February 10, 2015

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The NCAA has announced the Bluffton junior Ryan Aelker (Holgate/New Bavaria) is the Division III statistical champion for sacks per game. His 13 sacks (1.3 sacks per game) also pushed him to the top of Bluffton's single-season list. Aelker, who recently took part in the Samaritan's Feet shoe distribution drive in Indianapolis, was the Defensive Player of the Year in the Heartland Conference as well as an All-American selection by USA Football. He is the first Bluffton football player to be crowned a statistical champion by the NCAA. The standout defensive end and the Bluffton football program will receive plaques commemorating his outstanding national achievement.

A season that saw the Bluffton University football team win six of its final seven contests was rewarded by the Heartland Conference coaches when the All-HCAC awards were announced. Ryan Aelker became the first player in Bluffton University history to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors in the HCAC since the Beavers joined the Heartland Conference in 1998. He was one of three Beavers named to the first team, while Bluffton placed four on the second team and five were named honorable mention. Aelker is just the second player from Bluffton to earn MVP honors in the HCAC following Offensive Most Valuable Player Tyson Goings selection in 2000. His work up front helped the Beavers rank second in the HCAC in scoring defense (25.1 PPG) and third in total defense (369.7 YPG).

Aelker was unblockable from his defensive end position, leading NCAA Division III with a Bluffton record 13 sacks this season. His 22 tackles for loss placed him third in the nation and it also toppled Justin Crosier's school record of 19 TFL's set in 2010. Aelker's four forced fumbles tied him for fifth in the nation, just one off the leaders and it also puts him second behind Matt Chiles on Bluffton's all-time list. In addition, Aelker established a new school mark with six quarterback hurries this season. The junior finished the year with 54 tackles (38 solos), 22 TFL's for 109 yards (1st all-time), 13 sacks for 83 yards (1st all-time), six breakups, an interception and two fumble recoveries. He led the HCAC in TFL's, sacks, forced fumbles and was third in fumble recoveries.                        

With the convincing 44-23 Senior Day victory over Defiance, the Beavers went 6-4 on the season and 6-2 in the HCAC (3rd place) for their most-ever Heartland Conference victories. The win marked the most consecutive victories in the series since Bluffton won six in a row from 1985 through 1990. It also evened the all-time series at 44-44-2! Coach Dorrel, his staff and the 2014 team have much to be proud of as they won six of their last seven games and nearly rattled off seven victories in a row to end the season. The future is bright as Bluffton looks to continue its climb when the 2015 football season kicks off next September at Wilmington!

-BEAVERS-