ALL-NCAC TEAM

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Six Kenyon College football players were awarded positions on the 2016 All-North Coast Athletic Conference team. Among the Lords' honorees were freshman quarterback Thomas Merkle, who was named the NCAC Newcomer of the Year, and senior receiver Brian Hunca, who was one of just 11 offensive players named to the first team.

Second-team honors were collected by senior offensive lineman Casey Cook and senior linebacker Mike Gibbons. Additionally, junior safety Curt Williams and senior punter/kicker Szabi Simo picked up honorable mentions.

Merkle led a record-breaking passing attack that saw the Lords register single-season College standards for attempts (466), completions (276) and yards (2,928). Merkle was responsible for all but two of those attempts, making him the individual single-season record holder for all those categories, as well. His numbers from the 2016 season also included 15 passing touchdowns, as well as Kenyon single-game records of 44 completions and 438 passing yards from the Lords' game at DePauw University.

With the honor, Merkle became the first player in Kenyon football history to be named the NCAC Newcomer of the Year.

Merkle's top target was Hunca, who also finished the season with some new Kenyon marks. His 99 receptions this season were a single-season record and his total of 1,283 receiving yards ranks third all-time in program history. Hunca, now a three-time All-NCAC honoree, finished his career with 241 receptions, 3,294 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns. His career reception and yardage totals rank second all-time at Kenyon.

Cook also played a big role in the Lords' offensive success. From his left tackle spot, he created time and space for Merkle and the passing attack. A first-timer on the All-NCAC team, Cook made way for Kenyon backs to run for 728 yards and 10 touchdowns. He played in all 30 games over the last three seasons and 32 in his collegiate career.

On the other side of the ball, Gibbons and Williams were among the Lords' leading tacklers. Gibbons racked up 68 tackles and logged a team-best 5.5 quarterback sacks. He also had eight tackles-for-loss and added three pass break-ups. Williams recorded 77 tackles, three for losses. His final season stat line also included two interceptions and six pass break-ups. While the all-conference award was Williams' second, it was a first for Gibbons.

Another first-time honoree was Simo, who ranked as one of the best punters in the conference. He punted 42 times for an average of 40.5 yards per boot. That average ranked second-best in the NCAC. He had six punts of 50 yards or more and four buried inside opponents' 20-yard line. Additionally, Simo was the Lords place kicker and connected on six of his eight field goal attempts throughout the season. On top of that, Simo exits the program as the record holder for career PATs made (77).