Six Named to Lindy's Preseason All-America Team
Six members of the Wesley College football team were honored with 2008 Preseason All-American honors from Lindy's Sports in its 2008 College Football Preview magazine. In addition to placing a Division III best six players on the All-America squad, the Wolverines are ranked sixth in the preseason by the publication.
Five players, running back Mike Pennewell, tight end, Jon Lanouette, offensive tackle Dave Erdman, all-purpose player Larry Beavers and corner back Chet Turner were named to the first team. Linebacker Sean Matthews earned second team recognition.
Wesley was ranked sixth in the preseason top 25 poll by Lindy's. Mount Union earned the preseason No. 1 ranking, followed by 2007 national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater. Bethel was third, followed by Mary Hardin-Baylor and Washington & Jefferson to round out the top five. After the Wolverines, Wabash, Capital, St. John's (Minn.) and Case Western Reserve completed the top 10, respectively.
Wesley was one of two Atlantic Central Football Conference squads in the rankings. Route 13 rival Salisbury checked in at No. 20.
Pennewell, a junior from Smyrna, Delaware, ran for 1,630 yards in 2007. That total was the second best single season in Wesley history and rated among the top five in Division III. He also ran for eight touchdowns, a team-high despite not starting until the fourth game of the season. Pennewell also led the Atlantic Central Football Conference in rushing on his way to All-ACFC and D3football.com All-South Region first team selections.
Erdman, a senior from Ellicott City, Maryland, led an offensive line that allowed the offensive to churn out school records with 3,237 rushing yards and 6,192 total yards. The offense ranked ninth in the nation in yards per game and 20th in rushing offense. At 1.08 sacks allowed per game, the offensive line anchored by Erdman ranked 18th in Division III. He was also chosen both the All-ACFC and D3football.com All-South Region and All-American first teams, as well as earning a place on the ECAC Southwest Region All-Star team.
Beavers turned in a record setting year returning kicks in 2007. The senior from Annapolis, Maryland returned four kicks for scores, including three on the opening kick of the second half, to shatter both the Wesley single season and career marks. He ranked fifth in the nation in return average at 30.5 yards per return. Earlier this offseason, he was named the ACFC Special Teams Player of the Year, All-ACFC First Team and All-South Region and All-American by D3football.com and ECAC Southwest Region All-Star.
Turner, a junior, led the secondary with six interceptions to tie Wesley's single season mark. He added 11 pass breakups to lead the team. He was named All-ACFC, All-South Region and All-American by D3football.com and was an ECAC All-Southwest selection.Matthews, a senior team captain, led the team with 113 tackles, including 14.5 for loss. From Pennsauken, New Jersey, Matthews also had a sack, an interception, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles to his credit. He was named All-ACFC, All-South Region by D3football.com and ECAC All-Southwest after the season. Matthews is also a member of the ACFC All-Academic Team.
Wesley, who finished 11-2 in 2008 and won its third straight ACFC Championship on its way to the NCAA Quarterfinals, will be the 'Road Warriors' in 2008. Seven of Wesley's 10 regular season games will be on the road, beginning with a game at Christopher Newport on September 6. The Wolverines home opener is two weeks later, when Widener visits Scott Miller Stadium on September 20.
