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Phil Steele All-American

Three Leathernecks Named Phil Steele FCS All-Americans

Khalen Saunders, Pete Swenson, and Austin Hopp were each named to a Phil Steele All-American list.

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois football program garnered All-American recognition Friday (Jan. 4) as Khalen Saunders and Pete Swenson were named first and second team, respectively, on the Phil Steele FCS list. The publication marked the duos third All-American nod this year as STATS FCS and the Associated Press also named the two on their postseason announcements. 
 
Newcomer Austin Hopp was also honored on the Phil Steele FCS All-Freshman Second Team.
 
DE Khalen Saunders, 6-2, 310, Sr. St. Louis, Mo., Parkway Central
 
2018 Associated Press All-American … 2018 STATS FCS First Team All-American … 2018 First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference …  2018 Buck Buchanan Award watchlist … three-year starter …  third on team in tackles with 72 … added 13.0 TFLs for 57 yards lost (ranks fifth in the Valley) … second on team and sixth in the Valley in sacks (6.5) … tied as the team leader in QB hurries (5) … career-high 11 tackles vs. NDSU … touchdown on first career reception vs. Youngstown State
 
 
LB Pete Swenson, 6-3, 230, Sr., Mason City, Iowa, Clear Lake
 
2018 Associated Press All-American … 2018 STATS FCS Second Team All-American … 2018 First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference … 2018 Buck Buchanan Award watchlist … two-year starter … sacked the opposing quarterback in all but one game this season … ranks third in the FCS, leads the MVFC in sacks (14.5) … leads nation in TFLs (24.5 for a combined 109 yards loss) … team leader with seven QB hurries … ties for third in MVFC in forced fumbles (3) … finished year with 60 tackles
 
OL Austin Hopp, 6-5, 280, R-Fr., Minnetonka, Minn., Minnetonka
 
Started every game this season … helped Western to the third best passing offense in the Valley, 22nd in the nation … Missouri Valley Offensive Lineman of the Week (Oct. 22), aided  the Leathernecks to a season-high 565 yards of total offense with three pancakes vs. Missouri State
 
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