Eight Bulldogs named USA College Football Preseason All-Americans
SEWARD, Neb. – A total of eight Bulldogs have received 2015 preseason All-America recognition from USA College Football. The list of honorees, presented by American Football Networks, includes 350 of the top returning players among the 86 NAIA institutions that sponsor varsity football.
Both running back Bryce Collins and kicker Adam Meirose garnered preseason first team All-America accolades following first team all-conference seasons in 2014. Concordia placed three representatives on the second team: tight end Seth Fitzke, receiver Jared Garcia and defensive back Tarence Roby. Honorable mention went to another trio of Bulldogs: offensive lineman Ben Balduc, punter Sandy Fisher and defensive lineman Michael Gill.
Last season Collins became the fifth running back in program history to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing. He completed his sophomore campaign with 1,559 all-purpose yards and has 19 career touchdowns in his two seasons as a Bulldog. A standout kicker, Meirose nailed 6 of 8 field goal attempts and 40 of 42 extra point attempts while breaking his own program single-season record for made point-after tries.
Garcia broke a school record of his own in hauling in 11 touchdown catches in his first season at Concordia. He reeled in 44 passes for 650 yards. At tight end, Fitzke caught 15 balls for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Roby totaled 51 tackles and five interceptions and also scored touchdowns on a 46-yard fumble return and 90-yard kickoff return.
Balduc started at left guard in 2014 and is the lone returning starter on the offensive line. Meanwhile, Gill piled up 64 tackles (9.0 for loss) and 4.5 sacks and Fisher averaged 37.5 yards on 51 punts last year.
2015 USA College Football NAIA Preseason All-Americans
OL Ben Balduc (honorable mention)
RB Bryce Collins (first team)
P Sandy Fisher (honorable mention)
TE Seth Fitzke (second team)
WR Jared Garcia (second team)
DL Michael Gill (honorable mention)
K Adam Meirose (first team)
DB Tarence Roby (second team)