Football has 3 honored as Academic All-District

November 16, 2001
St. Thomas landed three players on the Verizon College Division All-District 5 Academic team announced Nov. 15 -- DT Andy Kaiser (SR-Mora), RB Jake Barkley (JR-Plymouth/Robbinsdale Armstrong) and WR Andrew Hilliard (JR-Woodbury).

The trio goes onto the national ballot for Academic All-America consideration with honorees from eight other regions. Barkley was a first-team football Academic All-America honoree in 2000, while Hilliard was a second-team spring at-large recipient last spring during track and field season.

Kaiser, an Accounting major with a 3.83 gpa, started all 40 games in his career and helped the Tommies post a 27-9 record vs. Division III opponents during that stretch. He started both on the offensive and defensive line the last six games of 2001 and helped the Tommies post a 7-3 record. He finished his career with 244 tackles, 17.5 sacks, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries while scoring four touchdowns.He joined a select group of players to earn first-team All-MIAC honors three consecutive seasons.

Barkley, a Business major with a 3.88 gpa, finished fourth nationally in Division III rushing at 143.8 ypg. In nine games this season he rushed for 1,294 yards and nine touchdowns, with a 189-yard game vs. 8-2 St. John', a 201-yard effort vs. 7-3 Gustavus and a 178-yard outing vs. 7-4 Bemidji State. He rushed for 100-plus yards 14 times in the last two seasons. He became the ninth rusher in MIAC history to surpass 3,000 career yards. With one season left to play, he's gained 3,135 yards rushing and 3,674 all-purpose yards in 28 career games.

Hilliard, a Pre-Med/Mathematics major with a 3.987 gpa, finished 17th nationally in Division III receiving yards per game (108.6). In nine games (missed one with an injury) he caught 13 touchdown passes and made 52 catches for 977 yards. He had 12 receptions of 34 or more yards this season, and twice caught three TD passes in one game. In 29 career games he's had 98 receptions for 1,808 yards and 17 touchdowns with one season left to play. He's a three-time relay All-American in track and field and also qualified for nationals in the 400 hurdles in 2001.