BLUFFTON, Ohio - For the third time in the past five seasons, the Bluffton University football team has placed a defensive lineman on the D3Football All North Region Team. Junior Ryan Aelker (New Bavaria/Holgate) followed Justin Crosier who was a Second Team All North Region selection in both 2010 and 2011. Aelker was named Second Team All North Region for his record setting work in the trenches this season after being selected the Defensive Player of the Year in the Heartland Conference.
Junior Ryan 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. Aelker 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 one season to play, Aelker ranks 2nd all-time with 19.5 career sacks and 124 yards lost on those stops. He is 4th all-time with 36 TFL's and 2nd all-time with 176 yards on tackles for losses. Aelker has 105 career tackles, five forced fumbles, nine hurries and seven breakups following his junior season. He was a Second Team All-HCAC selection as a sophomore when he racked up 13.5 TFL's and six sacks.
The teams, selected in balloting by North Region sports information directors and D3football.com staff, were chosen from 228 nominations by Division III member schools. A total of 79 players were chosen.
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