Posted: Nov 16, 2006
November 16, 2006
| BLUFFTON, Ohio - Ten Bluffton University football players were honored by the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference for their work on the gridiron during the 2006 season. The honorees were selected by the Heartland Conference coaches following the completion of the regular season. Bluffton ended the year with a 3-7 record, including a 2-5 mark in the HCAC. |
| Three Beavers were named to the first team for their outstanding play in 2006. For the third consecutive year, cornerback Jeremy Anderson (South Rockwood, Mich./Airport) was tabbed as a first team selection. Anderson finished the season with 43 total tackles, including 32 solos. He recorded 2.5 tackles for a loss and one quarterback sack for a loss of 12 yards. Matching up with opponents' best receivers, Anderson broke up six passes to lead the Bluffton secondary. |
| Junior linebacker Sam McCullough (Bluffton/Bluffton) earned his second straight first team All-HCAC honor in 2006. He ended the season with 115 tackles, placing second in the Heartland Conference in that category after recording an HCAC-leading 111 stops a year ago. McCullough tallied 6.5 tackles for a loss, including two sacks. For the year, he forced two fumbles and picked off two passes while also breaking up one pass attempt. McCullough was named HCAC defensive Player of the Week following a 17-tackle performance in Bluffton's 7-6 loss to Hanover. |
| After being named honorable mention All-HCAC in 2005, sophomore defensive end Kyle Rode (Delphos/Jefferson) moved up to first team for his play in 2006. Rode put together 41 tackles, including 21 solos. He tallied 8.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage, including a team-high five sacks for a loss of 47 yards. Rode broke up four passes, forced a fumble and blocked a punt for the Beavers. |
| Senior defensive tackle Bryan Lloyd (Elida/Bath) was honored by the HCAC for the fourth consecutive year. Lloyd finished his career by being named to the second team for the second straight year after his first two years when he was named honorable mention All-HCAC. Lloyd finished the season with 45 tackles, the second-most by a Beaver lineman. He led the team with nine tackles for a loss, including four sacks for 21 yards. Lloyd broke up two passes and forced a fumble in 2006. |
| Senior James Fay (Cairo/Bath) picked up his second consecutive second team All-HCAC honor after being named honorable mention as a sophomore. Fay moved to left tackle after three years as the starting center for the Beavers. He anchored the offensive line for Bluffton in 2006. |
| Junior Taylor Iceman (Lucas.Lucas) was named second team All-HCAC for the first time in 2006. He was the second-leading tackler for the Beavers with 84 stops, including 29 solos. He ended the season with three game-saving interceptions and five breakups as he led the Bluffton secondary from his safety position. |
| Senior defensive tackle Kurt Albers (New Bremen/New Bremen) also picked up his first All-HCAC honor in 2006. A second team selection, Albers fashioned 29 tackles, including six which went for losses. He broke up three passes and had one quarterback sack for the Beavers. |
| Fifth-year senior quarterback Jared Owens (Van Wert/Crestview) was named All-HCAC for the third time in his career. In 2003 and 2005, Owens earned second team All-HCAC honors. Following his final season, Owens was selected honorable mention. He completed 108 of his 209 passing attempts for 1,055 yards and seven touchdowns, while also rushing for 451 yards and three touchdowns. Owens was forced to miss the final game of the season with a cracked rib which was sustained in Bluffton's 17-0 loss to nationally ranked Mount St. Joseph. |
| Senior cornerback Erick Buddin (Ypsilanti, Mich./Ypsilanti) was rewarded for his efforts on the field in 2006. An honorable mention selection, Buddin tallied 50 tackles, including 30 solos, in only his second season as a Beaver. Buddin intercepted two passes for 58 yards and broke up three more attempts for the season. |
| In his final season at Bluffton, senior defensive end Tyler Schwab (Medina/Medina) earned his first honorable mention All-HCAC award. Schwab led all Beaver linemen with 50 tackles, including two quarterback sacks. He recovered two fumbles and broke up one pass during the 2006 campaign. |