December 13, 2007

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA . . . Two Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) football players were named to the 2007 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III Coaches' All-America Team as announced by the AFCA Tuesday.

Luther College senior running back Tyler Sherden (Rochester, Minn./John Marshall) and Wartburg College senior defensive back Nick Weber (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier) were named to the team.

Sherden, selected as an all-purpose player, led the IIAC in rushing with 1,238 yards for an average of 154.8 yards per game. He also led the league in all-purpose yards with 1,764 for an average of 220.5 per contest.

After rushing for a single-season school record 1,575 yards, Sherden completed his career with 3,362 yards. That ranks third on Luther’s all-time list. Luther Hall of Famer Bernie Peeters established the old single-season yardage mark of 1,442 in 1971. Sherden also tied Peeters single-season record for touchdowns with 16, raising his second-place career total to 41.

Sherden was also selected to participate in this year's Aztec Bowl, where he carried the ball four times for 35 yards and a 14-yard touchdown in a 37-19 USA victory.

Weber, a three-time All-Conference selection, is the first AFCA honoree for Wartburg College since former standout Brian McIntire earned the honor following the 2004 campaign.

The fifth AFCA All-American in program history concluded his senior season with 32 tackles, four interceptions, and seven pass break-ups on defense and hauled in 22 receptions for 264 yards and one touchdown on offense. He also ranked among the most dangerous kick returners around, averaging over 14 yards per punt and over 21 yards per kickoff return.

To view the entire team, visit the American Football Coaches Association website at www.afca.com.

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