Nov. 18, 2006

University of Dayton senior linebacker John Hoppe (Northbrook, IL) and senior wide receiver Nick Ruhe (Ottawa, OH) were named First Team All- Pioneer Football League in an announced today by the league office. The selections was determined by a vote of the PFL's head coaches.

Hoppe was one of four unanimous All-PFL selections. League champion San Diego had the other three - Offensive Player of the Year Josh Johnson, co-Defensive Player of the Year Eric Bakhtiari and offensive lineman Jordan PaoPao were the other three.

Hoppe, who was also on the first team in 2005, led UD in solo tackles (40), tackles in the backfield (7.5), sacks (2.0, tied), passes broken up (4, tied), fumbles forced (2), recovered (2) and kicks blocked (1). He was second in total tackles (75) and third in interceptions (2, tied).

Ruhe led the PFL in receiving yards and yards per catch, with 49 receptions for a UD record 977 yards (19.9 avg.). His 97.7 yards-per-game were also fourth nationally in NCAA Division I-AA. He also was a second team all-league as a kick returner. He averaged 24.1 yards a kick return and led the PFL in punt returns (11.3 yards per return) and all-purpose yardage (167.3 yards per game).

Senior linebacker Brian Kelly (Cincinnati, OH) was also named Second Team All-PFL. Kelly led UD and the Pioneer Football League with 101 tackles. He also had two sacks (tied for team high) and 6.5 tackles in the backfield (second on the team). He was also Second Team All-PFL last season.