CLEVELAND, Ohio – A trio of North Dakota football players were named to the Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-American Teams on Friday.
Ben Buxa highlighted the team with first team accolades, while
Tyler Erkman and
Sawyer Seidl each picked up fourth team honors.
Ben Buxa, OL, R-Fr., Lake Mills, Wis., Phil Steele First Team Freshman All-American (OL)
Started all 12 games at center … With the help of his blocking, North Dakota ranks No. 13 in the FCS in red-zone scoring (89.6 percent), No. 20 in time of possession (31:32), No. 21 in third down conversion percentage (45.6 percent) and No. 25 in rushing offense (186.9 yards per game) … Helped UND pile up over 400 yards of offense three times, highlighted by 601 yards in the 72-35 win against Murray State … Named to the MVFC All-Newcomer Team.
Tyler Erkman, DB, R-Fr., Lake Zurich, Ill., Phil Steele Fourth Team Freshman All-American (DB)
Started 11 games at safety and appeared on special teams … Ties for No. 1 in the MVFC and No. 15 nationally in fumble recoveries (2) … Tied for third on the team in both interceptions (1) and pass breakups (3) … Sixth on the team in solo tackles (23) and eighth in total tackles (31.0) … Named the MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 30 after blocking a punt in the 72-35 win over Murray State.
Sawyer Seidl, RB, R-Fr., Hugo, Minn., Phil Steele Fourth Team Freshman All-American (All-Purpose)
Appeared in every game at running back and kick returner … Ranks No. 7 nationally and No. 2 in the MVFC in yards per kick return (28.5) … No. 4 in the conference in combined kick return yardage (484), No. 9 in all-purpose yards per game (92.7), No. 16 in rushing yards per game (44.9) and No. 19 in rushing yards (494) … Led UND in chunk plays with 17 plays of 20+ yards … Had 91 carries for 494 yards and three touchdowns … Averaged 5.4 yards per carry … Recorded his first 100-yard rushing game with 123 yards on the ground in the 41-24 win over San Diego … Named to the MVFC All-Newcomer Team.
For more information on North Dakota football, follow on social media @UNDfootball or visit FightingHawks.com.
