University of Minnesota Duluth junior strong safety Cody Eich and senior defensive nose tackle Jim Kunz have both been named to the 2010 Don Hansen All-America first team while seven other members of the reigning NCAA Division II national champion Bulldogs received some form of recognition. In addition, Bob Nielson, who directed UMD record this past fall, was chosen the co-National Coach of the Year, sharing that honor with Mercyhurst College's Nate Dreiling.

Eich, a native of Farmington, Minn., ranked second among 2010 Bulldogs in interceptions with four (including a key fourth-quarter theft which helped set up the game-winning field goal in UMD's 20-17 NCAA II title game victory over Delta State University) and was fourth in total tackles with a career-high 76. Kunz, who, like Eich, was an All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division selection this past fall, had a hand in 40 tackles (a personal best), including 8.5 for a loss. The Oshkosh, Wis., product also had one pass interception, which he returned for a touchdown, and one fumble recovery while starting in all 15 games. This marks the first time Eich and Kunz have attained All-American first team status.

A pair of team captains -- senior running back Isaac Odim, UMD's only three-time All-American, and senior inside linebacker Kiel Fechtelkotter, who last month was tabbed to both the Associated Press Little All-American and Daktronics Division II All-American first teams, were second team picks while record-setting junior placekicker David Nadeau and senior inside linebacker Robbie Aurich landed third team acclaim. Junior left offensive tackle Cory Flesch, sophomore offensive guard Garth Heikkinen and sophomore quarterback Chase Vogler were honorable mention honorees.