December 27, 2013

BLUFFTON, Ohio - Bluffton University linebacker Josh Runda (Lima/Bath) was recently named Third Team All-Ohio by OhioCollegeFootball.com for Division 3. It marks the second straight season that Runda has been honored as a Third Team All-Ohio selection. Ben Kaufman was a third team selection a year ago with Runda and they followed in the footsteps of Justin Crosier who was a Second Team All-Ohio selection for 2011. Runda is the first two-time honoree for the Beavers.

After moving into the starting lineup as a junior, Josh Runda has been one of the most dominating linebackers in the conference. Runda spearheaded the Bluffton defense with 118 tackles (4th all-time) which placed him 3rd in the Heartland Conference after racking up 98 stops a year ago. His 70 solo stops this season also established a new school mark, topping Sam McCullough who racked up 60 unassisted tackles in 2007. A starting catcher early in his time at Bluffton, Runda was tabbed a first team selection after picking up second team honors as a junior. He was third in the HCAC with 16 tackles-for-a-loss (3rd all-time at Bluffton) and he also recorded three sacks, three pass breakups and four quarterback hurries. His three fumbles forced were 3rd in the HCAC and he recovered a fumble as well.

Runda's 274 career tackles leave him 4th all-time for the Beavers. In addition, Runda finished with six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, an interception and six breakups. He was named the HCAC Defensive Player of the Week following a 16-tackle performance against #9 Franklin College.

Bluffton finished 4-6 overall and 4-4 in the Heartland Conference after sweeping its last three games, including a stunning upset of #9 Franklin College that kept the Grizzlies from completing four straight years of undefeated play in the Heartland Conference. The Beavers followed that win up with their fourth straight 'Hammer' at Defiance, sending the Bluffton seniors out with a perfect 4-0 mark against the rival Yellow Jackets. Full statistics and information on the 2013 football season are available online at www.blufftonbeavers.com/football.

-BEAVERS-