USA Football Network, Inc. is proud to publish its 26th USA College Football Division II Pre-Season All-American Teams. Three Missouri Western football players have been announced to the squads. Junior defensive back Mike Jordan is a first team selection while junior running back Raphael Spencer was named second team. Senior punter Scott Groner was named to the third team. BSN (Beyond Sports Network) also released their 2014 Preseason All-American team. Groner was named to the first team while Jordan was selected to the third team. Spencer, Groner, Jordan and Yomi Alli were all named to the Preseason All-MIAA team which was selected by BSN.
The teams are selected by a national panel including Head Coaches, Sports information Directors, members of the Football Writers Association of America, Metropolitan New York Football Writers Association, New England Football Writers Association and Philadelphia Football Writers, pro football scouts plus staff journalists of Lindey’s Sports Annuals, The Sports Network and USA Football News.
Michael Jordan (DB, 6-0, 200, Jr., Hazelwood, Mo.) was named to the first team All-MIAA for the first time in his career last season after being named MIAA Freshman of the Year and honorable mention in 2012. In 2013, Jordan finished with 48 total tackles with 36 being solo. He had two tackles for a loss to go along with three interceptions and eight pass break-ups. Jordan had seven tackles twice this season against Fort Hays State and Emporia State. He was also named to the Daktronics Super Region Three Second Team and Don Hansen Super Region Three third team.
Raphael Spencer (RB, 5-9, 190, Jr., Kansas City, Mo.) was named second team All-MIAA for the first time in his career in 2013. He finished the season rushing for 1,312 yards on 198 carries and 12 touchdowns. He averaged 119.3 yards per game which is first in the MIAA and 19th in the nation. He ran for over 100 yards six times last season and over 200 yards once which was at Central Oklahoma when he went for 221 yards on 24 carries. He also caught 21 passes for 150 yards. Spencer was named MIAA Player of the Week on November 11, 2013 for his 193 yards two touchdown performance at Washburn in a 34-31 victory. He is currently 9th all-time in rushing with 1,920 yards in his career. Spencer also earned Don Hansen All-Region second team and Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-America honors.
Scott Groner (P, 6-4, 200, Sr., Tecoma, Victoria (Australia)) had an outstanding 2013 averaging an MIAA best 42.6 yards per kick. He ranked 11th in the nation with that average. Groner punted 50 times for 2,132 with a long of 61 yards on September 21, 2013 at Nebraska-Kearney. He had nine kicks of 50 or more yards to go along with 13 kicks inside the 20. It was first time in his career that he has been named to the first team All-MIAA. He was an honorable mention selection in 2011. Groner was also named to the Daktronics Super Region Three Second Team, first team Don Hansen All-Region and honorable mention Don Hansen All-American.
The Griffons finished the season with an 8-3 overall record and 7-3 MIAA record. It was the eighth time in the past nine seasons and 11th time in Head Coach Jerry Partridge’s tenure that the Griffons have won eight or more games. This Griffon open up the 2014 season on Thursday, September 4 against the University of Central Missouri. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm in Spratt Stadium.
— MWSU Sports Information —