The Missouri Western football team placed 16 players on All-MIAA teams which is tied for the most in the MIAA with Northwest and Pittsburg State. Western received 18 honors in all, with Greg Zuerlein being named the MIAA’s Special Teams Player of the Year.
Western’s five first team selections were the most in the MIAA. The Griffons had two second team selections and nine players named honorable mention. It is the fourth time in program history that at least five Griffons received First Team All-MIAA honors. Seven selections in 2005 were the most, with six in 2006 and five in 1994.
Zuerlein set an MWSU record, with 20 field goals in the regular season. He also broke a school record, with a 58-yard field goal against Northwest Missouri State. His 18 consecutive field goals made were an MIAA record, and he led the conference with 10.7 points per game average. His 2.2 field goals per game average is the best in the nation, and his .952 field goal percentage leads the nation for any kicker with at least 12 attempts. Zuerlein became Western’s first MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year and is just the third Western kicker named first team all-conference. Zuerlein was named the conference’s Special Teams Player of the Week three times which includes the last two weeks against Northwest Missouri State and Fort Hays State. Zuerlein was also named the D2Football.com Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts in the Griffons 31-28 victory over Northwest Missouri State.
Michael Hill received his first nod as a first team selection. The junior running back led the conference in rush attempts (244) and rushing yards (1,240). Hill broke the school record for rush attempts in a game with 41 carries, for a career best 246 rushing yards against Southwest Baptist. Hill was named MIAA Offensive Player of the Week for that performance. His 1,498 all-purpose yards were fourth in the MIAA and his 12 touchdowns and 30 receptions were both tops on the team. Hill is currently 5th all-time in rushing yards with 2,736 just 36 yards shy of tying Rodney Stephenson for 4th. Hill is second all-time in carries with 596 just 97 shy of tying Thomas Hodges for the lead with 693. Hill has rushed for over 100 yards five times this season and has helped the Griffons to a 8-0 record when rushing for over 200 yards as a team.
Macon Allan joined Hill as a first time member of the first time. The 6-4, 310 lb. offensive tackle helped pave the way for the Griffons’ rushing attack, which ranked second in the MIAA (2,794 yards). The King City, Mo. native started all 11 games this season, and has started every game since 2009 (35). The Griffon s are averaging 5.6 yards per rush and 254 yards per game on the ground.
David Bass also garnered first team status for the first time in his career. The junior defensive end broke a school record with 20 tackles for loss. His 14.5 sacks leads the conference and left him one-half sack short of the single season school record. He is 1.5 sacks short of the career record with 28.5. His two, four sack performances each tied a school record for most in a game. Bass earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors twice and was the D2Football.com Player of the Week once.
Safety Shane Simpson also made the first team for the first time in his career. The junior compiled 41 total tackles and four interceptions. His four interceptions were second most on the team, and his 47 interception return yards led the team. Simpson recorded two pass break ups, six passes deafened and one fumble recovery.
Simpson’s fellow safety, Jack Long was named to the second team. Long recorded 42 total tackles, three pass break ups, three passes deafened and one fumble recovery. The senior from Parkville, Mo. started 23 consecutive games and was a first-team All-Conference selection in 2010.
Ben Pister joined Long as a second team selection for the first time in his career. The junior defensive end’s 8.5 sacks were the fourth most in the MIAA. The St. Joseph native finished with 38 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, one interception, two pass break ups, three passes deafened and one forced fumble.
Western also placed a conference best, nine players on the honorable mention list: Travis Partridge, QB; Tarrell Downing, WR/PR/KR; Colt Schulte, OL; Brian Chiles, OL; Austin Baska, DL; Tom Madget, LB; Ben Jackson, DB; Jeremy Weston, DB and Scott Groner, P.
Missouri Western will host their first ever home playoff game on Saturday, November 19 against rival Northwest Missouri State. Game time is set for 12:00 pm from Spratt Stadium.
— MWSU Sports Information —