Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Nov. 21, 2017 - North Central College senior running back Austin Breunig has been selected as one of 10 semifinalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, the premier individual award in NCAA Division III Football. Jostens and the J-Club of Saint John's University (Minnesota), which present the Gagliardi Trophy, announced the semifinalists for the 25th annual award on Monday.
Breunig, who was named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Offensive Player of the Year last week, is the fourth North Central player to advance to the semifinal stage of the award process and the first since defensive lineman Peter Bulandr '13 in 2012. Breunig has rushed for 1,266 yards and 15 touchdowns this season and has already broken the Cardinals' single-season records for all-purpose yards (1,686), total touchdowns (19) and points scored (114). In North Central's eight conference games, Breunig compiled CCIW-leading totals for rushing yards (1,023) and all-purpose yards (1,325) while tying the conference's all-time record for points scored (102). He has scored 218 points in conference play during his career, the CCIW's eighth-highest total all-time. He earned All-CCIW honors for the third time.
An athletic training major, Breunig is also on track for his fourth straight Academic All-CCIW distinction and has made the Dean's List at North Central three times. He has volunteered numerous times with Feed My Starving Children and participated in service events to benefit Special Olympics hosted on North Central's campus as part of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Nominations were submitted by colleges across the country, and the final 10 were selected by the J-Club Board of Directors. The Gagliardi Trophy national-selection committee is comprised of 40 former small-college football players, former Gagliardi Trophy recipients, business leaders, academicians and sports writers from around the country. Each casts a ballot ranking the 10 semifinalists. A fan vote, which will serve as the 41st committee member, will be launched on D3football.com Nov. 21 and run until Monday, Dec. 4.
Other semifinalists are Wesley College (Delaware) offensive lineman Matt Gono, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse wide receiver Nick Holcomb, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh quarterback Brett Kasper, East Texas Baptist University linebacker Ty Parsons, Wartburg College (Iowa) quarterback Matt Sacia, Husson University (Maine) running back John Smith, Springfield College (Massachusetts) fullback Jordan WIlcox, Trine University (Indiana) quarterback Evan Wyse and Washington & Jefferson College (Pennsylvania) wide receiver Jesse Zubik.
The 25th Gagliardi Trophy will be presented on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Salem, Virginia, at a banquet kicking off the Division III championship weekend, which culminates in the Stagg Bowl on Friday, Dec. 15.The four finalists, who will be announced Dec. 5, will be on hand for the announcement of the winner and presentation of the trophy at the banquet.
North Central (10-1) travels to face Wisconsin-Oshkosh (11-0) in the second round of the NCAA Division III Football Championship on Saturday. Kickoff at Titan Stadium is scheduled for 12:00 noon.
