Martin Luther, MacMurray headline UMAC football postseason awards
Photos by Northwestern, Martin Luther and MacMurray Sports Information
ST. PAUL, Minn.---The 2018 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) football season marked the third-straight season in which a new team was crowned the conference champion as Martin Luther College cruised to a perfect 8-0 record and the team's first NCAA tournament appearance. Following their success, the Knights highlight the UMAC postseason awards with 10 All-UMAC First Team selections and two of the top five awards, announced Thursday.
Head Coach Mark Stein was selected as UMAC Coach of the Year following the Knights' historic season, while Austin DeNoyer was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player honor. Runner-up MacMurray College picked up two top honors as Javon Muhammad was a repeat pick for Most Valuable Defensive Player and Anthony Fowler was tabbed Most Valuable Lineman. University of Northwestern kicker Josiah Donat was selected Most Valuable Special Teams Player.
Stein earned the top coaching honor for the second season in a row after leading the Knights to a 9-1 overall mark and the program's first conference title since 2009. The performance of his squad is even more impressive considering the Knights went 0-10 in his second year at the helm in 2016. The Knights won in dominating fashion outscoring opponents in UMAC games by an average of 22.1 points per game (ppg). Martin Luther recorded 40 or more points in five of eight conference games and averaged six touchdowns per conference contest. They led in scoring (39.6 ppg) and were third in points allowed (17.9 ppg).
Offensively, the Knights relied on their running game with a UMAC-best 278.3 yards per game (yd/g) and 30 touchdowns – 17 more than the next best total. Stein's team also boasted an offensive efficiency of 170.9 that led the league and averaged 482.1 yards of total offense per conference game. Their offensive line allowed a conference-low 13 sacks for just 45 total yards. Defensively, the Knights were also solid behind Stein's leadership. They allowed just one rushing touchdown all season and only 87.5 yards rushing per game. The Knights pulled in a conference-best 20 interceptions and tied for the lead in sacks with 30.
Stein's studly offense wouldn't have had the success it did without second-year running back DeNoyer who had a breakout season in the backfield for the Knights. The sophomore led the UMAC in rushing touchdowns (11) and total scores (13) with a conference-best 80 total points – an average of 10 ppg. He was second in rushing yards per game (105 yd/g) and first in total rushing yards (840). DeNoyer averaged 5.7 yards per carry and recorded 1,021 total rushing yards this season. He tallied a long run of 41 yards and put up at least 100 yards in four conference games this season including a 178-yard, three-touchdown performance against the College of St. Scholastica on Sept. 29. DeNoyer capped his spectacular season leading the league in all purpose yards with 143.5 yd/g.
While DeNoyer topped the league on the offensive side of the ball, Muhammad simply crushed his opponents on the defensive side. The defensive lineman capped his incredible career with one of the most dominant seasons in all of college football in 2018. To date, Muhammad leads all four levels of NCAA football in tackles for a loss (TFL) per game (3.6) and sacks per game (1.83). This season, he led both categories in UMAC play with 3.75 TFL and 1.81 sacks/g. Muhammad boasted 60 total tackles with half of those (30) for a loss of a total of 158 yards. His 14.5 sacks were a conference-best and totaled 111 yards. He was third in passes defended (15) and tied for first in pass breakups (15). The repeat Defensive Player of the Year also led a MacMurray defensive line that allowed the second-fewest yards per game (307.6) and only 17 touchdowns.
Muhammad's fellow senior teammate Fowler also helped MacMurray to one of the top offensive team performances this season. The offensive lineman allowed just one sack all year and anchored a line that was second in total sacks allowed with 14 in conference play. The MacMurray offense tallied 377.3 yards per game and finished second in passing with 220 yards per game. Fowler also helped the Highlanders record the second best offensive efficiency numbers with 134.5 and an impressive third-down conversion mark of 40.9 percent. The Highlanders finished as the conference runner-up for the second time in as many seasons with a 7-1 record behind the play of seniors like Fowler and Muhammad.
Northwestern rounded out the top awards with Donat leading a solid special teams effort for the Eagles. The senior achieved the remarkable feat of earning a "Player of the Year" honor in multiple sports after he was selected the 2017 UMAC Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Year. In his first year of collegiate football, Donat led the UMAC in converted field goals with six-made and a 66.7 conversion percentage that was best in UMAC play among individuals with at least two attempts. He was tied for first among all UMAC kickers for scoring with 36 points and was 18-of-19 in point-after attempts. Donat recorded a UMAC-long field goal of 41 yards and his season-best conversion was from 46 yards. He also made two field goals in a game twice and converted three field goals from 35 yards or more over the course of the season.
Martin Luther led the all-conference nods with 10 First Team selections, while Northwestern collected the most total with 14 between First and Second Team. The Knights and Highlanders each tallied 12 awards and St. Scholastica had 10 student-athletes recognized.
Matt Quarles of Westminster College is the lone player to have been recognized on one of the two teams in each of his four seasons and three of his four honors have been at different positions. In addition to Quarles, six other players have been named to one of the two squads including the Saints' Aaron Olson and Jonathan Senger who have been First Team selections each of the last three years as well as Muhammad of MacMurray. The other three honorees include Devonta Preston (MacMurray), Anthony Wahington (Westminster) and Trent White (Westminster).
Of the 13 additional players to earn at least two career all-conference awards, Zach Edwards of St. Scholastica is the only one to collect back-to-back Frist Team honors. The other 12 honorees include Josh Arndt (Martin Luther), Chris Blanchard (MacMurray), Demtrius Curry (MacMurray), Corben Edwards (MacMurray), Fowler (MacMurray), Josh Frailing (Martin Luther), Gregoire Franchomme (Greeville University), Ben Maki (Northwestern), Tristan Pankow (Martin Luther), Nathan Randall (MacMurray), Drew Shipley (University of Minnesota Morris) and Gavin Welch (Northwestern).
Northwestern also won the team sportsmanship award, an accolade that is selected by the UMAC coaches and awarded to the team that best represents sportsmanship throughout the entire season. Each team also had one representative named to the individual sportsmanship award list.
*Most Valuable Offensive Player: Austin DeNoyer, So., Martin Luther
#Most Valuable Defensive Player: Javon Muhammad, Sr., MacMurray
^Most Valuable Special Teams Player: Josiah Donat, Sr., Northwestern
%Most Valuable Lineman: Anthony Fowler, Sr., MacMurray
Coach of the Year: Mark Stein, Martin Luther
2018 UMAC All-Conference First Team Offense
| Pos. |
Name |
Team |
Yr. |
Hometown/High School |
| QB |
Zach Bloomquist |
Martin Luther |
So. |
New Berlin, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran |
| QB |
Zach Edwards |
St. Scholastica |
Jr. |
West St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley |
| RB |
Payton Bowdry |
Northwestern |
Jr. |
Minneapolis, Minn./South |
| RB* |
Austin DeNoyer |
Martin Luther |
So. |
Lake Mills, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran |
| RB |
Stafford Lewis |
Iowa Wesleyan |
Fy. |
Baxley, Ga./Appling County |
| WR |
Josh Arndt |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Rosemount, Minn./Saint Croix Lutheran |
| WR |
Eddie Lee |
St. Scholastica |
Jr. |
Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove |
| WR |
Aaron Olson |
St. Scholastica |
Sr. |
Esko, Minn./Esko |
| WR |
Evan Pruitt |
Northwestern |
Jr. |
Temecula, Calif./Rancho Christian |
| TE |
Mike Radue |
Martin Luther |
So. |
Waukesha, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran |
| OL |
Carrington Cunningham |
Martin Luther |
So. |
Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran |
| OL% |
Anthony Fowler |
MacMurray |
Sr. |
Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington |
| OL |
Josh Frailing |
Martin Luther |
Sr. |
Appleton, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran |
| OL |
Blake Hartmann |
St. Scholastica |
Sr. |
Andover, Minn./Andover |
| OL |
Colton Paskewitz |
Northwestern |
Sr. |
Browerville, Minn./Staples |
| OL |
Kyle Porter |
St. Scholastica |
Sr. |
Isanti, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti |
2018 UMAC All-Conference First Team Defense
| Pos. |
Name |
Team |
Yr. |
Hometown/High School |
| DL |
Keith Brassow |
Martin Luther |
Jr. |
Osceola, Wis../Michigan Lutheran Seminary |
| DL |
Nate Gehlen |
Minnesota Morris |
Sr. |
Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury |
| DL |
Dan Gensmer |
Martin Luther |
Jr. |
Cape Coral, Fla./Michigan Lutheran Seminary |
| DL |
Seth Johnson |
Northwestern |
So. |
Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian |
| DL# |
Javon Muhammad |
MacMurray |
Sr. |
Chicago, Ill./Glenbard West |
| LB |
George Obitz |
Northwestern |
So. |
Florence, Ariz./Florence |
| LB |
Tristan Pankow |
Martin Luther |
Jr. |
Bay City, Mich./Michigan Lutheran Seminary |
| LB |
CJ O'Rourke |
MacMurray |
Sr. |
Pana, Ill./Pana |
| LB |
Jackson Ringhausen |
Westminster |
Sr. |
Bowling Green, Mo./Bowling Green |
| LB |
Jonathan Senger |
St. Scholastica |
Sr. |
Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo |
| DB |
Ben Arndt |
Martin Luther |
So. |
Rosemount, Minn./Saint Croix Lutheran |
| DB |
Chris Blanchard |
MacMurray |
Sr. |
Wiggins, Miss./Stone |
| DB |
Jadon Hatt |
Northwestern |
So. |
Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North |
| DB |
Anthony Washington |
Westminster |
Jr. |
Webster Groves, Mo./Webster Groves |
2018 UMAC All-Conference First Team Special Teams
| Pos. |
Name |
Team |
Yr. |
Hometown/High School |
| K^ |
Josiah Donat |
Northwestern |
Sr. |
Elk River, Minn. / Washtenaw Christian Academy |
| KR |
Gavin Welch |
Northwestern |
Jr. |
Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo |
| P |
Donovan Blatz |
St. Scholastica |
Sr. |
Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View |
| P |
Dylan McDonald |
Iowa Wesleyan |
So. |
Albury, Australia/Scots School-Albury |
| PR |
Sebastian Alvarado |
Crown |
Jr. |
Blaine, Minn./Blaine |
2018 UMAC All-Conference Second Team Offense
| Pos. |
Name |
Team |
Yr. |
Hometown/High School |
| QB |
Nathan Randall |
MacMurray |
Jr. |
White Hall, Ill./North Greene |
| QB |
Trent White |
Westminster |
Sr. |
Punta Gorda, Fla. / Charlotte |
| RB |
Kalyn Davis |
Westminster |
Sr. |
Kansas City, Mo./Lincoln College Prep |
| RB |
Asa Donaldson |
MacMurray |
So. |
Virden, Ill./North Mac |
| RB |
Eric Krahn |
Greenville |
Jr. |
Stockton, Calif./Amos Alonzo Stagg |
| WR |
Demetrius Curry |
MacMurray |
Jr. |
Hanford, Calif./Hanford |
| WR |
Devonta Preston |
MacMurray |
Sr. |
Bay Minette, Ala./Baldwin County |
| WR |
Matt Quarles |
Westminster |
Sr. |
Detroit, Mich./Fort Zumwalt West |
| WR |
Gavin Welch |
Northwestern |
Jr. |
Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo |
| TE |
Greg Franchomme |
Greenville |
Sr. |
Waterloo, Belgium/ITSSEP |
| OL |
Sam Fitch |
Greenville |
So. |
Belleville, Ill./Althoff Catholic |
| OL |
Sam Glaubitz |
Northwestern |
Fy. |
River Falls, Wis./River Falls |
| OL |
Derek Gulrud |
Martin Luther |
So. |
Marshall, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran |
| OL |
Matthew Leathers |
Crown |
Jr. |
Austin, Texas/Hutto |
| OL |
Andrew Owczarzak |
Martin Luther |
So. |
Bay City, Mich./Michigan Lutheran Seminary |
2018 UMAC All-Conference Second Team Defense
| Pos. |
Name |
Team |
Yr. |
Hometown/High School |
| DL |
Onius Heard |
Iowa Wesleyan |
Jr. |
Hazel Green, Ala./Hazel Green |
| DL |
Ben Holt |
Westminster |
So. |
Butler, Mo./Butler |
| DL |
Marcus Scarbrough |
Northwestern |
Jr. |
Pine City, Minn./Pine City |
| DL |
Trevor Schwartz |
St. Scholastica |
Jr. |
Rogers, Minn./Rogers |
| DL |
Jordan Wilkins |
MacMurray |
Jr. |
Chicago, Ill./Schurz |
| LB |
Jeremiah Jones |
Crown |
So. |
Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes |
| LB |
Gavin Jordan |
Greenville |
Jr. |
Carterville, Ill./Herrin |
| LB |
Marcos Luna |
Minnesota Morris |
Jr. |
Minneapolis, Minn./De La Salle |
| LB |
Noah Nightingale |
Northwestern |
So. |
Fennville, Mich./Fennville |
| LB |
Brock Bullar |
Greenville |
Jr. |
Du Quoin, Ill./Du Quoin |
| DB |
Corben Edwards |
MacMurray |
Jr. |
Pleasant Hill, Ill./Pleasant Hill |
| DB |
Will Halloran |
St. Scholastica |
Jr. |
New Prague, Minn./New Prague |
| DB |
Ben Maki |
Northwestern |
Jr. |
Elk River, Minn./Spectrum |
| DB |
Cody Pundsack |
St. Scholastica |
So. |
Melrose, Minn./Melrose |
| DB |
Craig Wrenn |
Iowa Wesleyan |
So. |
Mesquite, Texas/Dr. John D. Horn |
2018 UMAC All-Conference Second Team Special Teams
| Pos. |
Name |
Team |
Yr. |
Hometown/High School |
| KR |
Devonta Preston |
MacMurray |
Sr. |
Bay Minette, Ala./Baldwin County |
| P |
Noah Sandoval |
MacMurray |
So. |
Pontiac, Ill./Pontiac Township |
| P |
Drew Shipley |
Minnesota Morris |
Jr. |
Couer d'Alene, Idaho/Lake City |
| PR |
Caleb Sieben |
Northwestern |
So. |
Anoka, Minn./Anoka |
2018 UMAC Football All-Sportsmanship Awards
Team Award – Northwestern
Crown – Luke Edlund, Sr., Crookston, Minn./Crookston
Greenville – Dalton Mitchell, So., Olney, Ill./Richland County
Iowa Wesleyan – Onius Heard, Jr., Hazel Green, Ala./Hazel Green
MacMurray – Ezechukwu Nwagbaraji, Sr., Springfield, Ill./Lanphier
Martin Luther – Andrew Ronholt, So., Port Orchard, Wash./Evergreen Lutheran
Minnesota Morris – Adam Keifer, Sr., Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury
Northwestern – Colton Paskewitz, Sr., Browerville, Minn./Staples
St. Scholastica – Jesse Lee, Sr., Ogilvie, Minn./Ogilvie
Westminster – Kalyn Davis, Sr., Kansas City, Mo./Lincoln College Prep