SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Five players from The University of South Dakota football team have been named first team All-NCC, as the league announced its league honors today. In an announcement that was released today from the conference office in Sioux Falls, S.D., USD had 16 players honored by the North Central Conference. The all-conference team was selected by all nine head coaches from the league.

South Dakota's offense was responsible for four of the five first team members. Running back Amos Allen, wide receiver Brooks Little, center Christian Morton and left tackle Tim Schneider were all named All-NCC first team. Outside linebacker Justiss Scales was the team's lone first team selection on defense.

Inside linebacker Tyler Bergan, defensive end Zach Johnson, kicker Frank Leibfarth, defensive end John Morales, punter Tim Stanek and right guard Nick Walters were all named All-NCC second team. Tight end David Cronin, corner back Isaiah Dixon, inside linebacker Blake Hojer, quarterback Noah Shepard and corner back T.J. Simmons were all named honorable mention All-NCC.

In his only season at USD, Allen (Sr., Miami, Fla.) left a lasting impression on the program. In the team's season finale against North Dakota, he set the Coyote single game record by rushing for 306 yards on 32 carries while also scoring two touchdowns. He broke the record which was set by Stefan Logan who ran for 295 yards against Truman State in 2005. The performance marked the fourth time this season Allen ran for 200 or more yards in a game. The 306 yards rushing also helped Allen break USD's single season rushing record. He finished the season with 1,961 rushing yards, surpassing Jamel White's 1999 total of 1,796 yards. In addition to the records that were broke, the performance also gave Allen the regular season rushing title in NCAA Division II. He edged out Shepherd's Dervon Wallace by nine yards for the title. For the season, Allen finished with 17 touchdowns (15 rushing, 2 receiving), 102 points and 2,137 all purpose yards, all of which rank high in USD single season history. His 17 touchdowns are tied for the third most, his 15 rushing touchdowns are the third and his 2,137 all purpose yards are the fourth most in single season history.

Little (Sr., Castlewood, S.D.) finished his career at South Dakota as one of the best receivers in school history. He broke Chris Mikkelsen's (150 catches, 2001-04) school's career record for reception with 166 catches in his career. Little broke the school record in the homecoming game against Western Washington when he hauled in a 51-yard pass for a touchdown. In addition to his school record for receptions, Little also finished his career second in receiving yards with 2,395 yards and tied for second in career receiving touchdowns with 16. Little finished the season with 51 catches for 775 yards and five touchdowns.

Thanks to the performances by Morton (Sr., Norfolk, Neb.) and Schneider (Sr., Adams, Minn.) on the offensive line, the USD offense was able to rank as one of the best units in the nation. The Coyotes finished the regular season as the 9th ranked team in total offense (496.2 ypg), 8th in rushing (263.5 ypg) and 41st in scoring offense (31.4 ppg) in NCAA Division II. Additionally, USD allowed just 16 sacks on the season, which ranked them 35th in the nation. Morton, who was one of seven repeat first team selections, finished the season without allowing a sack while Schneider allowed just two.

On the defensive side of the ball, Scales (Sr., Columbus, Ohio) proved to be the Coyotes biggest play maker on the season. He was tied for fourth on the team in tackles with 54, was second on the team in tackles for loss (9.0 for 50 yards), had 4.0 sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery, and forced fumble and a blocked punt.

Bergan (Sr., Grinnell, Iowa) finished the season second on the team in tackles. His 77 tackles on the season was second on the team and eighth in the NCC. He also recorded 8.0 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Bergan had double-digit tackles in USD's final two games against Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota.

Johnson (Sr., Brookings, S.D.) finished the season second on the team with 5.0 sacks and 30 tackles. He also added 8.0 tackles for loss. Johnson's best game of the season came against arguably USD's toughest opponent. Against NCAA Division I FCS McNeese State, he recorded two sacks, four tackles and a forced fumble.

With his 75 points on the season, Leibfarth (Sr., Yankton, S.D.) finished his career tied for the USD career record for points scored. He tied Jason Leber's (1993-96) record of 236 career points. Leibfarth made 12 field goals this season and was a perfect 39-of-39 on extra point attempts. Against Winona State this season, he made a career-best 52-yard field goal. It was two yards shy of the USD record for longest field goal.

Morales (Sr., Martinez, Calif.) finished the season as the leader in tackles for loss and was third in sacks in the NCC. In 11 games this season, he recorded 19.5 tackles for loss of 80 yards and had 7.0 sacks. He was tied for third on the team with 54 tackles while also recording three pass deflections, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

In his first season at South Dakota, Stanek (So., Walthill, Neb.) quickly established himself as one of the top punters in the league. His 40.1 yard average was second in the conference. He had a long punt of 56 yards and placed 11 punts inside the opponents 20 yard line.

With Walters (Sr., Parkersburg, Iowa) being named to the All-NCC second team, only USD and Nebraska-Omaha had three offensive lineman named to the first and second team. Walter allowed just two sacks on the season and was also a key member in the Coyotes high ranked offense. The Coyotes finished the regular season as the 9th ranked team in total offense (496.2 ypg), 8th in rushing (263.5 ypg) and 41st in scoring offense (31.4 ppg) in NCAA Division II.

Cronin (Sr., Holstein, Iowa) recorded five catches for 40 yards in 11 games this season. He was also a major factor in the Coyote offensive blocking schemes. He helped the Coyotes finished the regular season as the 9th ranked team in total offense (496.2 ypg), 8th in rushing (263.5 ypg) and 41st in scoring offense (31.4 ppg) in NCAA Division II.

Dixon (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn.) was tied for the team lead in interceptions and led the team in pass deflections. He had two interceptions and seven pass deflections. One of his interceptions was a 35-yard pick of Minnesota State's Ben King which he returned for a touchdown.

The team leader in tackles, Hojer (Jr., De Smet, S.D.) recorded 80 tackles on the season. He had five or more tackles in all 11 games and had two games with 10 tackles.

In his first full season as a starting quarterback, Shepard (So., Thornton, Colo.) established himself as a major offensive threat through the air and on the ground. He finished the season ranked 11th in NCAA Division II in total offense with 290.5 yards per game and his 2,547 passing yards were 29th in the nation. Shepard was named D2football.com player of the week after throwing five touchdowns and compiling 506 yards of total offense. His 2,547 passing yards and 21 touchdown passes are second in USD single season history. He also ran for 649 yards and five touchdowns.

Simmons (Jr., Houston, Texas) was tied for third on the team in tackles with 54, had four pass deflections, an interception and a fumble recovery. His fumble recovery he returned 22 yards for a touchdown. In addition to his work on defense, Simmons also returned punts for the Coyotes. He had 32 punt return yards this season.

South Dakota finished the season with a 6-5 record overall and were 5-3 in the North Central Conference. Of their 11 games, six were against nationally-ranked teams.