Belken, Robinson receive All-American accolades
Andrew Belken and Andrew Robinson, both senior members of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team, have been named to the 2015 D3football.com third team All-America, earning the All-American title for their outstanding efforts throughout the season.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. —Andrew Belken and Andrew Robinson, both senior members of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team, have been named to the 2015 D3football.com third team All-America, earning the All-American title for their outstanding efforts throughout the season.
Belken led the Pioneers with the most tackles on the season with 88, including 47 solo tackles and an average of 8.8 tackles per game. The East Dubuque, Ill. native also recorded four sacks and ten tackles for a loss totaling 42 yards, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception. Belken was also named to the first team All-WIAC and earned All-West region honors earlier this season.
“Belken is that prototypical, hard-nosed, free spirited linebacker,” said head coach Mike Emendorfer. “One of the things that made him so great was that he wasn't afraid to stick his nose in the trenches every single play. His versatility as an athlete allowed us to do a lot of things defensively that an average player just couldn't handle. Andrew was an outstanding linebacker for us, I am very proud of him and the career he's been able to have at UW-Platteville.”
Robinson, a defensive lineman and Arcadia, Wis. native, recorded 43 tackles, including 27 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, 53 sack yards, 22 tackles for a loss totaling 94 yards, three forced fumbles, three blocked punts and kicks and one fumble recovery this season, paving the way for the Pioneer defense. He also earned first-team All-West region honors, Defensive Player of the Year accolades for the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference earlier this season and was named to the first team All-WIAC for the third time in his four-year career as a Pioneer.
“Robinson, or Corky as he's known amongst the team, is probably the best defensive linemen we've ever had at UW-Platteville,” said Emendorfer. “He owns the single season record for almost every category a defensive lineman can, and not only is he first on those lists; most of the time he is number one, two and three all-time. Andrew was a team player, and was constantly coaching up our young guys. He deserves this award and all others that come his way; we will definitely miss Robinson next fall.”
As a team, the Pioneers finished the season ranked at No. 14 in the nation, finishing 8-2 and beating two regionally ranked teams in Dubuque and North Central. During the last four years, UW-Platteville has recorded a 33-9 record and the third year in a row having two players earn All-American honors.