MANHEIM, Pa. – IUP senior right tackle
Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) is one of 50 players who have been nominated for the 2016 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year.
The award has been presented by the Manheim Touchdown Club annually since 2004 to the most outstanding offensive or defensive lineman in Division II.
A 2016 preseason All-American pick by The Sporting News and D2Football.com, Cooper anchors an offensive line that has helped IUP rush for 270.1 yards per game, seventh in Division II. IUP also averages 510.1 total yards and 47.6 points per game, boasting one of the top offenses in college football.
"Ethan has been dominant every game, every play," said IUP head coach
Curt Cignetti. "He is the most physically dominant player in the PSAC by a wide margin."
Cooper has started 34 consecutive games along the offensive line, with 23 of those coming at left guard as a sophomore and junior. He then made the move to right tackle as a senior, where he has flourished as one of the top blockers in the nation.
A two-time All-PSAC West pick, he earned first team All-Super Region One honors and was named third team All-American by the Don Hansen Football Gazette in 2015. He's blocked for 29 100-yard rushers and three 200-yard rushers in his 38 career starts.
The award is named in the honor of former Texas A&I (now Texas A&M Kingsville) offensive line standout, Oakland Raider and Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Gene Upshaw.
Upshaw, who also served as the Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association for 25 years before his passing in 2008, earned numerous honors at A&I and was picked by the Raiders in the first round of the 1967 draft. He was the first player to play in Super Bowls in three different decades and was named to six Pro Bowls and the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. Upshaw was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
"It is an incredible honor to be recognized for your contributions to the game of football by having an award created in your name", said Upshaw upon the creation of the award. "I hope all young men who earn this award have the same passion for the game that I had while playing college football."
The award is voted upon by sports information directors at each of the football playing members of NCAA Division II. Each school has one vote and has limited to one nomination. From there, the nominations are voted upon by region and the top two vote recipients in each of the four NCAA Division II football super regions reach the national ballot.
Because efforts of the Manheim Touchdown Club and the relationship between Mr. Upshaw and the NFLPA, the NFL is a strong supporter and endorser of the award. The annual winner has a standing invitation to the East/West Shrine Game and the NFLPA All-Star Game, which gives the winner a opportunity to play in front NFL coaches and scouts prior to the NFL Draft.
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP football on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPfootball.
