Drushal Selected Third-Team All-North Region

Rick Drushal, pictured here in the season-finale against OWU, is now a two-time all-region honoree.

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Rick Drushal (Lakeville, Ohio / West Holmes) of The College of Wooster received honorable mention on the D3football.com 2005 All-America Team, announced the popular Web site during pre-game broadcast festivities at the Stagg Bowl, the NCAA Div. III national championship game, this past Saturday.

It marks Drushal’s second career All-American nod, but his first from D3football.com as the junior offensive lineman was a second-team pick by Football Gazette last fall.

Drushal, Wooster’s starting left tackle for all 32 games of his career, came into this year as one of just five returning starters on the offense. Despite the inexperience, an injury to the starting quarterback that caused him to miss four games, and a switch of the lead tailback midway through the season, the Scots averaged 24.2 points and 368.2 yards per game, thanks in large part to Drushal. The 6-4, 305-pound athletic lineman graded out as the top member of that unit at a rate of 79% on the season, according to the coaching staff. They also had him down for 122 pancake blocks in 10 games.

“He was our most consistent performer throughout the season,” confirmed Wooster head coach Mike Schmitz.

For his career, Drushal is a three-time All-North Coast Athletic Conference selection for football, including first-team honors the last two seasons, and a four-time all-conference thrower for the indoor and outdoor track & field team. Next fall, he’ll have a chance to become just the fourth three-time All-American in team history. Current assistant coaches Seth Duerr (1998-00) and Tony Sutton (2002-04) as well as defensive end Brock Jones (1985-87) are the others.

“He’s had a terrific career here, and we feel very strongly that he’s one of the best offensive linemen in the country,” Schmitz added. “Not only is he a terrific player, but he’s a terrific young man and a great leader. We’re certainly looking forward to having him back (next year). We wish we could keep him forever.”

Exactly 100 players were chosen for the D3football.com All-America Team.