2014-15 Football News

Season
Five Bearcats Qualify for Hampshire Honor Society
Five Bearcats Qualify for Hampshire Honor Society

SALEM, ORE. -- Five Willamette University football players have been chosen for the ninth annual class of the Hampshire Honor Society, sponsored by the National Football Foundation. The Hampshire Honor Society recognizes college football players from all divisions who are seniors and have maintained at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average during their collegiate careers.

Willamette Announces Football Schedule for 2015
Willamette Announces Football Schedule for 2015

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University football team has announced its schedule for the 2015 season. Willamette will play nine regular season games, with the Bearcats playing five home games at McCulloch Stadium.

Nelson Chosen First Team All-America, Jones is Selected for Second Team
Nelson Chosen First Team All-America, Jones is Selected for Second Team

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior inside linebacker Jack Nelson (Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) has been named First Team All-America, and senior running back Dylan Jones (Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) was chosen Second Team All-America, as selected by D3football.com. Both athletes were previously named First Team All-West Region.

Mount Union's Kevin Burke Wins Gagliardi Trophy for Second Year in a Row
Mount Union's Kevin Burke Wins Gagliardi Trophy for Second Year in a Row

SALEM, VA. -- University of Mount Union senior quarterback Kevin Burke received the Gagliardi Trophy for the second consecutive season during a banquet honoring the award's four finalists on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Willamette University running back Dylan Jones (Sr., Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) was one of the finalists.

Nelson Selected Cliff Harris Award Finalist for Second Year in a Row
Nelson Selected Cliff Harris Award Finalist for Second Year in a Row

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University inside linebacker Jack Nelson (Sr., Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) has been selected as a finalist for the 2014 Cliff Harris Award, presented to the nation's top small college defensive player. The 70 finalists include 18 players from NCAA Division III, 38 from NCAA Division II, and 14 from the NAIA.

Jones Chosen as One of Four Finalists for Gagliardi Trophy
Jones Chosen as One of Four Finalists for Gagliardi Trophy

COLLEGEVILLE, MINN. -- Willamette University senior running back Dylan Jones (Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) has been chosen as one of four finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, which is presented each year to the most outstanding player in NCAA Division III. The award has been given out annually since 1993.

Jones and Nelson are Named First Team All-West Region
Jones and Nelson are Named First Team All-West Region

SALEM, ORE. -- Senior running back Dylan Jones (Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) and senior inside linebacker Jack Nelson (Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) from Willamette University have been named First Team All-West Region for the 2014 season by D3football.com.

Nelson Selected First Team Capital One Academic All-America
Nelson Selected First Team Capital One Academic All-America

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University inside linebacker Jack Nelson (Sr., Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) has been selected First Team Capital One Academic All-America in football for NCAA Division III as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Nelson is majoring in Economics and has earned a 3.83 cumulative grade point average.

Jones Selected Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year
Jones Selected Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year

SALEM, ORE. -- Senior running back Dylan Jones (Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) from Willamette University has been named Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year in voting by the NWC head coaches. Jones and two other Bearcats were named First Team All-NWC, while five Bearcats were selected for Second Team All-NWC honors.

Jones Selected as Gagliardi Trophy Semifinalist
Jones Selected as Gagliardi Trophy Semifinalist

COLLEGEVILLE, MINN. -- Willamette University running back Dylan Jones (Sr., Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) has been selected as one of 10 semifinalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, which is presented each year to the most outstanding player in NCAA Division III. The award has been given out annually since 1993.

Jones Chosen NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week
Jones Chosen NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week

SALEM, ORE. -- Running back Dylan Jones (Sr., Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) of Willamette University has been selected Northwest Conference Football Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts against the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Nov. 15. Jones has received the Student-Athlete of the Week honor three times this year.

Puget Sound Forces Five Turnovers, Defeats Bearcats, 27-14
Puget Sound Forces Five Turnovers, Defeats Bearcats, 27-14

SALEM, ORE. -- University of Puget Sound built a 21-0 halftime lead and forced five turnovers during the game, on its way to a 27-14 victory over Willamette University at McCulloch Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15. Puget Sound quarterback Braden Foley completed 23 of 39 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Loggers.

Nelson Named Capital One Academic All-District VIII for Second Time
Nelson Named Capital One Academic All-District VIII for Second Time

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University inside linebacker Jack Nelson (Sr., Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) has been named First Team Capital One Academic All-District VIII for NCAA Division III in voting by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). It is the second consecutive year that Nelson has been chosen for the Academic All-District Team.

Jones Sets Season Rushing Record, but Pacific Outscores Bearcats, 41-24
Jones Sets Season Rushing Record, but Pacific Outscores Bearcats, 41-24

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Dylan Jones (Sr., RB, Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) of Willamette University rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns, while setting the school record for rushing yards in a season, but Pacific University outscored the Bearcats, 41-24, in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Bearcats Set to Play First Place Boxers in NWC Battle
Bearcats Set to Play First Place Boxers in NWC Battle

SALEM, ORE. -- For the second week in a row, the Willamette University football team will take on a team that is undefeated in the Northwest Conference when the Bearcats battle the Pacific University Boxers on Saturday, Nov. 8. The Boxers are 5-2 on the season, but are 5-0 in the NWC. Willamette, also 5-2 overall, is 3-2 in the NWC.

Jones Selected as NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week
Jones Selected as NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior running back Dylan Jones (Sr., RB, Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) has been named Northwest Conference Football Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in Willamette's 31-28 win over #5-ranked Linfield College on Nov. 1. It is the second time Jones has received the award this season.