D2Football.com Release

LIBERTY, MO – IUP football players Harvie Tuck (Akron, OH/St. Vincent-St. Mary), Dan Matha (Erie/McDowell) and Johnny Franco (Altoona/Tyrone) have each been named 2012 D2Football.com All-Americans as it was announced on Thursday morning.

Each player was named honorable mention, their third All-American honor of the postseason.

A senior running back, Tuck was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,688 yards and 16 touchdowns. Hampered by an injury over the last five games of the season, he finished 11 in the nation by averaging 127 yards per game. His, 4,341 career rushing yards is second all-time at IUP.

Matha helped pave the way for Tuck from his right tackle spot, leading a rushing attack that ranked 10th in Division II with 269 rushing yards per game. The senior was a Gene Upshaw Lineman of the Year candidate and the top player for a unit that blocked for two 1,000 yard rushers in 2012.

Franco was the leader of arguably the top defense in Division II. The senior saw action at both safety spots, finishing the year with 62 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, a sack and a forced fumble. His career-high six interceptions were tied for ninth in the nation.

The trio has also been named second team All-Americans by Daktronics and third team AP Little All-America's.

The D2Football.com All-America Team was selected by the staff of D2Football.com with input from coaches, scouts, media members, and sports information directors from around the country.

D2Football.com has named an All-America Team since its inception in 2000.