Versnik Named To All-America Team
UW-Oshkosh senior offensive lineman Sam Versnik was selected to D3football.com's 2015 NCAA Division III All-America First Team.
Versnik becomes the 13th Titan to earn All-America honors from D3football.com and the third to collect first team laurels. He joins quarterback Nate Wara in 2012 and punter Nate Ray in 2014 as first team honorees.
Versnik started all 13 UW-Oshkosh games this season at left tackle. He helped the Titans compile a school-record 550 points and lead the WIAC with 500.3 total yards and 232.1 rushing yards per game. Versnik and the UW-Oshkosh linemen combined to allow just 17 sacks and ranked 18th nationally in tackles for loss allowed (4.54).
D3football.com named Versnik as an All-West Region first team member earlier this month after he earned All-WIAC first team accolades for the second straight season.
Versnik played in all of UW-Oshkosh's 47 games during the past four seasons, including the last 33 as a starter.
A total of 100 players were named to the 2015 D3football.com All-America team. Each of the three squads and one honorable mention group featured 11 players on offense, 11 on defense and three on special teams. D3football.com has selected All-America teams since 1999.
Versnik was one of eight players from WIAC programs receiving All-America recognition. UW-Whitewater had five players selected, while UW-Platteville had two.
Joining Versnik on the 2015 D3football.com First Team Offense were quarterback Joe Callahan and wide receiver Bryce Shade from Wesley College (Del.); running back Jordan Roberts, tight end Charlie Dowdle and tackle David Simmet from the University of St. Thomas (Minn.); running back Mason Zurek from Wabash College (Ind.); wide receiver Jessie Ramos from Hardin-Simmons University (Texas); center Eric Pitassi from Linfield College (Ore.); and guards Colin Egan from Johns Hopkins University (Md.) and Chase Wilhelms from Wartburg College (Iowa).
Roberts was named the Offensive Player of the Year, while University of Mount Union (Ohio) defensive tackle Tom Lally was chosen the Defensive Player of the Year.
UW-Oshkosh concluded the season with an 11-2 record, winning its second WIAC title in four seasons and earning a spot in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division III Championship.