Football News
Releases
Access
the News Release archive
MOUNT VERNON — Cornell senior middle linebacker Chris Gustafson (Lakewood, Colo.) continues to pile up postseason accolades as he was named to the D3football.com All-America Second Team, announced Saturday in conjunction with the NCAA Division III National Championship game in Salem, Va.
 Gustafson is Cornell’s first football All-American since Matt Ditch in 2003. Gustafson is the first Ram ever selected to the ninth annual D3football.com All-America Team.
Gustafson was one of four Iowa Conference players honored on D3football.com’s first three teams, including Luther offensive lineman Jon Stavast (first team), Central linebacker Greg Altmaier (third team) and Central corner back Guy Dierikx (third team). Receiving honorable mention honors were Central quarterback Tim Connell, Luther running back Tyler Sherden and Coe return man Tom Breitbach.
Gustafson capped a record-breaking career this past season with 135 tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss, six pass breakups, four blocked kicks, two forced fumbles and one sack in 10 games for the Rams (2-8 overall, 0-8 IIAC). The 6-foot, 243-pound Gustafson led the team in tackles for the third consecutive season and ranked in the top 10 in Division III in solo tackles per game (7th, 7.3), total tackles per game (10th, 13.5) and tackles-for-loss per game (10th, 2.0).
Gustafson set school records for solo tackles in a game (14, at Central, Oct. 27, 2007), tackles-for-loss in a season (20.0, 2007) and solo tackles in a career (219, 2004-07). His 472 total tackles rank second on Cornell’s career list, behind John Crane’s 481 stops from 1998-2001). Gustafson registered at least 10 tackles in his final 17 games and 33 times during his career.
This has been a rewarding postseason for Gustafson. He was named to the All-IIAC First Team, D3football.com All-West Region First Team and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team.
Gustafson, a 2003 graduate of Bear Creek High School, is the son of Julie and Larry Gustafson, Lakewood, Colo.
|
