Full Release
DAYTON, Ohio - Four University of Dayton football players have been named to the 2012 University Division Capital One Academic All-District V First Team, it was announced today. The four selections match Northern Illinois for the most in District V, and match San Diego (in District VIII) for the most in the Pioneer Football League.
The four are safety Matt Bianco, running back Grant Huckestein, Flyer Joe Janasek and wide receiver Robert Strong.
The Capital One All-District team is the first step in selecting this year's Academic All-America team. Everyone named to the district first teams appears on the Capital One Academic All-America national ballot.
Bianco, a sophomore Pre-Med Major from Strongsville, Ohio, has 46 tackles despite missing two games with injuries. He also has an interception and a fumble recovery. In addition he leads the Flyers in kickoff return average (21.4 yards per return) and has returned five punts for 43 yards. He carries a 3.60 GPA.
Huckestein a sophomore running back from Pittsburgh, is one of six Flyer running backs who have gained at least 100 yards this season. He has played in five games, with 131 net yards (4.5 yard per carry average). A Mechanical Engineering major, he has a 3.76 grade point average.
Janasek is a senior from Solon, Ohio. He has a 3.55 grade point average in Pre-Physical Therapy. Despite being sidelined two games with injuries, he is second on the team in tackles (57) and quarterback hurries (3). He also has five tackles in the backfield and three pass breakups.
Strong, who was named the 2012 Andy Zulli Award winner last Saturday, moved from the secondary to slot receiver this season. He is tied for third at UD in receptions (20 for 178 yards, 8.9 avg.). A native of Detroit, he is a Chemical Engineering major with a 3.63 GPA.
The District V teams are made up of student-athletes from Division I-A and I-AA schools in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, along with a select number of Division II schools. To be nominated, student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve, and carry a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or higher. Team members are selected by a vote of members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) within the district.
The Dayton football program has produced 22 Academic All-Americans since the 2000 season. That's the most by any school at any level of college football, and includes the 2007 Division I ESPN The Magazine All-American of the Year, Brandon Cramer.
In the history of the Academic All-America program, UD football has had 52 Academic All-Americans. Among schools currently playing Division I football, only Nebraska (101), Penn State (59) and Notre Dame (55) have had more. UD has had at least one football player named an Academic All-American in 25 of the last 27 years. In all sports, Dayton has had at least one Academic All-American for 28 straight years.
UD has had nine student-athletes in three sports earn Capital One Academic All-District honors this fall. In addition to Bianco, Huckestein, Janasek and Strong in football, Juliana Libertin, Sarah Senoyuit and Colleen Williams in women’s soccer were recognized, and Flyer volleyball’s Megan Campbell and Rachael Krabacher were also honored.
Dayton (5-5, 4-3 PFL) plays at Marist Saturday at 12 noon ET to finish the 2012 regular season.
