PITTSBURG, Kan. – IUP junior Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) has received third team All-American honors as the Don Hansen Football Gazette released its NCAA Division II postseason awards on Tuesday.
 
Cooper was the left guard and one of the main blockers for a ground game that finished the 2015 season ranked fifth in the country averaging 293.6 rushing yards per contest. The average also broke the single season school record.
 
The first team all-region pick led the way for redshirt freshman quarterback Lenny Williams (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) and sophomore running back Chris Temple (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley), who each ran for over 1,000 yards on the season. The two combined for 2,441 yards and 29 touchdowns.
 
The Crimson Hawks ran for at least 250 yards in nine of their 12 games, including a season-high 388 yards in their 20-15 Coal Bowl victory over rival California (Pa.). The IUP offensive line gave up a total of just 11 sacks in 12 games, tying for 13th in the country.
 
The Crimson Hawks finished this year with a 9-3 overall record and won a share of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division title with a 6-1 league mark. IUP advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the 16th time in its history, defeating Charleston 47-21 in the first round before falling to eventual national runner-up Shepherd 17-13 in the second round.
 
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP football on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPfootball.