cornerback, Elk Grove, Calif.
Redmond, a criminal justice major, earned his first All-NSIC honor by making the second-team squad. One of the league's top cover corners, Redmond ranks first in the NSIC and seventh nationally with three fumble recoveries and is third in the league and 25th nationally with 0.5 interceptions. With five interceptions (3rd, NSIC) for 30 yards and seven pass breakups, he ranks seventh in the league with 12 passes defended. This season, he has 47 tackles, including 37 solo stops with a TFL. In 14 career starts, he has eight interceptions at USF. Redmond has 78 career tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 62 solo stops, forced fumble and a sack. He also had a pick-six this season against Upper Iowa.  

Brett Garner, 5-10, 173, sophomore, place-kicker, Springfield, Mo.
Garner has earned his first career NSIC All-League honor. A business major, Garner ranks fifth all-time in kicking scoring at USF with 177 points in 23 games. He has made 117 PATs, including 56 in 2016, with 20 field goals in 28 attempts for 71.4 percent. This season he is 11-of-15 for field goals for 73.3 percent, including a career long 45-yard make vs. Upper Iowa. He has earned an NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week honor this season.

NSIC Honorable Mention
Terry Huber, 6-4, 297, senior, offense lineman, Yankton, S.D.
Huber earned his first All-NSIC honorable mention recognition. A senior education major, Huber is a key member of an offensive front that ranks ninth nationally with just 10 sacks allowed. He also has played a key role in the nation's third ranked offense at 532.0 yards per game and third ranked rushed offense at 323.2 yards per game. The offense front has produced the two top leader rushers (Papilion, Mickey) in per carry average in DII. He has graded at 87.4 percent grade, 713 reps, 623 positive reps, 25 knockdowns, and 0.5 sacks.
 
Nathan Lucs, 6-0, 217, senior, linebacker, Des Moines, Iowa
Lucs, a two-year starter, has received his first-ever All-NSIC recognition with his honorable mention selection. Lucs has recorded 42 tackles, including 24 solo stops, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles with a pass breakups this season on USF defense, which has allowed just 45 points in the final four games and is ranked second in total defense. An exercise science major, Lucs has registered 109 career tackles, including 65 solo stops in 40 games. He has 5.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks in his career along with three forced fumbles and two pass breakups.  

Brian Mayberry, 6-4, 270, junior, defensive lineman, Littleton, Colo.
Mayberry has been selected for his first-ever All-NSIC recognition with his honorable mention selection. Mayberry, who is an exercise science major, was named Academic All-NSIC a year ago. He has recorded 27 tackles, including 13 solo stops, two TFLs, two sacks, a forced fumble, and two pass breakups on USF's defense, which has allowed just 45 points in the final four games and is ranked second in total defense in the NSIC.  In his career, he has totaled 48 stops with 22 solo stops, four TFLs and two sacks.
 
Justin Fulks, 5-11, 188, senior, running back, Overland Park, Kan.
A media studies major, Fulks has earned his first ever All-NSIC honorable mention selection. In his career, Fullks has rushed 262 times for 1,471 yards and 10 TDs. Interestingly, he has played for three straight playoff teams, including 2013 national champions at NMSU. At USF, he has 225 carries for 1,269 yards and eight TDs. This season, he is averaged 7.1 yards per carry on 99 rushes for 707 yards and five TDs. He has three 100-yard rushing games with a career best 21 carries for 140 yards and two TDs vs. SMSU.