Versnik Leads Titans' Three All-Region Selections
Senior offensive tackle Sam Versnik headlined three UW-Oshkosh selections to D3football.com's 2015 NCAA Division III All-West Region Team.
Versnik was named to the first team, while senior defensive end Trevor Fiegel was chosen to the second and junior safety Johnny Eagan to the third. It was the first all-region award for all three players.
Versnik, Fiegel and Eagan each started 13 games this season and collected All-WIAC first team honors. The trio helped UW-Oshkosh to an 11-2 record, its second WIAC title in four seasons, and a spot in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division III Championship.
Versnik, the 12th Titan to receive all-region first-team accolades, anchored an offensive line that assisted UW-Oshkosh in compiling a school-record 550 points and leading 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 this season.
Versnik played in all of UW-Oshkosh's 47 games during the past four seasons, including the last 33 as a starter. He also received All-WIAC first-team honors in 2014 and honorable mention status in 2013.
Fiegel and Eagan were key cogs in a defense that recorded four shutouts for the first time since 1933 and allowed just six fourth-quarter points all season. The Titans currently rank third in the nation in red zone defense (.538) and fifth in defensive touchdowns (4).
Fiegel tallied 38 tackles this season, including 7.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. Fiegel, who recorded a season-high six tackles against UW-Whitewater on Oct. 10, ranked second on the team in sacks and third in tackles for loss.
Fiegel lists 11th nationally with three fumble recoveries, including one he returned 42 yards for a touchdown against North Park University (Ill.) on Sept. 19. He also recovered fumbles against UW-Stout on Oct. 3 and UW-Stevens Point on Oct. 17.
Fiegel ended his 36-game career with 60 tackles.
Eagan finished the year with 42 tackles, nine passes defensed, four interceptions and two blocked kicks. His interception total led the team and currently ranks third in the WIAC.
Eagan registered two interceptions against Finlandia University (Mich.) on Sept. 12, including one he returned 32 yards for a touchdown. He also intercepted passes against UW-Platteville on Oct. 24 and The College of St. Scholastica (Minn.) on Nov. 21.
Eagan compiled a season-best five tackles in four contests this season, including five solo stops against both UW-La Crosse on Nov. 7 and UW-Whitewater on Dec. 5. He also blocked field goal attempts against both UW-La Crosse and UW-River Falls on Oct. 31.
Eagan, who transferred to UW-Oshkosh from NCAA Division I Northern Illinois University, has started all 23 games for the Titans the past two seasons. He has compiled 79 tackles, 17 pass breakups, seven interceptions and one fumble recovery.
A total of 77 players were chosen to the three All-West Region squads through balloting by sports information directors and the D3football.com staff.
Linfield College (Ore.) quarterback Sam Riddle and defensive end Alex Hoff were named the region's Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively. Glenn Caruso from the University of St. Thomas (Minn.) was selected as the region's Coach of the Year.