BURNSVILLE, Minn. – On the heels of earning a third consecutive NCAA DII playoff berth, No. 18 University of Sioux Falls Football Team (9-2) has had 14 student-athletes selected to the NSIC All-League squad released today by the league office.
Linebacker
Dennis Gardeck, who ranks third nationally in sacks (13.5), was selected the NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year. He is the second straight Cougars' player to earn the honor (Delvin Batiste, 2016). The other league honors included Andrew Spencer, Winona State, Defensive Player of the Year; Shane Zylstra, Minnesota State, Offensive Player of the Year; Nate Gunn, Minnesota State, Offensive Newcomer of the Year; and Tom Sawyer, Winona State, Coach of the Year.
USF's only first team all-league selection was
Dennis Gardeck, a senior from Lake in the Hills, Ill. However, the Cougars had 10 second-team all-league honors. They included
Max Mickey, a two-time All-NSIC senior running back from Holden, Mo.;
Joshua Butler, a three-time All-NSIC senior strong safety from Aurora, Colo.;
Nicholas Stanke, a two-time All-NSIC tight end from Eau Claire, Wis.;
Kyle Campiotti, a two-time All-NSIC linebacker from Livermore, Calif.;
Michael Atonio, a senior linebacker from Kodiak, Alaska;
Derek Landis, a senior defensive end from Lakewood, Colo.;
Jesse Springer, a two-time All-NSIC senior offensive tackle from Denver, Colo.;
Trey Pipkins, a two-time All-NSIC junior offensive tackle from Apple Valley, Minn.;
Logan Dykstra, a junior defensive end from Hull, Iowa;
Jason Towns, a senior running back/return specialist from Harvey, Ill. Honorable mention selections included
Ayinde Warren, a senior safety from Silver Spring, Md.;
Brian Mayberry, a two-time All-NSIC honorable mention senior defensive lineman from Loveland, Colo.; and
Stuart Vanden Heuvel, a senior punter/placekicker from Watertown, Wis.
In total, USF had eight members of the league's top-ranked defense honored with four named on offense and two on special teams. With the 14 selections named in 2017, USF has had 86 All-NSIC honorees during six years in the league. This year, USF finished third overall and third in the NSIC South. The Cougars led the NSIC in rushing defense (63.3 ypg), scoring defense (11.5 ppg), total defense (234.1 ypg), ranked third in passing defense (170.8 ypg), third in pass defense efficiency (101.1), second in opponent first downs (139) and first in sacks with 39 or five more then the next closest team. On offense, USF ranked fourth in rushing (193.1 ypg), fifth in total yards (383.5 ypg), and sixth in scoring (26.6 ppg). On Saturday, the Cougars will make their fourth straight postseason appearance, including third straight in the DII playoffs, when they face No. 5 Midwestern State (9-0) in Wichita Falls, Texas, at 1 p.m.
First Team All-NSIC Honorees -
#47 Dennis Gardeck, 6-0, 230, LB, Lake in the Hills, Ill.
In his first year at USF, Gardeck had a major impact on the league's top defensive unit. In earning his fourth all-conference selection (three-time Mountain East honoree), he was named first-team all-league after recording 13.5 sacks, which ranked third in DII (1.23 per game) and 19.5 tackles (1.77 per game) for losses of 93 yards, which ranked 12th nationally. The senior led the NSIC in both categories while registering 66 tackles, two forced fumble, fumble recovery and a safety. He had a team-high 43 solo stops. In his first game at USF, he put together a memorable performance, registering five sacks in a 26-7 win over Minnesota-Duluth on the road. The five-sack performance still ranks as the top individual performance in DII this year. With his 13.5 sacks, USF led the league and ranked seventh nationally with 39 sacks. Gardeck had 13 solo sacks, a total that ranked second in DII. Heading into the playoffs, Gardeck has 336 career tackles, 56 TFLs, 31.5 sacks (fourth among active leaders), nine forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and interception
Second Team All-NSIC Honorees -
#1 Jason Towns, 5-6, 165, Sr., RB/PR/KR, Harvey, Ill.
Towns, a dynamic punt return specialist and explosive running back, was named All-NSIC for the first time, earning second team honors. In 2017, he averaged 9.0 per punt return (31-280-2 TDs), which ranked sixth in the league. He had a pair of punt return TDs, going 42 yards against Minnesota-Duluth and 66 yards vs. Minnesota-Crookston. He also averaged 21.5 yards on six kickoff returns. In 11 games, he led the Cougars with 1,315 all-purpose yards, which ranked third in the league with 119.5 yards per game. He also had a standout season at running back with 191 carries for 862 yards and six TDs. Towns had five 100-yard rushing games including eight carries for 101 yards and a TD vs. Minnesota Crookston; 25 carries for 125 yards and a TD against Concordia St. Paul; 29 carries for 154 yards and a TD in the "Key to the City" win over Augustana; 26 carries for 120 yards in the win over Upper Iowa and 37 carries for 136 yards against Minnesota State. He ranked sixth in the NSIC with 78.4 yards per game. In 32 games, Towns has 1,944 all-purpose yards, including 1,129 career rushing yards on 274 carries with seven TDs.
#5 Joshua Butler, 6-0, 187, Sr., SS, Aurora, Colo.
In 44 career games, Butler, a two-time senior captain and MBA student from Aurora, Colo., has 240 career stops with 146 solo stops and 25 passes defended. Butler, a two-time Academic All-NSIC selection, earned his third straight All-NSIC honor, making the second team for the second time (2015). Named the Most Inspirational Award recipient by USF in 2016, he was first-team All-NSIC a year ago. In his career, Butler has recorded two interceptions in his career and also has a sack. This season, Butler has 51 tackles, including 26 solo stops, two tackles for loss and seven pass breakups on the league's top defense.
#19 Kyle Campiotti, 5-10, 217, Sr., LB, Livermore, Okla.
Campiotti, an exercise major, accumulated 48 tackles, including 29 solo stops with 10.0 TFLs, which ranks 11th in the NSIC, and 3.0 sacks in 2017 for the league's top-ranked defense. He also has four pass breakups and two quarterback hurries. Against Upper Iowa, he picked off the second pass of his career. With the interception, he returned it 67 yards for his first career defensive TD. For his career, he has 115 tackles in 24 games with 74 solo stops, 11 TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
#22 Max Mickey, 5-9, 190, Sr., RB, Holden, Mo.
Eight-time All-American
Max Mickey, who was a candidate for the Harlon Hill Trophy (DII's top player) a year ago, has been named to the All-NSIC for the second time, earning second team honors after playing just five games. He was off to a fast start to 2017 with 873 yards (2nd, nationally) on 146 carries and eight TDs in five games. Before he sat out the last five games due to an injury, Mickey led the league with 174.6 yards per game. He had 37 carries for 114 yards and a TD in the 26-7 win over Minnesota-Duluth; 24 carries for 217 yards, including an 87-yard TD run, and two TDs in the win over Northern State; 24 carries for 150 yards and two TDs in the 38-7 victory over U-Mary; 24 carries for 180 yards and a TD in the 34-0 win over Minnesota Crookston and 37 carries for 212 yards and a pair of TDs in the 24-10 victory over Southwest Minnesota State. Mickey ranks fourth all-time at USF with 3,656 yards. However, he is sixth all-time in NSIC rushing (league games only) with 3,388 yards on 532 carries and 37 TDs in 40 league games. His 6.36 yards per carry is sixth all-time and his 84.7 yards per game ranks 14th in conference history. With 37 carries for 212 yards and two TDs in the 24-10 win over SMSU, Mickey had his third 200-yard rushing game of his career and was the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career. He has 10 games of 150 rushing yards or more in his career including four straight. A business major, Mickey is tied for third all-time at USF in 100-yard rush games with 18, five in 2017.
#31 Michael Atonio, 5-9, 238, Sr., LB, Kodiak, Alaska
A senior social work major, Atonio was named All-NSIC for the first time, earning second team honors. In his first season as a starter at middle linebacker, Atonio has made a huge impression. A hard-hitting linebacker, he finished the regular season leading the team with 67 tackles, including 41 unassisted stops, and had nine tackles for loss, four sacks, a fumble recovery and two forced fumbles on the league's top-ranked defense. He has 80 career tackles, nine tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and four sacks in 15 games.
#46 Derek Landis, 6-2, 230, Sr., DE, Lakewood, Colo.
A business administration major, Landis has earned his first All-NSIC honor, being named second team in 2017. This year, he accumulated 28 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, which ranks seventh in the NSIC, as well as three pass breakups and had a 17-yard fumble recovery return for a TD against Minnesota-Duluth in the opener. He now has 33 career tackles, nine TFLs, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, eight sacks during his career.
#67 Jesse Springer, 6-3, 280, Sr., OT, Denver, Colo.
A senior exercise science major, Springer has earned All-NSIC second team honors for the second straight year. A two-time NSIC All-Academic selection, he is a nominee of the Gene Upshaw Award for DII's top lineman and an Academic All-District nominee. He has 70 knockdowns with a 90 percent grade in 2017. Springer has allowed just two sacks and four in his career. Member of offensive front that returned two starters but have ranked in top five in offense in NSIC and top four in rushing all year, despite the loss of All-American running back
Max Mickey. The USF offensive front ranks third in sacks allowed. In his career, he has graded out at 91 percent over his four years with 128 knockdowns. He was part of an offensive line that helped USF rank third in the nation a year ago in rushing with 308, setting a school record for rushing yards.
#78 Trey Pipkins, 6-7, 300, Jr., OT, Apple Valley, Minn.
A junior sports management major, he has earned All-NSIC second team honors for the second straight year. A two-time NSIC All-Academic selection, he has 85 knockdowns with a 91 percent grade in 2017. Pipkins, a member of an offense that ranks fifth in the league in total yards, has allowed just one sack and two in his career. A member of offensive front that returned two starters but have ranked in top five in offense in NSIC and top four in rushing all year, despite the loss of All-American running back
Max Mickey. In his career, he has graded out at 90 percent over his four years with 142 knockdowns. He was part of an offensive line that helped USF rank third in the nation a year ago in rushing with 308.1 yards per game, setting a school record for rushing yards.
#85 Nicholas Stanke, 6-3, 245, Sr., TE, Eau Claire, Wisc.
A nursing major, Stanke has earned his second straight All-NSIC second team honor at tight end. Twice, he has been named Academic All-NSIC. In 2017, Stanke has recorded 26 catches for 298 yards and a TD. One of the best blocking tight ends in USF's DII history, Stanke has helped USF averaged nearly 200 yards a game. Called, "the better blocking tight end I've coached," by USF head coach
Jon Anderson, Stanke helped USF ranked fourth in the league in rushing in 2017. In his career, he has 97 career receptions for 1,017 yards and six TDs in 47 games at USF.
#90 Logan Dykstra, 6-2, 255, Jr., DE, Hull Iowa
A secondary education major, Dykstra recorded 15 tackles and two tackles for loss at defensive end on the league's top ranked defense. In his career, he has 53 tackles, 24 solo stops, three sacks and two fumble recoveries.
NSIC Honorable Mention Honorees –
#12 Stuart Vanden Heuvel, 6-2, 207, Sr., KP, Watertown, Wis.
A senior business administration major, Vanden Heuvel has earned his first All-NSIC honor, earning honorable mention selection. A punter/kicker, Vanden Heuvel was been named the NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week twice (Oct. 16 and Oct. 30). He leads the NSIC in net punting at 36.6 yards per game. He also leads the league with 21 punts placed inside the 20-yard line. He has 71 career punts placed inside the 20-yard line. Vanden Heuvel has been one of the nation's most proficient placekickers, making 19-of-23, including 13 straight. He is also 30-of-32 in extra points and has totaled a team-high 87 points, which ranks third in scoring among kickers. Vanden Heuvel has set the school record for career punts at 225, field goals in a season with 19 and career punting yard with 8,184. This season, he has converted all six of his field goals over 40 yards with a career-long of 50 yards. Vanden Heuvel's 19 made field goals lead the NSIC
#26 Ayinde Warren, 6-1, 200, Sr., S, Silver Spring, Md.
A Master of Business Administration graduate student, Warren played a key role in the secondary for the league's top-ranked defense. He had 21 tackles, including 17 solo stops, two tackles for loss and a team-high three interceptions. He also had two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry. In his career, Warren has accumulated 165 tackles, 92 solo stops, nine tackles for loss, and six interceptions.
#91 Brian Mayberry, 6-3, 283, Sr., DT, Littleton, Colo.
A criminal justice major, Mayberry was named All-NSIC honorable mention for the second straight year. He had 29 tackles, including 13 solo stops, three tackles for loss, a sack, pass breakup and fumble recovery. Mayberry a powerful inside tackle on the league's top-ranked defense, has 80 career tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Twice, he has been Academic All-NSIC.
