The University of Minnesota Crookston football team had three players named to the All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) teams announced Thurs., Nov. 15 by the conference office. Rod Stewart (Sr., WR/RS, Fort Worth, Texas) was named All-NSIC North Second Team as a return specialist, while Will Cole (Sr., DB, Fort Worth, Texas) and Ali Alkhatib (Sr., LB, Rosemount) garnered All-NSIC North Honorable Mention accolades.
Stewart is a two-time All-NSIC selection after earning All-NSIC First Team as a return specialist in 2017 and All-NSIC Second Team as a wide receiver. Stewart averaged 17.97 yards per kickoff return this season. He had a 40-yard return in the final game of his career against the University of Mary. In addition, he notched a season-long 42-yard kickoff return versus Northern State University. Stewart was a Don Hansen Football Gazette All-America Honorable Mention pick as a return specialist in 2017. As a punt returner, Stewart notched an average of 8.7 yards with a long of 16 on the season. Stewart ended his career as a receiver second all-time in receiving yards with 1,869 yards. He was third all-time in receptions with 139 and fifth in receiving touchdowns with 10.
Alkhatibis a first-time honoree on All-NSIC teams. He was second on the team with 82 tackles with 41 solo tackles and 41 assisted tackles. He led the Golden Eagles with 8.5 tackles for loss and was second on the team with 2.5 sacks. Alkhatib had one interception and two fumble recoveries, including a 61-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown against UMary. Alkhatib ended his career third all-time in total tackles with 304. His 154 career solo tackles finished tied with Justin Reed for second all-time, while his 31.5 tackles for loss in second all-time to Jim Mages.
Cole earns All-NSIC Honorable Mention in back-to-back seasons. He led the team with 88 tackles with 54 solo tackles and 34 assisted tackles. Cole notched five tackles for loss and a team-high two interceptions. Cole ended his career with 262 tackles, which fell right outside the top five. His 140 career solo tackles is fifth all-time in Golden Eagle history.
Gabriel Watson of the University of Sioux Falls was named NSIC Offensive Player of the Year. Gunner Olszewski of Bemidji State was selected as NSIC Defensive Player of the Year. Northern State University freshman Dakota Larson was selected as NSIC Offensive Newcomer of the Year, while Concordia University-St. Paul’s Marcus Haskins was named NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Minnesota State University Moorhead Head Coach Steve Laqua was named NSIC Coach of the Year, while University of Minnesota Duluth’s John Steger was picked as NSIC Assistant Coach of the Year.
Rod Stewart Ali Alkhatib Will Cross
