Missouri Western junior football player Michael Yardley was named to the Capitol One Academic all-District team, presented by the College Sports Information Directors of America, on Thursday afternoon.

This marks Yardley’s first Academic All-District award in his career. The junior transfer from Nebraska-Omaha has anchored the offensive line making ten starts in the Griffons eleven games. He has helped the Griffons rush for over 100 yards in each game this season which includes seven times over 200 yards. Western is 7-0 when rushing for over 200 yards this season. The Griffons have rushed for over 300 yards twice which includes 363 against Lincoln on October 8, 2011. The Griffons have rushed for 2,360 yards on the season for a 5.4 yard per carry average. If the season ended today it would be the highest per carry average in school history as the highest is 5.35 set in 1996.

An accounting major, Yardley entered the 2011-12 academic year with a 3.66 grade-point average.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at her institution and be nominated by her sports information office. The terms “Academic all-American” and “Academic all-District” are trademarked by CoSIDA and are the officially tracked academic awards by NCAA institutions.

Western wraps-up the regular season on Saturday, November 12th in Hays, Kan. against the Fort Hays State Tigers. Game time is set for 2:00 pm from Lewis Field Stadium.

— MWSU Sports Information —