Trio of UMC Players Honored by NSIC

CROOKSTON, Minn.–  The University of Minnesota Crookston football team had three players to the All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) teams released Tuesday morning by the conference office. UMC was led by Greg Lofquist (Sr., LB, South St. Paul, Minn./Criminal Justice), who was named to the NSIC North Division All-Conference First Team, becoming the first player since Richard Haley in 2011 and 2012 to receive First Team honors from UMC.

Lofquist was joined on the All-NSIC team by Andrew “Rock” Hall (Sr., LB, Detroit, Mich./Criminal Justice) and Drew Selvestra (Jr., DL, Eagan, Minn./Criminal Justice), who were named NSIC North Division All-Conference Honorable Mention. This is Hall’s second time being honored as he earned All-NSIC, as he was All-NSIC Second Team a season ago. Selvestra is a first-time honoree.

Lofquist led the Golden Eagles with 160 tackles, which was the most tackles a player has ever had in a single-season at UMC, surpassing the previous mark set by Neil Austin in 2001. Lofquist’s 98 tackles were also a single-season record, as were his 62 solo tackles. Lofquist led the NSIC in tackles on the season and was third in the nation in total tackles. The senior was moved to linebacker from defensive end prior to the start of his senior campaign due to injury and far exceeded expectations with his performance. Lofquist had nine-straight games with 10 or more tackles and ended his season with 20 tackles against Minnesota State University Moorhead, which ranks third all-time in a single game. Lofquist had 13.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and one interception on the season.

Hall was injured earlier on in the season but ended his senior campaign strong. Hall was third on the team with 78 tackles and had two tackles for loss. Hall had 13 tackles against Minot State University and 11 against No. 2 University of Minnesota Duluth.

Selvestra was the NSIC leader for defensive lineman with 88 tackles on the season, which was second on the team. Selvestra had 8.5 tackles for loss and led the team with 4.5 sacks on the season. Selvestra had 10 tackls against Southwest Minnesota State University, 11 tackles against Winona State, 12 against Bemidji State University, 11 against University of Mary and 12 against Minnesota Duluth.

University of Sioux Falls quarterback Luke Papilion was named NSIC Offensive Player of the Year. Minnesota State University, Mankato defensive end Josh Gordon earned NSIC Defensive Player of the Year. The NSIC Offensive Newcomer of the Year was Minnesota State quarterback Nick Pieruccini. Dion Roche was the NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year, while Northern State University’s Tom Dosch was NSIC Coach of the Year.
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

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