Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Dec. 19, 2024 - North Central College senior quarterback Luke Lehnen has been selected as one of five finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, presented by Stearns Bank, the premier individual award in NCAA Division III Football. Stearns Bank and the J-Club of Saint John's University (Minnesota), which present the Gagliardi Trophy, announced the finalists for the 31st annual award on Thursday in a live online broadcast by D3football.com.
(Click HERE to view the full announcement broadcast)
Lehnen, who was announced as the inaugural Associated Press Division III National Offensive Player of the Year earlier Thursday, is the reigning Gagliardi Trophy honoree, having received the award last season prior to the Division III National Championship game, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, in Salem, Virginia. Lehnen leads all Division III players this season in passing efficiency (213.4), yards per pass (11.7) and yards per completion (16.9) while pacing the CCIW in passing touchdowns (31) and rushing touchdowns (12). Lehnen has been named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year and the D3football.com Region 5 Offensive Player of the Year, receiving each distinction for the second time.
A 2023 North Central graduate with a bachelor's degree in exercise science and master's degree candidate in sports leadership, Lehnen's selection puts a Cardinal among the Gagliardi finalists for the sixth straight season and the eighth time overall. North Central student-athletes won the Gagliardi Trophy in 2019 (quarterback Broc Rutter) and 2022 (running back Ethan Greenfield) before Lehnen lifted the trophy last year. North Central's three Gagliardi Trophy honorees rank third nationally behind the University of Mount Union (7) and Saint John's (4).
In 2023, Lehnen a new all-divisions collegiate record for single-season passing efficiency (263.2) while establishing Division III records for yards per completion (20.0) and yards per pass (14.7). As a senior, Lehnen enters Saturday's Division III national semifinal against Susquehanna University as the all-division collegiate career leader in touchdowns responsible for (203) and the Division III all-time leader in total offensive yards (15,327). In 13 games, Lehnen has completed 164 of 240 passes (67.5 percent) for 2,685 yards and 35 touchdowns. The Cardinals' career rushing leader among quarterbacks (3,242) has gained 894 yards on the ground in just 77 attempts (11.6 per rush) and now ranks second in North Central's history in rushing touchdowns (49).
The Gagliardi Trophy national-selection committee is comprised of 18 Division III coaches (three from each NCAA Region), six Division III administrators (one from each region), 12 regional notable voters (two from each region) and six national voters with Division III backgrounds. A fan vote, which runs until Dec. 13, will be live soon on D3football.com. No J-Club members vote as part of the national-selection committee.
Other finalists are Cortland (New York) quarterback Zac Boyes, Illinois College quarterback Destin Chance, Carnegie Mellon University (Pennsylvania) linebacker Robert Coury, and Saint John's quarterback Aaron Syverson.
The 2024 Gagliardi Trophy winner will be revealed on D3football.com on the evening of Friday, Jan. 3 prior to the Division III championship game, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, Jan. 5 at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas.
The No. 1-ranked Cardinals (13-0) host the sixth-ranked River Hawks (12-1) with a spot in the Stagg Bowl on the line Saturday. Kickoff at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. with a live broadcast to be provided by ESPN+ (subscription required). Click HERE for links to live coverage.
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