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Friday, November 21, 2014

Player News - Derek Schatz Nominated For Gene Upshaw Award

Senior center Derek Schatz has been named one of the candidates for the Gene Upshaw Award which is presented to the top lineman in Division II football. The award was created in 2004 by the Manheim Touchdown Club and is presented to the top junior or senior offensive or defensive lineman in Division II as selected by the sports information directors.


Derek Schatz is one of this year's captains (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Schatz was All-PSAC East first team as a junior and senior. Last season, when the Golden Rams advanced to the NCAA Division II semi-finals and finished 13-2, he was named second team Daktronics All-Super Region 1, first team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region One, and honorable mention Don Hansen Football Gazette All-American. Prior to this season, Schatz was named Preseason Beyond Sports Network All-PSAC, Preseason third team Beyond Sports Network All-American, Preseason second team Lindy's All-Division II, Preseason first team USA Football Network All-American, and Preseason first team Collegiate Development Football League All-American. Heading into Saturday's NCAA Division II first round playoff game versus Slippery Rock, the Golden Rams rank 25th in the country in total offense with 476 yards per game and 17th in scoring with almost 40 points per game.


Schatz has received numerous accolades (Photo Bert Garbutt)

The initial field of nominees narrows to two finalists from each region on November 24. Those eight names then comprise the national ballot. The overall winner will be announced on December 15. The annual winner has a standing invitation to the East/West Shrine Game and the NFLPA All-Star Game, which gives the winner an opportunity to play in front NFL coaches and scouts prior to the NFL Draft

The 16 candidates from Super Region I are:

Manheim Touchdown Club - Region 1 Ballot

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