CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa --- Wartburg College made it a clean sweep as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced its major awards for the 2014 football season. Junior quarterback
Logan Schrader (Kildeer, Ill. / Dunlap) has been named the IIAC Football Offensive Most Valuable Player, while senior defensive back
Spencer Capitani (Northwood, Iowa / Northwood-Kensett) has been named the IIAC Football Defensive Most Valuable Player. Wartburg head coach
Rick Willis has been named the IIAC Football Coach of the Year.
2014 Offensive Most Valuable Player – Logan Schrader, QB, Wartburg College
Schrader has directed the Knights to a 10-0 regular season, a second consecutive Iowa Conference title and a first-round NCAA Championship game with St. Thomas. Under his leadership, the Wartburg offense has set new school records for points in a season (453 and counting), total offense in a game (674 yards, Nov. 15 vs. Loras)
Through the air, he completed 155 of 241 passes for 2,574 yards and 27 touchdowns with only five interceptions. He led all regular IIAC signal callers in completion percentage (.643), tied Buena Vista’s Bobby Brown for the league lead in touchdown passes and ranked third behind Brown (2,894) and Coe’s Josh Rekers (2,590) in passing yardage despite throwing 80 fewer times than either player. He also led all IIAC quarterbacks with at least 50 attempts in passing efficiency (186.9). Schrader also ran the ball 62 times for 239 yards and four touchdowns and ranked second among IIAC players in total offense (281.3 ypg)
In league play, he threw for 1,663 yards, 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions while completing 65.0 percent (104-of-160) of his passes. He also ran for 124 yards and two touchdowns and ranked second in the league in total offense (255.3 ypg). Schrader threw for three or more touchdowns four times in conference play and was responsible for all six touchdowns – five passing, one rushing – in a 41-10 win at Simpson on Nov. 8. He also threw five touchdown passes against Wisconsin-Stout, a total that tied a school record.
Through the end of the regular season, Schrader ranks second in NCAA Division III in passing efficiency, third in passing yards per completion (16.61), 20th in passing touchdowns, 24th in points responsible for (186), 26th in completion percentage, 31st in points responsible for per game (18.6), 32nd in passing yards, 34th in total offense and 35th in passing yards per game (257.4).
Schrader, who has started 31 career games heading into this weekend’s NCAA first-round game against St. Thomas, has completed 418 of 687 passes for 5,822 yards, 50 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. His career passing efficiency sits at 149.4. On the ground, Schrader has 231 carries for 935 yards and nine touchdowns. He currently ranks fourth all-time at Wartburg in passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions and completion percentage and sixth in passing efficiency and passing yards per game. He also owns the Wartburg single-game record for passing yardage at 405 yards, set in 2012 against Central.
2014 Defensive Most Valuable Player – Spencer Capitani, CB, Wartburg College
Capitani, a two-time First Team All-Iowa Conference selection, was the key cog in a Knights defense that led all Iowa Conference schools in nearly every major defensive statistical area including scoring defense (11.6 points per game), total defense (257.0 ypg), rushing defense (120.8 ypg), passing defense (136.2 ypg) and ranked second in sacks (23) turnover margin (+3) and fifth in interceptions (9).
Capitani has made 31 tackles (20 solo) with 2.0 tackles for loss, one interception and nine pass break-ups in 10 games entering the NCAA Championship and is tied for eighth among IIAC players in passes defended. He has played in 37 career games, posting 156 tackles (107 solo), 20 tackles for loss, 33 pass break-ups, eight sacks and six interceptions. Capitani also ranks third on Wartburg’s all-time list in pass break-ups and 10th in punt returns.
Schrader and Capitani are the eighth and ninth different Wartburg players to be named an Iowa Conference MVP and the first since
Matt Wheeler in 1999. All previous honorees --
Murray McMurray (1968),
Connie Hellerich (1969),
Mike Ward (1982),
Scott Fritz (1983),
Gary Walljasper (1984),
Vince Penningroth (1995) and Wheeler – earned the single IIAC MVP honor given at the time.
2014 Iowa Conference Football Coach of the Year – Rick Willis, Wartburg College
Willis led the Knights to a 10-0 mark overall, the school’s second straight Iowa Conference title – and 14th title overall – and a berth in the 2014 NCAA Division III Football Championship. Under his guidance this year, Wartburg ranked among the top-three in the Conference in a number of statistical areas including leading the IIAC in scoring offense (48.1 points per game), scoring defense (12.1 ppg), total offense (484.7 yards per game), total defense (275.3 ypg), pass defense (137.9 ypg), pass efficiency (178.7), kickoff returns (21.9 ypa), punting (36.2 net yards per kick) and sacks (15) and ranking second in rushing offense (237.3 ypg), rushing defense (137.4 ypg), punt return average (10.9 ypa) and turnover margin (+6) and third in pass offense (247.4 ypg).
Nationally, the Knights ended the regular season ranked first in NCAA Division III in team passing efficiency (185.00), eighth in passing yards per completion (16.56), ninth in scoring offense (45.3 ppg) and scoring defense (11.6 ppg), 10th in passing yards allowed (136.2 ypg), 14th in third down conversion percentage (0.487) and 15th in total offense (488.3 ypg) and total defense (257.2 ypg).
Willis has now led Wartburg to eight Iowa Conference football titles, a number exceeded only by legendary Central coach Ron Schipper, who guided the Dutch to 15 crowns between 1964 and 1995.
This is the fourth Iowa Conference Football Coach of the Year honor for Willis, who in his 16th season directing the Knights program. He also won the award in 1999, 2010 and 2013 and is one of four Wartburg coaches to have won the award (Lee Bondhus, 1968; Don Canfield, 1982-83; Bob Nielson, 1993), accounting for eight total honors. Only Schipper (11) and former Buena Vista coach Jim Hershberger (five) were honored more times by their peers.
2014 All-Iowa Conference Football Team
The IIAC also announced today the 2014 All-Conference Football Team. The 56-member Team (there were two ties on the second team) includes 20 repeat All-Conference honorees, including Central senior placekicker
Kevin Sheldon, who becomes a four-time first-team all-conference selection. Wartburg junior punter
Grant Zimmerman, Central senior defensive back
Eric Larson and Buena Vista sophomore placekicker
Tyler Stolen each earned their third all-conference honor. Zimmerman was named to the first team after being a first-team pick in 2012 and a second-teamer a year ago. Larson was named to the second team this season. He was also a second-team pick in 2012 before moving up to the first team last season. Stolen was named to the second team as a punter after capturing first-team honors at both punter and placekicker a year ago.
Stolen and Simpson running back
Jordan Beem received both second team honors and honorable mention from the coaches. Stolen was the second-team punter and also received honorable mention as a placekicker. Beem was the second-team return specialist but also garnered enough support from the coaches to receive honorable mention at running back, his normal position.
Conference champion Wartburg dominated the team with a league-best 19 players selected All-Iowa Conference – 13 on the first team, six on the second team. Wartburg’s selections were also fairly evenly distributed on either side of the ball. There were eight on offense, nine on defense, a punter and a return specialist. Central followed with nine honorees, just ahead of Dubuque with eight. Buena Vista received six all-conference nods, Simpson five, Luther four, Coe three and Loras two.
~~ www.iowaconference.com ~~
| 2014 All-Iowa Conference Football |
| Offensive MVP - Logan Schrader, jr., QB, Wartburg |
| Defensive MVP - Spencer Capitani, sr., DB, Wartburg |
| Coach of the Year - Rick Willis, Wartburg |
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|
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| First Team - Offense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Bobby Brown & |
Buena Vista |
Sr. |
QB |
Storm Lake, Iowa / Storm Lake |
| Logan Schrader |
Wartburg |
Jr. |
QB |
Kildeer, Ill. / Dunlap |
| Dylan Barrett $ |
Buena Vista |
Sr. |
RB |
Harlan, Iowa / Harlan |
| Josh Osborn % ^ |
Central |
Sr. |
RB |
Burlington, Iowa / Burlington |
| Gunner Gilland |
Buena Vista |
Sr. |
WR |
Shelby, Iowa / AHST |
| Tyler Rutenbeck ^ |
Dubuque |
Sr. |
WR |
Maquoketa, Iowa / Maquoketa |
| Taylor Jacobsmeier ~ |
Wartburg |
Sr. |
WR |
Wapello, Iowa / Wapello |
| Chris Brinkmeier ^ |
Wartburg |
Sr. |
OL |
Orangeville, Ill. / Orangeville |
| Casey Krull & |
Wartburg |
Sr. |
OL |
Allison, Iowa / North Butler |
| Travis Munn |
Buena Vista |
Jr. |
OL |
Sioux City, Iowa / East |
| Corey Meyer & |
Simpson |
Jr. |
OL |
Iowa City, Iowa / West |
| Chase Wilhelms |
Wartburg |
Jr. |
OL |
Shannon, Ill. / Eastland |
| First Team - Defense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Jacob Edleman & |
Central |
Sr. |
DB |
Mechanicsville, Iowa / North Cedar |
| Spencer Capitani ^ |
Wartburg |
Sr. |
DB |
Northwood, Iowa / Northwood-Kensett |
| Oscar White |
Dubuque |
Jr. |
DB |
River Falls, Wis. / River Falls |
| Logan Pitz |
Wartburg |
Jr. |
DB |
Farley, Iowa / Western Dubuque |
| Miguel Lozan |
Wartburg |
Sr. |
DL |
Peoria, Ill. / Richwoods |
| Matt Schmitz |
Coe |
Sr. |
DL |
Jesup, Iowa / Union Community |
| Cole Hinders |
Wartburg |
Jr. |
DL |
Dysart, Iowa / Union Community |
| Will Tumberger |
Loras |
Sr. |
DL |
Mount Prospect, Ill. / St. Viator |
| Will Janssen |
Wartburg |
Jr. |
LB |
Mediapolis, Iowa / Mediapolis |
| Drew Kooi & |
Wartburg |
Sr. |
LB |
Minooka, Ill. / Minooka |
| Blaine Snitker ^ |
Dubuque |
Jr. |
LB |
Waukon, Iowa / Waukon |
| Brandon Abernathy |
Simpson |
Sr. |
LB |
Indianola, Iowa / Indianola |
| First Team - Specialists |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Kevin Sheldon ¥ # ^ |
Central |
Sr. |
PK |
West Des Moines, Iowa / Valley |
| Grant Zimmerman # & |
Wartburg |
Jr. |
P |
Mendota, Ill. / Mendota |
| Donald Miller & |
Wartburg |
Sr. |
RS |
Maywood, Ill. / Romeoville |
| Second Team - Offense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| JJ Sirios % |
Luther |
Sr. |
QB |
Keenesburg, Colo. / Weld Central |
| Josh Vos & |
Luther |
Sr. |
RB |
Morrison, Ill. / Morrison |
| Brandon Domeyer & |
Wartburg |
Jr. |
RB |
Manchester, Iowa / West Delaware |
| Adam Cave ^ |
Buena Vista |
Sr. |
WR |
Harlan, Iowa / Harlan |
| Chris Bagley |
Dubuque |
Jr. |
WR |
Oswego, Ill. / Oswego |
| Nate Even |
Loras |
Sr. |
WR |
Cedar Rapids, Iowa / Xavier |
| Robbie Anstoetter |
Wartburg |
Jr. |
WR |
Farley, Iowa / Dyersville Beckman |
| Ryan Collins |
Central |
Sr. |
OL |
Mesa, Ariz. / Red Mountain |
| Dominique Ravenell ^ |
Dubuque |
Sr. |
OL |
Fort Worth, Texas / RL Raschal |
| James Ostlie |
Luther |
So. |
OL |
Decorah, Iowa / Decorah |
| Blake Bergstrom |
Simpson |
Jr. |
OL |
Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny |
| Bjorn Nelson |
Wartburg |
Sr. |
OL |
Maplewood, Minn. / North St. Paul |
| Second Team - Defense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Eric Larson $ ^ |
Central |
Sr. |
DB |
Waverly, Iowa / Waverly-Shell Rock |
| Jacob Tune |
Central |
Sr. |
DB |
Mesa, Ariz. / Red Mountain |
| Dylan Stepleton |
Coe |
So. |
DB |
Tipton, Iowa / Wilton |
| Skylar Dierikx |
Wartburg |
Sr. |
DB |
Durant, Iowa / Durant |
| Nick Henry |
Central |
Sr. |
DL |
Solon, Iowa / Solon |
| Brody Janssen |
Central |
Sr. |
DL |
Quincy, Ill. / Quincy |
| Zack Marotta |
Dubuque |
Jr. |
DL |
Wayne, Ill. / South Elgin |
| Alex Severn |
Simpson |
Sr. |
DL |
Council Bluffs, Iowa / Treynor |
| Zach Twedt |
Wartburg |
Sr. |
DL |
Atkins, Iowa / Benton Community |
| Drew Carlson |
Central |
So. |
LB |
Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny |
| Mitch Berendes |
Coe |
Sr. |
LB |
Dubuque, Iowa / Hempstead |
| Trevor Stauner |
Dubuque |
Jr. |
LB |
South Milwaukee, Wis. / South Milwaukee |
| Aric Elton ~ |
Luther |
Jr. |
LB |
Spring Grove, Minn. / Spring Grove |
| Gunner Tranel |
Wartburg |
Jr. |
LB |
Vinton, Iowa / Vinton-Shellsburg |
| Second Team - Specialists |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Curtis Prull |
Dubuque |
Jr. |
PK |
Monticello, Iowa / Monticello |
| Tyler Stolen ^^ |
Buena Vista |
So. |
P |
Sioux City, Iowa / Heelan |
| Jordan Beem |
Simpson |
So. |
RS |
Altoona, Iowa / Southeast Polk |
| Honorable Mention |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Ben Seitz |
Buena Vista |
Jr. |
WR |
Mokane, Mo. / South Callaway R-II |
| Tyler Stolen ^^ |
Buena Vista |
So. |
PK |
Sioux City, Iowa / Heelan |
| Aaron Eiseler |
Central |
Sr. |
QB |
Mesa, Ariz. / Red Mountain |
| Sam Markham |
Central |
So. |
WR |
Atlantic, Iowa / Atlantic |
| Brendon Boerm |
Central |
Sr. |
WR |
Traer, Iowa / North Tama |
| Garrett Young |
Central |
Sr. |
OL |
Muscatine, Iowa / Muscatine |
| Jordan Youngman |
Central |
Sr. |
OL |
Pella, Iowa / Pella |
| Dylan Ramsey % |
Dubuque |
Sr. |
DB |
Urbana, Iowa / Center Point-Urbana |
| Tanner Bronkema |
Dubuque |
Jr. |
OL |
Forreston, Ill. / Forreston |
| Mike Murphy |
Dubuque |
Sr. |
OL |
Spring Green, Wis. / River Valley |
| Mike Canevello |
Loras |
Sr. |
DB |
McHenry, Ill. / McHenry |
| Maurice Young |
Loras |
Fr. |
DB |
North Chicago, Ill. / Zion-Benton Township |
| Calvin Harridge |
Loras |
So. |
LB |
Morrison, Ill. / Morrison |
| Luke Pulliam |
Luther |
Fr. |
DB |
Tracy, Calif. / Tracy |
| Sean Guerra |
Luther |
Jr. |
DL |
Parker, Colo. / Ponderosa |
| Matt Larson |
Luther |
Sr. |
LB |
Eagan, Minn. / Eastview |
| Tyler Moon |
Luther |
Jr. |
OL |
Sauk Rapids, Minn. / Sauk Rapids-Rice |
| Logan Klein |
Simpson |
Sr. |
P |
Sigourney, Iowa / Sigourney |
| Ryan Wagers |
Simpson |
Sr. |
DL |
Redfield, Iowa / West Central Valley |
| Jordan Beem |
Simpson |
So. |
RB |
Altoona, Iowa / Southeast Polk |
| Drew Jensen |
Simpson |
Fr. |
PK |
Indianola, Iowa / Indianola |
| Donald Miller & |
Wartburg |
Sr. |
WR |
Maywood, Ill. / Romeoville |
| Previous Honors |
| ^ - 2013 First Team All-Conference |
# - 2012 First Team All-Conference |
| & - 2013 Second Team All-Conference |
$ - 2012 Second Team All-Conference |
| ~ - 2013 Honorable Mention |
% - 2012 Honorable Mention |
| ¥ - 2011 First Team All-Conference |
