Posted: Nov 16, 2018
Ocampo named ASC Freshman of the Year, joins 3 others on ASC 1st Team
SEGUIN, Texas – Texas Lutheran place-kicker Juan Ocampo was named the American Southwest Conference Freshman of the Year and joined three Bulldogs – running back Austin Mathews, defensive end Manny Longoria and safety James Bell – on the All-ASC First Team.
In addition to the four players on the All-ASC First Team, the Bulldogs placed three players – offensive tackle Travis York, defensive tackle Nwankwo Nwankwo, and linebacker Emory Cuzze – on the All-ASC Second Team.
All-ASC Honorable Mention awards went to: quarterback Kyle Grona, linebacker DaKwa Davis, cornerback Kedrick Ward, and punter Justice Porter.
Bulldog wide receiver/returner D'Andre Gallagher was named to the ASC's Outstanding Sportsman Team of the Year.
Ocampo (Lockhart/Lockhart) is the only kicker among the NCAA's kick-scoring leaders (in the Top 200 for total scoring) to go without any type of missed kick in 2018. Ocampo was a perfect 45-for-45 on extra point attempts, and he was a perfect 8-for-8 on field goal attempts.
Ocampo was one of three kickers among the NCAA Division III's top 30 kick scorers to be perfect on extra points. He is one of two kickers in all of NCAA DIII, joining Valentin Wagner of Western New England, to have 45 or more made extra points without a miss this season. Wagner is 56-for-56.
Ocampo's honor marks the seventh time in TLU Football history that a Bulldog has collected a major end-of-year award from the ASC. He is the second Bulldog to claim ASC Freshman of the Year honors. (Casey Davis was named ASC Co-Freshman of the Year in 2012.)
ASC First Team selection Austin Mathews (Houston/Clear Creek) started the year as TLU's third-string running back. After injuries at the top of the depth chart, Mathews took full advantage of his opportunity. The junior rushed for 978 yards and 14 touchdowns on 178 carries.
Mathews ranks 57th nationally in rushing yards per game, 46th in scoring, 108th in all-purpose yards, 51st in total rushing yards, and 37th in total touchdowns.
Mathews' 14 rushing touchdowns tied Marquis Barrolle for TLU's NCAA DIII-era single-season rushing TD mark. Barrolle had 14 in 2014.
Mathews finished just two rushing touchdowns behind David Wehmeyer for the all-time school record. Mathews did set the new TLU school mark for rushing TDs in a single game, with five in a home win over Howard Payne on Oct. 27. Mathews rushed for 225 yards on 40 carries that day.
Longoria claimed First Team All-ASC honors for the first time after being a Second Team All-ASC choice in 2017. This year, Longoria is among the national leader in sacks (19th) and tackles for loss (10th). He also ranks 32nd in forced fumbles.
Longoria leads the ASC in sacks per game and tackles for loss, and he is tied for the conference lead in fumbles forced per game.
Longoria ended his 2018 with 37 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss (108 yards in losses), and 10.0 sacks (77 yards in losses). He also had five quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery (which he returned 41 yards for a score).
Early in the 2018 season, Longoria broke Texas Lutheran's DIII-era record for career sacks, and he is closing in on the TLU DIII-era record for tackles for loss. He needs 10 more to break the record.
Bell (Houston/Lamar) made the All-ASC First Team for a second consecutive season. The redshirt sophomore intercepted a team-high four passes and had 105 yards in INT returns.
Bell had two picks in the road win at Louisiana College. He returned the first one 55 yards for the opening touchdown. His second interception came on the Wildcats' final drive of the game. Bell's interception preserved a 41-36 TLU win in Pineville, La.
Bell finished third on the squad in total tackles (47), and he had a tackle for loss, five pass break-ups, a recovered fumble, and a blocked kick.
TLU Second Team All-ASC selections Travis York, Emory Cuzze, and Nwankwo Nwankwo each started all 10 games in 2018.
York (Seguin/Seguin) started at left tackle and anchored an offensive line that helped produce 420.1 yards of total offense per game and 208.0 yards of rushing per contest. The Bulldogs ranked 56th nationally in total offense and 49th nationally in rushing offense.
Cuzze (Buda/Hays) led TLU in total tackles for the second straight season. The senior produced 68 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass break-ups and two forced fumbles. Cuzze moved into seventh on the TLU DIII-era total tackle list. He finished his career with 227 total stops.
Nwankwo (Richmond/Foster) collected All-ASC Second Teams honors for a second straight year at defensive tackle. Nwankwo, a three-year starter, tallied 27 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble.
With Longoria, Cuzze, Bell and Nwankwo leading the way, the TLU defense set a new DIII-era record for rushing yards allowed per game. The Bulldogs gave up just 76.5 rushing yards per game (ranking 23rd in NCAA DIII). The 1974 team, which won the 1974 NAIA-II National Championship, gave up just 65.6 yards per game. The 65.6 yards of rushing allowed per game stands as the overall school record.
Grona, the team's starting quarterback, battled through an early-season injury to play nine games and throw for 1,727 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also had two rushing touchdowns.
Davis, a linebacker, finished second on the squad in total tackles, with 64, and in tackles for loss, with 10.0 for 42 yards in losses. Davis also had 4.5 sacks.
Ward (Missouri City/Elkins) had an interception return for a touchdown against Hardin-Simmons. He concluded the season with 33 total tackles, seven pass break-ups, and a forced fumble.
Porter (Houston/Cypress Ridge) took over the starting punting duties in the opening game of the year and proceeded to punt 53 times and average 38.89 yards per punt. He forced 15 fair catches and dropped 16 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Porter had eight punts of 50 yards or more. He did not have a punt blocked.
Gallagher (Cuero/Cuero) was a valuable teammate for four seasons at TLU. When he received his chance at significant playing time in 2018, Gallagher made the most of it. In his final game as a Bulldog, Gallagher returned a kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown against Southwestern. He also scored in his final home game as a Bulldog. Gallagher concluded 2018 with 27 catches for 269 yards and three touchdowns.
Led by second-year head coach Carl Gustafson, TLU finished its 2018 season with a one-win improvement from 2017, going 7-3 overall and 6-3 in the ASC. The Bulldogs matched the program's best-ever finish – third place – in the ASC.
2018 All-ASC Football Teams and Awards
Individual Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Markeith Miller, Mary Hardin-Baylor
Defensive Player of the Year: Jefferson Fritz, Mary Hardin-Baylor
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Colton Hall, Mary Hardin-Baylor
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Joey Longoria, Mary Hardin-Baylor
Special Teams Player of the Year: Reese Childress, Hardin-Simmons 2
Freshman of the Year: Juan Ocampo, Texas Lutheran
Coach of the Year: Pete Fredenburg, Mary Hardin-Baylor 11
2Two-Time Special Teams Player of the Year
11 11-Time Coach of the Year
First Team Offense
| Pos. | Name | Cl. | University | Hometown |
| WR | Richard Johnson 3 | Sr. | East Texas Baptist | Cleveland, Texas |
| WR | Reese Childress 3 | Sr. | Hardin-Simmons | Abilene, Texas |
| SB | Drake Battaglia 2 | Sr. | Louisiana College | Thibodaux, La. |
| TE | AJ Daniels 2 | Sr. | Southwestern | Benbrook, Texas |
| G | Ty Crain | Sr. | Hardin-Simmons | Sweetwater, Texas |
| G | Lane Smith | Sr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Franklin, Texas |
| T | Colton Hall 2 | Sr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Liberty Hill, Texas |
| T | Jonathan Castaneda 3 | Jr. | Hardin-Simmons | Abilene, Texas |
| C | James Findley | Sr. | Hardin-Simmons | Sachse, Texas |
| C | Steven Sellers | So. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Murphy, Texas |
| QB | Brian Baca | Jr. | East Texas Baptist | Pittsburg, Texas |
| QB | Frederick Hover 2 | Jr. | Southwestern | McAllen, Texas |
| RB | Markeith Miller 3 | Sr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Garland, Texas |
| RB | Bryson Hammonds | So. | Hardin-Simmons | Coleman, Texas |
| RB | Austin Mathews | Jr. | Texas Lutheran | Houston, Texas |
| K | Juan Ocampo | Fr. | Texas Lutheran | Lockhart, Texas |
| RS | Aaron Sims | Fr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Cameron, Texas |
| Pos. | Name | Cl. | University | Hometown |
| DL | Joey Longoria | Jr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Pearland, Texas |
| DL | Isaiah Johnson | Jr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Warner Robbins, Ga. |
| DL | Manny Longoria 2 | Jr. | Texas Lutheran | Geronimo, Texas |
| DL | Elijah Cross | Jr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Sonora, Texas |
| LB | De Jackson | Sr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Lindale, Texas |
| LB | Jalen Martin 2 | Sr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Round Rock, Texas |
| LB | Eriq Mitchell | Sr. | Hardin-Simmons | Lago Vista, Texas |
| LB | Josh Smith 2 | So. | McMurry | Bossier City, La. |
| DB | Jefferson Fritz | So. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Kaufman, Texas |
| DB | Dedrick Strambler 2 | Jr. | Hardin-Simmons | Midland, Texas |
| DB | Reginald Cole 2 | Sr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Houston, Texas |
| DB | James Bell 2 | So. | Texas Lutheran | Houston, Texas |
| P | Reese Childress 2 | Sr. | Hardin-Simmons | Abilene, Texas |
Second Team Offense
| Pos. | Name | Cl. | University | Hometown |
| WR | T.J. Josey 2 | Sr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Angleton, Texas |
| WR | Eriel Dorsey | Jr. | McMurry | Alexandria, La. |
| SB | K.J. Miller 2 | So. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Orange, Texas |
| TE | Woody Watson 2 | Sr. | Hardin-Simmons | Mason, Texas |
| G | Tony Jones II 3 | Sr. | East Texas Baptist | Houston, Texas |
| G | James Smat 2 | Sr. | Southwestern | Benbrook, Texas |
| T | Travis York | Jr. | Texas Lutheran | Seguin, Texas |
| T | Patrick Riley 2 | Sr. | Hardin-Simmons | San Antonio, Texas |
| T | Rathvon Williams | Sr. | Louisiana College | New Orleans, La. |
| QB | Ty Hooper | Sr. | Hardin-Simmons | Pampa, Texas |
| RB | Kalon Heim | So. | Southwestern | Alvarado, Texas |
| RB | Williton Grear 2 | Jr. | Sul Ross State | Austin, Texas |
| RB | Jeremiah Robertson | Jr. | East Texas Baptist | Huntington, Texas |
| K | Jamie Pogue | So. | Hardin-Simmons | Abilene, Texas |
| RS | Rae Millsap | Fr. | Hardin-Simmons | Abilene, Texas |
Second Team Defense
| Pos. | Name | Cl. | University | Hometown |
| DL | Hunter Creasey | Jr. | Hardin-Simmons | Georgetown, Texas |
| DL | Fentrese Milligan | Sr. | Sul Ross State | Elgin, Texas |
| DL | Nwankwo Nwankwo 2 | Jr. | Texas Lutheran | Richmond, Texas |
| DL | Zack Walker | Sr. | East Texas Baptist | Monroe, La. |
| DL | Khilan Wright 2 | Sr. | East Texas Baptist | Memphis, Tenn. |
| LB | Orel Ledet Jr. 4 | Sr. | Louisiana College | Breaux Bridge, La. |
| LB | Emory Cuzze 2 | Sr. | Texas Lutheran | Buda, Texas |
| LB | Julius Johnson | So. | Louisiana College | Kaplan, La. |
| LB | Chris Miller | Sr. | Hardin-Simmons | San Marcos, Texas |
| DB | Zack Biles 2 | Sr. | East Texas Baptist | New Caney, Texas |
| DB | Aaron Robinson | Jr. | Southwestern | Spring, Texas |
| DB | Anthony Hargrave | Sr. | Louisiana College | Monroe, La. |
| DB | Blake Johnston | Jr. | Hardin-Simmons | Abilene, Texas |
| P | Matthew Guth | Sr. | Louisiana College | Shreveport, La. |
Honorable Mention Offense
| Pos. | Name | Cl. | University | Hometown |
| WR | Jonel Reed | Jr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Fort Worth, Texas |
| WR | DunTayviun Gross | Jr. | Howard Payne | Tyler, Texas |
| WR | Landry Bray | Sr. | Southwestern | Arlington, Texas |
| WR | Joey Walden | Jr. | Belhaven | Oxford, Miss. |
| SB | Tarek Beaugard 2 | Sr. | East Texas Baptist | Benton, Ark. |
| SB | David Brandenburg 2 | Jr. | Southwestern | Spring, Texas |
| SB | Kevi Evans | Fr. | Hardin-Simmons | Mount Vernon, Texas |
| TE | Eric Haverstock 2 | Jr. | Howard Payne | Midland, Texas |
| TE | Sam Phillips | Jr. | Louisiana College | Longview, Texas |
| G | Abraham Centeno | Sr. | Howard Payne | Flatonia, Texas |
| G | David-Alvin Quinton | Sr. | Southwestern | Round Rock, Texas |
| T | Bryston Parker 3 | Sr. | East Texas Baptist | Tyler, Texas |
| QB | Kyle Grona 2 | Sr. | Texas Lutheran | Fredericksburg, Texas |
| QB | Jase Hammack | Jr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Andrews, Texas |
| RS | Byron Jones 4 | Sr. | Sul Ross State | League City, Texas |
| RS | Tariq Gray | So. | Howard Payne | Henderson, Texas |
Honorable Mention Defense
| Pos. | Name | Cl. | University | Hometown |
| DL | Terrance Garnett Jr. | Fr. | Louisiana College | Alexandria, La. |
| DL | Collin Wright | Sr. | Howard Payne | Keller, Texas |
| DL | Kyle Zavala | So. | Hardin-Simmons | Mason, Texas |
| DL | Qaylon Beckley | Sr. | East Texas Baptist | Houston, Texas |
| LB | Garrett Gibson | Sr. | East Texas Baptist | Gladewater, Texas |
| LB | Denarrius Noel | Sr. | Belhaven | Utica, Miss. |
| LB | Ben Brockman 2 | So. | Southwestern | Midland, Texas |
| LB | DaKwa Davis | So. | Texas Lutheran | Magnolia, Texas |
| LB | Hayden Smith | Jr. | Southwestern | Katy, Texas |
| LB | Jacques Wisner | Sr. | Sul Ross State | Dallas, Texas |
| LB | Austin Killgore | Jr. | Howard Payne | Tarkington, Texas |
| LB | Britt Boler | Jr. | Howard Payne | Midland, Texas |
| DB | Joshua Pickett | Sr. | Louisiana College | Oklahoma City, Okla. |
| DB | Zac Richardson | Sr. | Hardin-Simmons | The Woodlands, Texas |
| DB | Raylon Hickey 2 | Sr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Giddings, Texas |
| DB | Kedrick Ward | Jr. | Texas Lutheran | Missouri City, Texas |
| DB | Aaron Buckley | So. | East Texas Baptist | Spring, Texas |
| DB | Seth Gatson | Jr. | Belhaven | Farmerville, La. |
| P | Kyle King | Fr. | Howard Payne | Milano, Texas |
| P | Holten Einkauf | Sr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Sealy, Texas |
| P | Justice Porter | Fr. | Texas Lutheran | Houston, Texas |
Outstanding Sportsman Team of the Year
| Pos. | Name | Cl. | University | Hometown |
| DL | Darius Brooks | Sr. | McMurry | Thorndale, Texas |
| WR/PR | D'Andre Gallagher | Sr. | Texas Lutheran | Cuero, Texas |
| WR | Colton Kent | Sr. | Hardin-Simmons | Cisco, Texas |
| LB | Juan Luna | Sr. | Howard Payne | San Angelo, Texas |
| G | David-Alvin Quinton | Sr. | Southwestern | Round Rock, Texas |
| T | Tanner Rogers | Sr. | Belhaven | Florala, Ala. |
| WR | Derek Sides | Sr. | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Graham, Texas |
| LB | Levah Tarry | Jr. | Sul Ross State | Houston, Texas |
| RB | Aaron Woods | Sr. | Louisiana College | Lafayette, La. |
| DL | Khilan Wright | Sr. | East Texas Baptist | Memphis, Tenn. |
3Three-time All-Conference
2Two-time All-Conference