University of St. Thomas Athletics
RB Hope Adebayo and LB Luke Herzog named Pioneer Football League Offensive and Defensive Freshmen of the Year
11/29/2021 12:41:00 PM | Football
St. Louis, Mo. – St. Thomas football freshman running back Hope Adebayo and freshman linebacker Luke Herzog opened the award season for the Pioneer Football League (PFL) with Freshman Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman Defensive Player of the Year accolades, the league announced Monday.
St. Thomas, playing its first year at the NCAA Division I level and in the PFL, became the first school to have a freshman duo claim league's Freshman Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year honors since 2008.
"The success that our program was able to achieve in our first year in Division I is directly correlated to the work of so many, and it was that very work that helped plot a course for the program, department & University as a whole, said Head Coach Glenn Caruso. "I believe that both Hope and Luke will be the first to share that same sentiment, but it's wonderful to see their exceptional efforts recognized in this manner."
Adebayo, a native of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., accumulated 658 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in his inaugural collegiate campaign. He finished 12th in the FCS for yards gained by a freshman and was one of just six freshmen to post double-digit rushing touchdown totals. A two-week stretch saw Adebayo rush for 182 yards and four touchdowns at Stetson on Oct. 16 and 191 yards and two touchdowns against Marist on Oct. 30.
Herzog, of Mendota Heights, Minn., tallied 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks in his freshman season. Herzog's first collegiate sack came at Stetson, and he notched a two-sack game against Marist. All four of his sacks during the season came against PFL opponents. Including a season-best mark of 2.5 tackles for loss in the win at Stetson, Herzog's 8.0 TFLs in conference action ranked ninth.
"It's an honor to be able to have two of our young men recognized by the pioneer league for these major awards. It speaks about the immediate success that Hope & Luke had within our program as well as the bright future that lies ahead for our school," added Caruso.
The annual PFL Major Awards announcement launches the league's annual awards week. The PFL will announce its 29th All-PFL Teams on Tuesday and the league will announce its Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Wednesday, coinciding with the announcement of the 29th Academic All-PFL teams.
ABOUT THE PFL
The Pioneer Football League is the nation's only non-scholarship, football-only NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conference.
St. Thomas, playing its first year at the NCAA Division I level and in the PFL, became the first school to have a freshman duo claim league's Freshman Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year honors since 2008.
"The success that our program was able to achieve in our first year in Division I is directly correlated to the work of so many, and it was that very work that helped plot a course for the program, department & University as a whole, said Head Coach Glenn Caruso. "I believe that both Hope and Luke will be the first to share that same sentiment, but it's wonderful to see their exceptional efforts recognized in this manner."
Adebayo, a native of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., accumulated 658 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in his inaugural collegiate campaign. He finished 12th in the FCS for yards gained by a freshman and was one of just six freshmen to post double-digit rushing touchdown totals. A two-week stretch saw Adebayo rush for 182 yards and four touchdowns at Stetson on Oct. 16 and 191 yards and two touchdowns against Marist on Oct. 30.
Herzog, of Mendota Heights, Minn., tallied 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks in his freshman season. Herzog's first collegiate sack came at Stetson, and he notched a two-sack game against Marist. All four of his sacks during the season came against PFL opponents. Including a season-best mark of 2.5 tackles for loss in the win at Stetson, Herzog's 8.0 TFLs in conference action ranked ninth.
"It's an honor to be able to have two of our young men recognized by the pioneer league for these major awards. It speaks about the immediate success that Hope & Luke had within our program as well as the bright future that lies ahead for our school," added Caruso.
The annual PFL Major Awards announcement launches the league's annual awards week. The PFL will announce its 29th All-PFL Teams on Tuesday and the league will announce its Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Wednesday, coinciding with the announcement of the 29th Academic All-PFL teams.
ABOUT THE PFL
The Pioneer Football League is the nation's only non-scholarship, football-only NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conference.
Players Mentioned
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