BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The University of Sioux Falls Football Team, which won the program's first-ever NSIC title during a 12-1 season in 2016, has been ranked No. 10 by Lindy's Sports in its College Football National 2017 Preview. USF senior running back Max Mickey was named to Lindy's Sports preseason Division II All-American team.

USF, which was also ranked a program-D2-best #8 in the final AFCA Coaches and D2Football.Com Polls, won the NSIC title as part of recording its first-ever unbeaten regular season (11-0) at the DII level. The Cougars, which recorded the school's 12th unbeaten regular season overall, is the third straight year that USF has been ranked in Lindy Sport's preseason DII rankings.

Mickey of Holden, Mo., is the third straight USF student-athlete named to the Lindy's Sports Preseason All-American Team. Offensive line Antonio Green was honored in 2016 while defensive back Solomon St. Pierre was named in 2015.

In 2016, the Cougars earned its third straight postseason appearance and second straight NCAA DII playoff appearance. USF hosted two home playoff games for the first time, including its first playoff win (Azusa Pacific, 34-21) before falling in the second round in overtime to Harding, 27-24. USF, which will be led by first-year head coach Jon Anderson, returns 10 starters, including seven named all-league. The Cougars, which has been ranked for 36 consecutive polls in national rankings, has won 32 of its last 36 games.  

With 11 or more wins in two of the past three seasons, the USF program, which has a DII best 23 consecutive winning seasons, have won 185 games since the turn of the Century (16 years). The Cougars, led by Mickey, finished third in the nation in rushing at 308.1 yards per game and seventh in total offense at 511.3 yards. USF had a school-record 24 all-league players, 31 Academic All-NSIC selections and 13 total All-American honors in 2016. 

Mickey was named first team All-NSIC before earning five postseason All-American honors in 2016. One of the nation's top backs all season, Mickey was named one of 42 candidates for the Harlon Hill Award as the DII's top player. He was ranked in the top-six nationally in six different statistical categories, including finishing first in NCAA DII in rushing yards per carry at 8.6. Mickey was fifth nationally in rushing yards per game at 135.7 per game while sitting second in DII in rushing yards with 1,764. He was fifth in total TDs (22), and sixth in points scored (132) and rushing TDs (19). With the 1,764 yards, Mickey broke the school record of USF Sports Hall of Fame member David Ruter, who had 1,726 yards in 1996.

In his career, Mickey has recorded 13 100-yard rushing games (fourth most in USF school history). He was part of a USF offense that ranked third in rushing yards per game at 308.1, seventh in total offense at 511.3 yards per game with 6,647 yards, the second highest total in school history, and 17th in scoring at 39.0 ppg. Six times in 2016 he had 150 yards or more yards against in a game while setting a career-high with 207 yards and a TD vs Bemidji State. Mickey was named NSIC Player of the Week on Oct. 10 after averaging 10.3 yards per carry with 15 carries for 156 yards and four total TDs in a win over SMSU when the Cougars rolled up 670 yards in total offense, the best total by the program at the DII level.

In his career, he has 429 carries for 2,783 yards (8th all-time at USF) and 32 rushing TDs.Mickey has had five carries of at least 70 yards, including a career-best 76 yards against Concordia St. Paul on Oct. 22 at Bob Young Field. He has 42 receptions for 329 yards and three TDs while totaling 3,161 all-purpose yards, including 1,900 in 2016.

Lindy's Magazine Preseason DII Top 25
1. Northwest Missouri State
2. Ferris State
3. Grand Valley State (Mich.)
4. Emporia State (Kan.)
5. Indiana University – Pennsylvania
6. Harding (Ark.)
7. California – Pennsylvania
8. Texas A&M Commerce
9. North Carolina-Pembroke
10. Sioux Falls
11. Minnesota-Duluth
12. LIU – Post
13. Azusa Pacific
14. Colorado Mines
15. Shepherd (W.V.)
16. North Greenville (S.C.)
17. Valdosta State (Ga.)
18. Central Missouri
19. North Alabama
20. Ashland (Ohio)
21. Newberry (S.C.)
22. Tuskegee (Ga.)
23. Texas A&M-Kingsville
24. West Georgia
25. Colorado Mesa