FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: January 18, 2008
CONTACT: Jeff Duggan, SID
PHONE: (303) 273-3095

CSM football lands six on 2007 NFF All-Colorado Team

GOLDEN, Colo. - Six players from the Colorado School of Mines football team have been named to the 2007 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame - Colorado Chapter All-Colorado Team, as announced today by the NFF Colorado Chapter media relations office.

Derek Dykstra and Stephen Immel were both First Team selections on offense while Drew Ferren, Marc Schiechl and Marin Richardson garnered First Team accolades on defense. Kevin Folly-Kossi earned recognition on the Second Team defense, as well.

A 6'3", 200-lb. senior wide receiver from Seibert, Colo. (Hi-Plains H.S.), Dykstra led the Orediggers in receptions (52), receiving yards (802), yards per catch (15.4) and touchdown receptions (seven) in nine games played last fall. A 2007 First Team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) selection, Dykstra finished third in the RMAC in receiving yards per game (89.1), fourth in receptions per game (5.78), sixth in both all purpose yards per game (91.1) & points per game (4.9) and eighth in scoring (44 points). Dykstra, who played in the 2008 Valero Cactus Bowl (NCAA Division II post-season all-star football game) on January 11th, also had seven punt returns for 21 yards (3.0 yards per return) in 2007. For his career, Dykstra recorded 170 receptions for 2,122 yards (12.5 yards per catch) and 14 touchdowns. A Second Team All-RMAC pick in 2006 and the recipient of Honorable Mention All-RMAC recognition in 2005, Dykstra had 21 career punt returns for 143 yards (6.8 yards per return). Dykstra also served as a kickoff returner and long snapper during his career at CSM.

A 6'6", 330-lb. senior offensive lineman from Richardson, Texas (J.J. Pearce H.S.), Immel was also named Third Team All-Southwest Region (NCAA Division II) by Don Hansen's Football Gazette in 2007. Immel, who earned recognition on the 2007 Pre-Season All-RMAC team, went on to garner First Team All-RMAC accolades last fall as the Orediggers led the RMAC in passing offense (247.8 ypg). During his junior season in 2006, Immel helped to pave the way for the Orediggers' first 1,000-yard rusher since 1939. A four-year starter at right guard, Immel helped guide CSM's 2005 offense that finished 12th nationally in total offense and sixth in the country in passing offense. During Immel's redshirt freshman season on the CSM offensive line in 2004, the Orediggers led the country in passing offense and finished second in the nation in total offense.

Ferren, a 6'3", 205-lb. junior safety from Lyons, Colo. (Lyons H.S.), also garnered First Team All-RMAC accolades in 2007. Ferren led CSM and tied for second in the RMAC with five interceptions (one touchdown) last fall. Ferren concluded the 2007 season ranked third on the team in solo tackles (35) and fourth in both total tackles (64) and assisted tackles (tied - 29). Ferren, who has picked off opposing quarterbacks eight times during his first three seasons at CSM, also earned Second Team Academic All-RMAC recognition in 2007.

A 6'3", 220-lb. redshirt freshman defensive end from Lakewood, Colo. (Bear Creek H.S.), Schiechl also earned Second Team All-RMAC and RMAC Defensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2007. Schiechl, who established new individual single-season school records for tackles-for-a-loss (17.5) and sacks (13.5) in 2007, also received Second Team All-Southwest Region laurels in 2007. Schiechl, who concluded the 2007 campaign with 47 total tackles (18 solo) and one forced fumble, also established a new individual single-game school record for sacks (4.0) last fall.

Richardson, a 6'2", 250-lb. senior defensive end from Colorado Springs, Colo. (Mitchell H.S.), finished second on the Orediggers and third (tied) in the conference in sacks (8.0) en route to earning First Team All-RMAC recognition in 2007. Richardson, who had 37 total tackles (13 solo) in 2007, was also fourth on the team in tackles for a loss (8.5). A Second Team All-RMAC pick in 2005 and 2006, Richardson is the all-time career leader in sacks (21.5) at Mines. Richardson, who was selected as the RMAC's Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2004, also saw time as a short-yardage running back in 2007 (five touchdowns). Richardson's selection to the 2007 NFF All-Colorado Team marks the third time in as many seasons that he has garnered such recognition (Second Team NFF All-Colorado selection in 2005 and 2006).

A 5'9", 180-lb. junior cornerback from Abidjan, Ivory Coast (Blaise Pascal French H.S.), Folly-Kossi also earned Second Team All-RMAC recognition in 2007. Folly-Kossi, who collected 34 total tackles (24 solo) in 2007, led CSM in passes defended (nine) and blocked kicks (three) last fall. Folly-Kossi earned recognition on the Academic All-RMAC Honor Roll in 2007, as well. Since transferring to Mines from Santa Monica J.C. prior to the 2006 season, Folly-Kossi has registered 18 total passes defended in two seasons with the Orediggers.

Colorado School of Mines concluded the 2007 season with a 7-5 overall record and competed in the 2007 Dixie Rotary Bowl (one of two sanctioned NCAA Division II bowl games) on December 1st in St. George, Utah. The Orediggers went 6-2 in the RMAC this fall and secured their sixth winning season in the past seven years.

For more information, please visit http://athletics.mines.edu or contact CSM Sports Information Director Jeff Duggan at jduggan@mines.edu.

-- OREDIGGERS --