University of Delaware Football Standout Andrew Pierce Named to The Sports Network Pre-Season All-American Squad
July 10, 2012
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
• Complete Pre-Season All-American Team
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PHILADELPHIA -- Andrew Pierce (at right), one of the most prolific runners in University of Delaware football history in just two seasons with the Blue Hens, was honored with a spot on The Sports Network Pre-Season All-American team announced Tuesday.
Pierce, a 5-11, 200 lb. junior running back from Bridgeton, N.J. (Cumberland Regional High School), was selected to the second team and was the lone Blue Hen mentioned on the three teams. The All-American squads were selected by the staff of the website, which covers the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision extensively.
He was one of 15 Colonial Athletic Association players selected to the three teams, joining first team selections Terrance West (RB/Towson), Earl Watford (OG/James Madison), Matt Evans (LB/New Hampshire), and Jonathan Plisco (P/Old Dominion), second teamers Kendall Gaskins (FB/Richmond), Norman White (WR/Villanova), Chris Howley (OG/Maine), and B.W. Webb (CB/William & Mary), and third team picks Ricky Archer (OG/New Hampshire), Dae’Quan Scott (AP/James Madison), Frank Beltre (DE/Towson), Chris Burnette (DT/Old Dominion), Stephon Robertson (LB/James Madison), and Jordan Dangerfield (S/Towson).
Already established as one of the nation’s top running backs, Pierce is likely to be listed on the Walter Payton Award Watch List set to be announced later this month. The award is presented to the top offensive player in the country at the FCS level.
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 will begin pre-season camp the first week of August in preparation for the season opener 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.
