Schiechl named to AP Little All-America Team

GOLDEN, Colo. (Dec. 16, 2010) – Colorado School of Mines’ Marc Schiechl has been named to the 2010 AP Little All-America Team, as announced today by the Associated Press.

A 6’3”, 260-lb. senior defensive lineman from Lakewood, Colo. (Bear Creek High School), Schiechl earned First Team honors on the AP Little All-America Team.  Schiechl also garnered All-American recognition from Daktronics (First Team) and the America Football Coaches Association (AFCA) earlier this week.

The AP Little All-America Team is comprised of players from the NCAA Division II and III, as well as NAIA, levels of competition.

Schiechl, who finished as the runner-up for the 2010 Gene Upshaw NCAA Division II Lineman of the Year Award, has accepted an invitation to play in the 2011 Cactus Bowl (annual NCAA Division II all-star football game) on January 7th in Kingsville, Texas.  Selected as the Daktronics Super Region #3 Defensive Player of the Year, Schiechl also earned Daktronics Super Region #3 First Team Defense recognition, collecting the most votes among defensive linemen.  A First Team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference pick (lone unanimous selection on defense) in 2010, Schiechl was also named RMAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Schiechl became the all-time NCAA Division II career leader in sacks (46.0) during the 2010 season and concluded his career at CSM ranked fourth in the NCAA Division II record book in career tackles for a loss (70.5).  Schiechl led the RMAC and is currently tied for fifth in the nation in sacks (12.0).  The RMAC leader in tackles for a loss this season (19.0), Schiechl finished atop the RMAC and is currently ranked third in the nation in forced fumbles (six).  Schiechl, who concluded the year with 66 total tackles (34 solo), five quarterback hurries and two blocked kicks, is currently ranked third in the nation in forced fumbles per game (0.50) and sixth in the country in sacks per game (tied – 1.00).

CSM (9-3 overall, 8-1 RMAC) qualified for the NCAA Division II football championships for the second time in program history in 2010.  The Orediggers, who had 18 players earn All-RMAC honors, were 2010 RMAC Co-Champions.  CSM was ranked as high as #16 in the nation this season.