GNAC ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM (PDF) | PURCHASE PLAYOFF TICKETS

PORTLAND, Ore. – Humboldt State captured a Great Northwest Athletic Conference title and earned the program's first playoff appearance since 1968 this season, but Wednesday's all-conference awards release provided more reason to celebrate. The Lumberjacks had a conference-leading 18 individuals recognized as All-GNAC selections.
 
HSU had a conference-high 10 First Team All-GNAC selections, including the GNAC's Offensive Player of the Year, Offensive Lineman of the Year, Defensive Lineman of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. Head Coach Rob Smith was also named the conference's Coach of the Year after leading the Lumberjacks to a 9-1 regular season, and a GNAC title for the first time since 2011.
 
The nation's leading rusher, Ja'Quan Gardner, earned Offensive Player of the Year after compiling a single-season program record 1,996 yards for the Green and Gold. Recognized as GNAC Offensive Player of the Week on five occasions this season, Gardner has five games of 200+ yards and 26 rushing touchdowns on the year.

 
Blocking for the Jacks' high-powered offense is two-time Offensive Lineman of the Year, Alex Cappa. A unanimous first-team selection in back-to-back years, Cappa led the talented offensive line as a sophomore. Humboldt leads the conference in scoring offense, averaging 44.5 points per game.
 
The other side of the ball was also recognized. Dillon Huffman was named Defensive Lineman of the Year. In 10 games, Huffman has recorded 34 tackles, including six for loss and three sacks. The Lumberjacks lead the conference in both total defense and scoring defense after allowing just 333.9 yards per game and 17.3 points per game.
 
In his first season with the Jacks, defensive back Chris Hannible has been a ball hawk in the Green and Gold secondary. Hannible leads the GNAC with six interceptions, despite missing the final two games of the regular season due to injury. Hannible joined the Lumberjacks after transferring to the program from Bakersfield College.
 
Smith was named Coach of the Year for the 11th time and has won the GNAC honor for the sixth time in his prolific career. This season marked the first time that Smith has coached the nation's leading rusher. He was the conference's co-Coach of the Year last season.
 
All four individual award winners were also recognized as unanimous selections to the conference's first team lists. Joining the previously listed players as first team selections: receiver Chase Krivashei (unanimous), tight end Derek Brown, offensive lineman Lucas Govan (unanimous), and kicker/punter Cameron Southward (unanimous) on the offensive side, and defensive lineman Codey Heidebrecht and linebacker Eric Paopao (unanimous) made the first team defense.
 
The second team offensive selections included HSU offensive linemen Jonathon Rowe and Josh Hanson, with linebacker Taylor Mitchell, defensive lineman Cameron Buell and safety Nick Sharpe earning second team recognition for the defense.
 
Offensive lineman Jonathan Bajet, defensive lineman Drew Dubois, and receiver Marquise Deadwiler were named to the GNAC's honorable mention team.
 
Humboldt State is the No. 4 seed in the 2015 NCAA Division II Super Region Three bracket and will host No. 5 seed Augustana on Saturday, Nov. 21. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at HSUJacks.com.