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

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

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.

In addition to Burke and Jones, the other finalists at the 22nd annual Gagliardi Trophy ceremony were senior quarterback Michael Bates from Illinois College and junior quarterback Joe Callahan from Wesley College (Del.).

Burke helped Mount Union lead NCAA Division III with 619.2 total yards and 57.7 points per game during the regular season. Including the NCAA Division III Playoffs, Burke has completed 265 of 405 passes (65.4%) in 14 games this season for 4,089 yards and 49 touchdowns. He has thrown just five interceptions.

He also has rushed for 520 yards and 10 touchdowns. As the starting quarterback he has led the Purple Raiders to a 42-1 overall record. Mount Union won the NCAA Division III title in 2012 and was the runner-up in 2013. The Purple Raiders will play University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in this year's Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl on Friday, Dec. 19 in Salem, Va.

Burke was named Second Team Capital One Academic All-America this season. He is a Business Administration major and he has volunteered with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Mount Union Relay for Life. He is the first two-time winner of the Gagliardi Trophy, which honors the most outstanding player in NCAA Division III.

Jones was a strong candidate for this year's trophy. He rushed for a Willamette record 1,599 yards on 237 carries this fall and led NCAA Division III with 177.7 rushing yards per game. He scored 18 rushing touchdowns to rank fifth in Division III in scoring with 12.0 points per game.

"Dylan had an amazing year and what he accomplished this season will be very difficult to match," Willamette Head Coach Glen Fowles said. "Being recognized as one of the best football players in the country is an honor and our football team couldn't be more proud of him. He epitomizes what is great in college athletics."

This season, Jones rushed for over 120 yards in all nine games played by the Bearcats. He gained more than 160 yards in five games, including a school record 350 yards against Whitworth University on Oct. 11.

Jones also set a Willamette record with a 98-yard rushing touchdown against Linfield College in a 31-28 victory for the Bearcats on Nov. 1. He was named NWC Offensive Player of the Year and received First Team All-NWC honors.

During his career with the Bearcats, Jones carried the 484 times for 2,857 yards, as he finished just two yards short of the school record. He scored 34 career rushing touchdowns and also recorded two touchdowns on pass receptions. He scored 216 career point.

In addition to competing in football, Jones is an Environmental Sciences major and has received the Whipple Family Scholarship. This past summer, he completed an internship with the City of Salem that involved maintaining the streams that run through the city.

His internship inspired his senior thesis about differences in water quality between high-income and low-income areas. Jones has participated with the football team in the United Way Days of Caring the past four years. During two of his years at Willamette, he helped students move into their dorm rooms prior to the start of the fall semester.

Willamette achieved a 5-4 record this season, including 3-4 in the NWC. Jones helped the Bearcats average 258.9 rushing yards per game to rank 15th in NCAA Division III. Willamette gained 413.4 total yards per game and scored 31.9 points per contest.

The Gagliardi Trophy is sponsored by Jostens and the J-Club of St. John's University of Minnesota. The award is named after John Gagliardi, long-time head coach at St. John's, who achieved 489 career victories, the most in college football history. The award honors football excellence as well as academic success and community service.