Mid States

[Football] Schmitt and Ackman named first team all-MSFA

All-MSFA releaseJett Schmitt and Drew Ackman earned first team all-conference honors as the Mid-States Football Association announced its Midwest League awards. Schmitt was named to the first team for the second straight year while Ackman received the honor for the first time.Schmitt anchored the offensive line from his left tackle spot. The senior from Kickapoo, Ill., started all 10 games he played, paving the way for an offense that battled injuries all season. Six different running backs saw significant action, yet the Bees still averaged better than 170 rushing yards per contest. Schmitt is the first Bee to twice be named first team all-conference since defensive tackle Sam Kabureck earned the honor in 2018 and 2019.Ackman was a disruptive force on the defensive side of the ball. The junior defensive end from Dixon, Ill., recorded 21 tackles for loss this season, the third-most by a Bee in a single season in program history. He also collected 7.5 sacks, currently the 20th-best mark in the NAIA. Ackman had at least one tackle in the backfield in 10 of the team's 11 games, and had multiple tackles for loss in nine games. He was credited with 46 total tackles, along with three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery, in 2021.Four different Bees were named second team all-MSFA, including defensive end Bernard Buhake, the school's all-time leader in career sacks. The fifth-year senior from Arlington, Texas, added to his total, matching Ackman with 7.5 sacks giving him 26.5 in his SAU tenure. With 11 tackles for loss, Buhake moved into a tie for second in school history with 44.5 in his career. He also forced three fumbles and recovered one.Also on the second team was Brody Mason. The senior linebacker from Fulton, Ill., was second on the team with 61 total tackles, including seven tackles for loss and two sacks. He led the team with three interceptions.A pair of Bee special teamers also earned second-team recognition – Tom Gillen and Alex Knoebel. Gillen, a senior from Alsip, Ill., was 7-of-10 on field goals, with a long of 47 yards. He also converted 24-of-25 extra points. Gillen was named the NAIA National Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 18 after kicking three field goals, including that 45-yarder, in SAU's 17-10 win over then-No. 12 Olivet Nazarene. Knoebel, a junior from Plainfield, Ill., did an excellent job as the team's long snapper.Knoebel assisted St. Ambrose punter Jackson Hunsicker, who received all-MSFA honorable mention. Hunsicker, a junior from Morton, Ill., averaged 39.2 yards on his 58 punts, currently the 11th-best mark in the NAIA. He is also seventh in the country dropping 22 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.Also receiving honorable mention were DJ Oshin and Sam Kerr. Oshin, a sophomore defensive lineman from South Elgin, Ill., was third on the team with six sacks among his 35 total tackles. Kerr, a senior superback from Lodi, Wis., caught 11 passes for 174 yards and four touchdowns this season.