Wednesday, December 13, 2017
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

NEW YORK – San Diego defensive end Jonathan Petersen continued to grab postseason accolades Friday, earning First-Team All-America honors from Phil Steele's FCS All-America.

The Associated Press FCS All-America Teams are the first set national postseason teams to be announced. Also to be announced this offseason are the Walter Camp, STATS FCS, FCS ADA and AFCA teams.

Jonathan Petersen, San Diego

• Phil Steele FCS All-America First Team
• Associated Press FCS All-America First Team
  
• College Sports Madness FCS All-America First Team
• STATS Buck Buchanan Award, fourth place

Petersen, the unanimous choice for the 2017 PFL Defensive Player of the Year honor, led the FCS in sacks (18, 1.38 per game) and tackles for loss (25.5, 2.0 per game).  He ranked second in the FCS in forced fumbles (7, 0.54).  A STATS Buck Buchanan Award Finalist, he finished fourth in voting out of 25 candidates.  With his three first half sacks against North Dakota State on December 2^nd, he became the all-time FCS leader in sacks with 44.

Ross Dwelley, San Diego

• Associated Press FCS All-America Third Team

Dwelley, a First Team All-PFL pick, finished his season with 50 receptions for 663 yards and 10 touchdowns despite missing almost two full games after dislocating a finger early in the UC Davis contest.  His 10 touchdown receptions led all tight ends in the FCS this season.  He totaled five games with six or more receptions with a season-high 7 catches against Drake for 95 yards and one score.  In the first round playoff win at Northern Arizona he hauled in six balls for 74 yards with two touchdowns (26 & 13 yards).  His four-year totals finished at 197 receptions (#3 all-time at USD) for 2,305 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Daniel Smith, Campbell

• STATS Jerry Rice Award, fourth place

Smith finished the 2017 regular season with the fourth-most rushing yards in the country, with his 1,272 yards on the ground leading all FCS freshmen and quarterbacks. Smith also leads the nation in rush yards per carry (9.13), while standing second in rushing yards per game, fifth in points responsible for per game, ninth in total offense, 11th in points responsible for, 11th in rushing touchdowns, 17th in all-purpose yards, 18th in total touchdowns, 20th in passing yards per completion and 24th in scoring.