Delaware’s Andrew Pierce Earns Spot on College Sporting News Pre-Season All-American Squad
August 1, 2012
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
• Complete CSN Pre-Season All-American Team
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NEWARK, Del. -- With the start of pre-season camp just two days away, University of Delaware football standout running back Andrew Pierce has earned yet another national honor.
Pierce, who will be among 95 players reporting to camp to begin drills Saturday, Aug. 4, has earned a spot on the College Sporting News pre-season third team All-American squad. A total of 100 players from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level were selected on the three teams.
He was one of 16 Colonial Athletic Association players named to the three teams, joining first teamers in linebacker Matt Evans of New Hampshire and punter Jonathan Plisco of Old Dominion; second teamers in running back Terrance West of Towson, fullback Kendall Gaskins of Richmond, offensive guard Earl Watford of James Madison, tight end Justin Perillo of Maine, wide receiver Norman White of Villanova, defensive end Frank Beltre of Towson, and cornerback B.W. Webb of William & Mary; and third teamers in fullback Brian Barlow of James Madison, offensive guard Chris Howley of Maine, offensive guard Ricky Archer of New Hampshire, defensive tackle Chris Burnette of Old Dominion, linebacker Stephon Robertson of James Madison, and free safety Jordan Dangerfield of Towson.
Pierce, a 5-11, 200 lb. junior running back from Bridgeton, N.J. (Cumberland Regional High School), earlier this summer was named second team pre-season All-American by The Sports Network, one of 20 candidates for the Walter Payton National Offensive Player of the Year Award, and a pre-season first team All-CAA selection.
Despite being just a junior, Pierce already enters the 2012 season ranked third among active FCS leaders in rushing attempts (608) and rushing yards per game (112.8) and fourth in total rushing yardage (2,934) and rushing touchdowns (30).
Pierce carried 279 times for 1,279 yards and 16 touchdowns during the 2011 season when he led the CAA in carries while ranking third in rushing with 116.3 yards per game and second in touchdowns. A second team All-CAA selection, he also ranked 10th in the NCAA in scoring and was 13th in rushing yard per game. He came on stronger at the end of the season, surpassing the 100-yard mark in each of the last three games, including a 215-yard performance vs. Richmond. He also ranked second on the team in receptions with 42 catches for 212 yards.
He burst on to the season as a freshman in 2010 when he rushed for 1,655 yards and 14 touchdowns and was named third team All-American by The Sports Network. That same season, he also was named CAA Rookie of the Year, ECAC All-East Rookie of the Year, Phil Steele College Football National Freshman of the Year, and the College Sporting News Co-Freshman of the Year.
Delaware, which advanced to the NCAA national championship game in 2010, posted a 7-4 record in 2011, just missing a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Head coach K.C. Keeler welcomes back 13 starters this season. The Blue Hens’ season opener is set for Thursday, Aug. 30 vs. West Chester at 7:30 p.m. at Delaware Stadium.
Great season ticket packages are on sale now. Information is available online at www.bluehens.com or by phone at 302-831-2257.
