Dolincheck first team selection headlines Mustangs' AFCA/NAIA recognitions

Morningside University's football program placed five student-athletes on the 2021 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics/American Football Coaches Association All-American teams, released Monday, Dec. 13.

Senior quarterback Joe Dolincheck (Bellevue, Neb.) topped the list, picking up first-team accolades. Dolincheck leads the nation in completions (295), completion percentage (67.8), passing yards (4378), passing yards per game (336.8), passing touchdowns (42), and pass efficiency (180.1). The award is Dolincheck's second all-time All-American merit, as he was on the Associated Press Little All-America squads in 2019.

A trio featuring senior wide receiver Reid Jurgensmeier (Wahoo, Neb.), senior offensive lineman Jason Hahlbeck (O'Neill, Neb.), and junior placekicker Chase Carter (Knoxville, Iowa) earned second-team honors. Jurgensmeier, adding the accolade to a 2020 AFCA/NAIA selection and 2019 AP Little All-America recognition, is the national leader in receptions (92) and is among the first three in yards (1,393) and touchdown receptions (16). Hahlbeck, gaining his first All-American selection, has helped lead the way for an offense that averages 56.9 points, 611.8 total yards, 385 passing yards, 226.8 rushing yards per contest, all of which rank among the nation's first four. Carter goes into the 2021 national championship tilt against Grand View College Saturday, Dec. 21, riding a string of nine consecutive made field goals and just one extra point shy of the 100 mark. It's first All-American nod.

Senior linebacker Tyler Wingert (Holstein, Iowa) wrapped up the recognitions for head coach Steve Ryan's squad. He was named to the honorable mention list. Wingert is among the best three nationally in solo tackles (67 – No. 3), assisted tackles (78 – No. 2), and total tackles (145 – No. 2). It's his first NAIA/AFCA All-American recognition.