A pair of University of South Dakota football standouts are gaining national attention for their efforts this season.
South Dakota junior Miles Bergner has been named to both the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS Place-kicker Award Watch List and Punter Award Watch List announced Wednesday. In addition, defensive end Andrew Van Ginkel has been named to the CFPA FCS National Freshman Performer of the Year Watch List. The award winners will be announced Jan. 13.
Bergner is one of 34 place-kickers and one of 34 punters on the list. Van Ginkel is the only defensive lineman selected to the 32-person freshmen list.
Bergner has made 14 of 22 field goal attempts and all 27 extra point attempts. He is the Coyotes’ leading scorer with 69 points. Bergner’s 14 field goals rank 10th nationally. He’s made five kicks of at least 45 yards including a 53-yarder against Missouri State. He also kicked the game-winner in a 24-21 victory at North Dakota State.
Punting wise, Bergner ranks 11th nationally with a 43.3-yard average. He has a net average of 39 yards. He has pinned 17 of 51 punts inside the 20-yard line and has 14 punts of at least 50 yards. His season long is 63 yards.
Van Ginkel, who is also on the Defensive End/Defensive Tackle Watch List, leads South Dakota with 9.0 sacks and 17.0 tackles-for-loss this season. His 52 tackles rank fifth on the team. Van Ginkel ranks second in the Valley and eighth nationally in tackles-for-loss. He ranks second in the Valley and ninth nationally in sacks. His three fumble recoveries are second-most nationally.
