Nine Named to All-MIAA Football Teams

Nine members of the Trine University football team have been named to the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), the association announced today. Three members of the team were selected to the first team while six made an appearance on the second team.

Jamon Gibson was the lone defensive member of the Thunder to earn first team honors. The senior was once again a monster on the edge, leading the team with 8.5 sacks and finish the conference season second in the MIAA with 6.5. He broke the Trine career record for sacks during the season and added to that total to finish his career with 24. Gibson led the conference with 13 tackles for a loss during conference play while leading the team overall with 16.5. He also totaled two interceptions.

Alexander Lewis and Jackson Linback both represented the Thunder on first team offense after their time in the trenches as members of the starting offensive line. The two seniors anchored the line that helped the team average 159 rushing yards per game, up to 166.7 during just conference games, while allowing just 1.4 sacks per game, with a total of 14.

Three members of the team represented the offensive side of the ball on second team, including running back Xaine Kirby and wide receivers Brandon Kline and Kale Lawson.

Kirby led the team with 710 yards rushing during the season. In conference play he finished with 392, fourth most among MIAA runners, for an average of 65.3 yards per game, third best. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry during MIAA play, tied for third on the leaderboard.

Kline and Lawson both turned in top-ten performances during MIAA play. Lawson ended those games with 506 yards and an average of 84.3 yards per game, both fourth best in the conference. His 18.1 yards per catch was third best. Kline finished with 356 yards for 59.3 yards per game, both eighth best in the MIAA. His 13.2 yards per catch was tenth in the conference.

The final three selections to second team all came on the defensive side of the ball, with a player representing the team at each level.

The lone defensive back to be recognized for the team was senior Joseph Johnson. He finished the conference portion of the season with 50 tackles, fourth most in the conference. He led the team with 76 tackles for the entire season and forced a pair of fumbles, also a team high.

In the middle of the defense, Tucker Hasselman was named one of the linebacker selections to second team. The junior finished the season with 51 tackles the second most on the team. His 30 tackles during conference play were top-30 in the conference.

Kendall Himes rounded out the delegation from his interior line spot. The senior finished the season with 45 tackles, third most on the team. He added five sacks, second most on the team, and seven tackles for a loss, third best.

To view these students click here: https://trine.meritpages.com/achievements/Nine-Named-to-All-MIAA-Football-Teams/169750