All-GPAC
First Team
Lane Napier
Second Team
Ryan Durdon
Kordell Glause
Honorable Mention
Vince Beasley
Grady Koch
Derek Tachovsky
Zac Walter
SEWARD, Neb. – Sophomore linebacker Lane Napier has made it two-for-two in terms of first team all-conference accolades in his career. The tackling machine headlined the group of seven Concordia University football players to earn some form of All-GPAC recognition, as announced by the conference on Tuesday (Nov. 13). Junior running back Ryan Durdon and senior safety Kordell Glause both landed on the second team.
Another four Bulldogs garnered honorable mention status: senior receiver Vince Beasley, junior linebackers Zac Walter and Derek Tachovsky and senior offensive tackle Grady Koch.
The two-time first team all-conference Napier led all NAIA players during the regular season with 142 tackles (average of 14.2 per game). That figure is a program GPAC era (2000-present) record. The David City, Neb., native also paced the team in tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (four). Napier added a forced fumble and a blocked extra point. Napier notched double figures in tackles eight times this season with a high of 22 at Morningside. After making 21 tackles in the win at Jamestown, Napier picked up the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week award. He has already recorded 239 tackles through his first 20 career collegiate games.
Durdon (Decatur, Texas) again served as the team’s biggest offensive threat. He amassed 1,439 all-purpose yards while making an impact in the passing game and as a kick returner. Behind a youthful offensive line, Durdon rushed for 821 yards and eight touchdowns. He caught 19 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown and totaled 371 yards on 11 kick returns (33.7 average). Durdon was tabbed the GPAC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 250 yards and two touchdowns in the season opening win over Buena Vista University (Iowa). Also a second team all-conference choice as a sophomore, Durdon ranks sixth in program history for career rushing yards (2,068).
Glause, who hails from Palmer, Neb., earned a great deal of respect throughout his career for playing through injury and by making an in-season shift this fall from linebacker to safety. The three-year starter who earned honorable mention all-conference accolades last season made 58 tackles, including five for loss and three sacks in 2018. His lone interception sealed the victory over Dakota Wesleyan. Glause forced a fumble and recovered one this fall. Over his career, Glause finished with 146 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks and two interceptions.
Beasley (Manvel, Texas) emerged as the go-to receiver this season. He snagged 46 receptions for 559 yards and three touchdowns in 2018. His biggest performance came against No. 5 Northwestern, which he burned by making nine grabs for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Walter (Lincoln, Kan.) and Tachovsky (Wilber, Neb.) were stalwarts for a strong linebacker crew. Walter posted 80 tackles, eight stops for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble. Tachovsky racked up 81 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Koch’s honorable mention nod was an ode to his leadership and career contributions. Unfortunately, injuries limited the Doniphan, Neb., native to three games played this season. The offense produced its two best yardage outputs in games that Koch started.