Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Valparaiso University had three football players named to Don Hansen's Football Gazette NCAA 1-AA Mid-Major All-America Team, including one earning First Team honors when the honors were announced on Wednesday.

Junior running back Jeff Horton (Saint Louis, Mo./Lutheran North H.S.) garnered First Team honors after rushing for a school record 1358 yards. He scored 13 touchdowns, including ten on the ground, and finished the season with 1800 all-purpose yards.

Senior offensive guard Ryan Palonka (Boca Raton, Fla./Olympic Heights H.S.) and senior kicker Andrew McCawley (Omaha, Neb./Creighton Prep H.S.) each were named as Honorable Mention selections. Palonka started every game of his career wearing the Brown and Gold, while McCawley was a perfect 20-of-20 on point after touchdowns and went 9-of-13 on field goal tries.

This is the 13th season that Don Hansen's Football Gazette has selected a NCAA 1-AA Mid-Major All-America team.