Nebraska-Kearney's Matthies Named 2nd-Team All-America

Sixth Loper to Make this All-American Team, One of Three Players from the RMAC 

Kearney, Neb. - Nebraska-Kearney right tackle Orion Matthies has been voted to the 2010 Daktronics Division II All-American football team.

The 6-8, 330 lbs. Matthies (Overton) was selected to the second-team. Other RMAC players to make this squad were Colorado Mines defensive end Marc Schiechl (first-team) and Chadron State punter Kevin Berg (second-team).

The Daktronics All-America team, released December 14th, is voted on by sports information directors from around the nation. A player has to be named first-team all-region to make the national ballot and be eligible for All-American honors.

A four-year starter, Matthies was a unanimous All-RMAC pick this year and blocked for an offense that averaged 35 points and 445 yards per game.

Matthies becomes the sixth different Loper to earn Daktronics All-American honors, following nose guard Matt Bruggeman (1995), receiver/kick returner Mike Smith (1997), running back Mike Miller (2002), receiver Richie Ross (2003 & 2005) and center Jack Hiett (2009).

Central Missouri senior QB Eric Czerniewski was named the Offensive Player of the Year with Valdosta State (Ga.) linebacker Larry Dean being the Defensive Player of the Year.

In 2010, UNK went 9-2 (8-1 RMAC) and tied Colorado Mines for the RMAC title.

The complete team is attached. Daktronics is an acknowledged leader in scoring, timing and programmable display systems and is based out of Brookings, S.D.