January 13, 2004

Ross, Bachman Earn All-American Honors

Ross Tabbed for the Third Time

      Kearney, NE – Nebraska-Kearney senior offensive tackle Ryan Bachman (Ponca) and sophomore wide receiver Richie Ross (Lincoln) have been named All-American by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette.

      Ross earned first-team honors while Bachman was an honorable mention selection. Already this year, Ross has earned first-team All-American honors (D2football.com) and second-team All-American honors (Daktronics).

      This marks the 16^th year Don Hansen’s Football Gazette, a recognized authority on small college football, has selected a Division II All-American team. The national publication selected all-region teams with the first-team and second-team players from each of the four regions (Northeast, South, Midwest and West) making up the national ballot, which was voted upon by a 21-member national panel.

      Ross was the only sophomore on either the first or second team offense and was only one of seven players to earn first, second or third-team All-American honors.

      The RMAC Offensive Player of the Year, Ross caught 75 balls for a school-record 1,482 yards and 11 TD’s in 2003. His per game average of 148.2 ranked second in the nation behind Ellis Debrow of Mississipi’s Delta State (148.8).

      At 6-6 and 300 lbs., Bachman has brought NFL scouts to Kearney all fall. He started the last three years at left tackle and was a two-time All-RMAC selection in his career. This year, he earned all-region honors for the Football Gazette (1^st team) and Daktronics (2^nd team).

      Eight other RMAC players earned all-American honors, including Adams State linebacker Adam McGurk and Western State kicker Travis Snyder (both 2^nd team).

      A total of 134 players earned some form of Football Gazette All-American honors. Players from 68 of the 148 football-playing schools in Division II earned Football Gazette All-American honors.