WINONA, Minn. --- Minnesota State senior offensive guard Andy Schoonover finished third in the regional voting for the 2009 Gene Upshaw Award.
Hillsdale College’s offensive tackle Dale Veldheer and Nebraska-Kearney center Jack Heitt were the top two in voting and advance to the national ballot. Veldheer earned seven first-place votes and totaled 77 points while Heitt earned six first-place votes and also totaled 77 points. Schoonover finished with 72 points and six first-place votes.
The Gene Upshaw Award is voted on by Sports Information Directors within the NCAA Super Region 3 for football.
Schoonover – a Boyceville, Wis. native – helped anchor a Maverick offensive line that netted 2,601 yards of rushing offense and 2,148 yards of passing offense. The 2,601 yards of rushing offense is the fourth-highest single-season tally in school history.
Earlier this week, Schoonover earned First-Team All-Region honors by Daktronics for the second time in his career. He is also a two-time First-Team All-NSIC South Division selection.
Minnesota State finished the 2009 season with a 10-2 record and advanced to the NCAA Playoffs for the second time in as many years and the fifth time in school history.
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