All-American Honors Continue for Rutenbeck

Dec 19, 2013 | J.Crane

DUBUQUE, IOWA - University of Dubuque wide receiver Tyler Rutenbeck (Maquoketa, Iowa/Maquoketa) added a third All-American accolade with his selection to the First Team Associated Press (AP) Little All-American Team on Thursday afternoon (Dec. 19). Rutenbeck  has also been named American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III All-American and First Team Beyond Sports Network (BSN) All-American. He finished the season with 68 catches for 1,269 yards and a Division-III best 22 touchdown receptions for the Spartans. 

A big play threat, Rutenbeck ranks among the Top 50 in Division III in numerous categories. He is first in receiving touchdowns (22), fourth in receiving yards per game (126.9), eighth in yards/catch (18.7), eighth in scoring/game (13.2), 33rd in receptions/game (6.8), and 42nd in all-purpose yards/game (149.6). 

The junior wideout led the Iowa Conference (IIAC) in receptions (68), receiving yards (1269), receiving yards/game (126.9), touchdowns (22), yards/catch (18.7), all-purpose yards (1,496), and scoring (132) on his way to First Team All-Iowa Conference honors.

Rutenbeck set a school record with 11 consecutive games with a receiving touchdown (dating back to the 2012 season). During that stretch he caught 52 passes for 1092 yards and had 19 touchdowns. He also set a UD record with five touchdown catches in the Spartans 56-0 victory in the Key City Clash versus Loras. 

The AP Little All-American Team honors players from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.

The AFCA has selected an All-American team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. The AFCA's Division III All-American Selection Committee is made up of three head coaches from each of the AFCA's nine districts with one serving as district chairman. 

The 2013 Spartans offense led the IIAC in scoring (349), total offense (4,398), passing yards (3,137), yards per play (6.0), touchdowns (47), extra points (45), points per game (34.9), yards per game (439.8), and red zone offense with 37 scores in 42 opportunities (32-touchdowns/5-field goals).

The Spartans red zone offense ranks 14th in Division-III with points in 88.1% of all red zone attempts. UD finished the season with only 12 turnovers, the 15th lowest total in D-III. The Dubuque offense ranks 13th in passing offense at 313.7 yards/game.

The complete All-American teams can be found at: AP Little All-American   AFCA All-American    BSN All-American

Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II Player of the Year) finalists Dustin Vaughan of West Texas A&M and Franklyn Quiteh of Bloomsburg lead the AP Little All-American team.

North Central quarterback Spencer Stanek and Illinois Wesleyan defensive lineman John Worley headline the 2013 AFCA Division III Coaches All-American Team.

University of Dubuque AP Little All-Americans
1988 Roger Little - WR Honorable Mention
1988 Roger Waialae - QB Honorable Mention
1996 Matt Plummer - WR Third Team
2009 Michael Zweifel - WR Third Team
2011 Michael Zweifel - WR Second Team
  2013  Tyler Rutenbeck - WR   First Team

 

Follow all UD Athletics action on Twitter at: @UDubuqueSports