UMD Bulldogs "ALLETE" Moments: Competition
Throughout this year, UMD Athletics is partnering with Minnesota Power, ALLETE to highlight the Bulldogs accomplishments in the 3 C's: Classroom, Competition, Community.
Ten University of Minnesota Duluth football players were named to 2024 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference All-Conference Teams Thursday.
The six First Team All-NSIC selections were wide receiver DaShaun Ames, tight end Sam Pitz, quarterback Kyle Walljasper, offensive lineman Aiden Williams, defensive end Drew Hennessey, and linebacker Mac Strand. The Bulldogs had four Second Team All-NSIC honorees – offensive lineman Liam Fahey, defensive end Landon Carter, defensive back Preston McQueen and defensive end Matt Weerts.
Ames, a redshirt junior from Cumberland, Wis., makes his all-conference debut after having a career season in 2024. The 6'1" WR had 11 receiving touchdowns in 11 games and had 756 yards in the air on 38 receptions for a 19.9 yards per catch average – an NSIC-best effort and a 68.7 yards per game average all season.
Pitz, a graduate from Appleton, Wis. becomes a four-time first team selection after scoring two TDs and posting 360 receiving yards in 11 games this year. Pitz averaged 10.9 yards a carry and 32.7 yards per game in 2024.
Walljasper, a redshirt junior out of Fond du Lac, Wis. moves to a first team selection after picking up second team honors in 2023. Walljasper had the best passing season of his career, averaging 200.9 yards in the air a game and tossing 22 TDs – which tied his career high set last season. With 806 yards on the ground, Walljasper also used his legs to run in eight touchdowns, and averaged 80.6 rushing yards a game.
Williams, a sixth-year who hails from Anchorage, Alaska who has already accepted an invitation to the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl, was previously twice an all-second team selection. Williams led a line that helped average 213.7 rushing yards a game – second best in the NSIC and the league's best total offense.
Hennessey, a graduate and product of Highland, Wis., is now a three-time first team selection. With a team-high six sacks this season, Hennessey also recorded 22 tackles, which included 13 solo efforts. Hennessey leaves the Bulldogs tied for the sixth most sacks in program history.
Strand, a senior from Appleton, Wis. makes his debut on the all-conference list after a 47 tackle season – 22 of which were solo tackles. Strand had 7.5 tackles for loss for 23 yards, and 1.5 sacks.
Fahey, a graduate from Sobieski, Wis. earned his first all-conference selection after playing in all 11 games this season. Fahey was part of an offensive line that helped average 213.7 rushing yards a game – second best in the NSIC and the league's best total offense.
Carter, a senior from Lakeville, Minn. returns to the all-conference list after he earned first team accolades in 2022. With 29 total tackles, including 17 solos, Carter had 4.5 sacks this season and 9,5 tackles for loss for 39 yards – all career best efforts.
McQueen, a redshirt freshman hailing from Henderson, Nev. thrived on the field in 11 games this season with a whopping 45 tackles and 33 solo efforts. With six tackles for loss for 24 yards, McQueen also added two sacks on the year.
Weerts, a junior from Batavia, Ill. also earns his first all-conference selection after turning in 4.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss for 43 yards. In all, Weerts registered 26 tackles, which also involved 15 solo grabs.
The Bulldogs as a whole finished 7-4 overall and 6-4 in conference play. UMD ended the season on a four-game winning streak, including a 30-16 win over No. 18 Minnesota State University, Mankato.
About Minnesota Power, ALLETE:
Our bold vision centers on our commitment to climate, customers and communities. We're a clean-energy leader under our EnergyForward strategy, already delivering 50% renewable energy ahead of all other Minnesota utilities. Now we're doubling down on that with a vision to deliver 100% carbon-free energy to customers reliably and affordably by 2050. Learn more at: https://www.mnpower.com/CarbonFreeEnergyVision
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