APPLETON, Wis. -- Five Lawrence University football players have been named to the All-Midwest Conference team.
Senior defensive end Matt Frelich (Maribel, Wis./Denmark) was a second-team selection, and senior defensive end Mike Gostisha (Appleton, Wis./East), senior safety Brian Janssen (Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon), junior rover Jeff Nichols (Janesville, Wis./Craig) and freshman wide receiver Nate Nelson (Waupaca, Wis./Waupaca) all received honorable mention.
Frelich, also a second-team pick in 2007, finished the season with 74 tackles, which was the second-highest total on the team. Frelich, who was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week once this season, had 14.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, two interceptions and two blocked kicks.
In conference play, Frelich piled up 68 tackles, which led all defensive linemen in the league. His 0.78 sacks per game in conference play finished fourth in the league, and he was third with 1.61 tackles for loss per game.
Frelich was named the MWC Defensive Player of the Week once this season, and he was selected as Special Teams Player of the Week once as well.
Gostisha was chosen for the all-conference team for the first time. Gostisha finished third on the team with 67 tackles, and he led the team with 7.0 sacks and 15.0 tackles for loss. Gostisha also picked off his first career interception. Gostisha tied for the conference lead at 0.89 sacks per game, and he was fourth at 1.56 tackles for loss per game.
Janssen was given honorable mention on the team for the second consecutive season. He finished the season with 64 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 1.0 sacks. Janssen also had two interceptions, including a game-saving pick in final seconds of the season finale at Minnesota-Morris. Janssen, who was chosen once this season as the MWC Defensive Player of the Week, had 57 tackles in league play, including 6.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks and one interception.
Nichols was chosen for the all-conference team for the first time. Nichols led the team with four interceptions, and he was fifth on the squad with 58 tackles. Nichols, who also had two blocked kicks, had 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks.
Nelson was one of six freshmen to make the all-conference team. Nelson led the team with 35 catches, 716 receiving yards and six touchdown catches. He averaged 20.5 yards per catch and 79.6 receiving yards per game. Also the team's punter, Nelson set a school season record of 44.5 yards per kick. He had a long kick of 64 yards, and eight of his 17 kicks were inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
Lawrence finished with a 2-8 record on the season.