Milwaukee Native Dischler Named All-West Region for UW-Whitewater Football

2014 Dec 8

Justin Dischler, a physical education major and member of the top-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team, was one of seven players from the team selected to the 2014 d3football.com All-West Region teams, the Web site announced Monday, Dec. 8.

Senior quarterback Matt Behrendt, senior wide receiver Jake Kumerow, senior defensive back Brady Grayvold, junior linebacker Justin Dischler, junior offensive lineman Conner Peters and junior defensive lineman Zach Franz were tabbed first team honorees. Behrendt and Kumerow were both all-region honorees in 2013.

Senior Marcus McLin was named to the second team as a defensive back and third team as a kick/punt returner. He was named first team all-region as a defensive back a season ago.

The Warhawks host No. 10 Linfield (Ore.) in this Saturday's NCAA Division III Playoffs national semifinals. UW-Whitewater is 13-0 entering play this weekend and owns a 30-game winning streak, the longest in college football at any NCAA level.

Behrendt, the 2014 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and a first team all-conference selection, currently ranks among the top 20 in NCAA Division III in passing touchdowns (36), passing efficiency (175.5), passing yards (3,121) and yards per pass attempt (8.99). He has completed 238-of-374 attempts (68.6 percent) and, with four touchdowns in last Saturday's victory over Wartburg, moved into first place in program history in career touchdown passes (81).

Despite missing four games due to injury, Kumerow, a first team All-WIAC honoree, leads the conference and ranks 22nd in the nation with 12 touchdown receptions, and has caught 53 passes for 928 yards (17.5 ypr). A preseason All-American, Kumerow has at least one receiving touchdown in eight of his nine contests.

Peters garnered first team All-WIAC accolades and continues to lead UW-Whitewater's strong offensive line. Behind the blocking of Peters, the Warhawks lead the league with 221.2 rushing yards per game and have allowed just under one sack per game, good for 21st in the nation. UW-Whitewater is also 16th in the country in scoring offense (41.4 ppg).

A first-year starter, Dischler has helped solidify the Warhawks' linebacker corps. Also a first team all-league pick, Dischler leads UW-Whitewater with 85 tackles, including 7.0 for a loss and 2.5 sacks, and five pass break-ups. He also has six forced fumbles, good for sixth in the nation.

Franz leads a talented defensive line for the Warhawks. The first team all-conference selection enters the weekend with 31 tackles, including a team-best 10.0 for a loss, and has six sacks, good for second on the team. UW-Whitewater is allowing just 88.2 rushing yards per game, good for 12th in the nation.

Grayvold ranks fifth on the team with 48 tackles and has a conference-best seven interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns. A first team All-WIAC selection and preseason All-American, Grayvold has defended a team-best 15 passes and is a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, awarded to the Division III National Player of the Year.

McLin, a first team all-conference honoree, has paired with Grayvold to form one of the nation's best cornerback tandems. He has 35 tackles and five passes defended, and has recovered a pair of fumbles.

As a returner, McLin ranks seventh in the league in combined return yards (345) and leads the team with 159 punt return yards. He is averaging 14.5 yards per punt return and 31.0 yards per kick return. Both figures lead the team.

All players nominated for all-region teams are eligible for selection to the d3football.com All-America team, which will be announced later this month.