Five Oles earn first team All-MIAC football honors, eight named to second team

Mike Ludwig
November 22, 2011

ST. PAUL, Minn. - St. Olaf notched eight first team All-MIAC football selections and eight second team picks, the league announced on Tuesday.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Senior running back Leon Clark headlined the Oles' three first team offense honorees. Clark rushed for his third straight 1,000-yard season on the way to becoming the school's second-leading rusher all-time. He finished the year with 11 rushing touchdowns on 208 carries and 1,008 yards. He also caught 31 passes, which was third on the team.

Senior offensive lineman Garrett Dick was named first team after he led the St. Olaf line that propelled the Ole rushing and passing attack that allowed only 15 sacks.

Sophomore wide receiver Stephen Asp was one of four underclassmen named to the first team. Asp had nine touchdowns as a part of his 36-reception season.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
A pair of seniors -- Nick Brandjord and Brian Albrecht -- were named first team defense. Branjord was third on the team in tackles with 51 and had three interceptions to go with four pass breakups and 2.5 tackles for a loss. Albrecht had a team-best six sacks, 8.5 tackles for a loss and led the defense with four fumble recoveries.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Junior quaterback Dan Dobson was a second team selection after throwing for 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions this fall. Dobson, 14-6 as a starter in two seasons, completed 59.6 percent of his throws for 2,063 yards and led the MIAC in total offense this fall.

Sophomore Jake Schmiesing earned the honor after leading the team in receptions (37) and pulling in seven touchdowns.

Senior lineman Daine Jensch was also named to the second team.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Wes Lynch had 97 tackles this fall as one of three senior St. Olaf linebackers, with Drew Eid and Micah Johnson, named to the second team. Eid led the team with four interceptions and had two sacks and a fumble recovery to go with 4.5 tackles for a loss. Micah Johnson battled an injury to be named to the second team. In just six games, he had 37 tackles with five for a loss.

Two St. Olaf juniors were also named to the second team defense. Ben Dobson earned the honor after finishing second on the team in tackles with 57. He added three pass breakups and a pair of interceptions. Interior lineman Dustin Heiser was the Oles' other pick, finishing with 22 tackles, including three for a loss.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.