Mount Union quarterback Braxton Plunk is finalist for Gagliardi Trophy
Mount Union senior quarterback Braxton Plunk has been named one of four finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, presented by Jostens, given to the nation's top all-around football player in NCAA Division III.
Plunk, from Plant City, Fla., was named the Ohio Athletic Conference Bob Packard Offensive Back of the Year and All-OAC first-team for the third consecutive year. he led the OAC and is among the top five nationally in every major quarterback statistical category, including first in passing yards (3,921), second in points responsible for (300) and passing touchdowns (46).
Off the field, Plunk has a 3.4 grade point average as a marketing major with a minor in entrepreneur. A member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Plunk has volunteered for multiple organizations and functions, including Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, a domestic violence awareness event; Be the Match, to encourage students and staff to sign up for the Be the Match Registry; Read with a Raider, reading to a local elementary school, and volunteered at a local library.
The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993, recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award is named after the late John Gagliardi, Saint John's legendary Hall of Fame head football coach.
The other finalists are Mary Hardin-Baylor quarterback Kyle King, Bethel quarterback Jaran Roste, and North Central running back Ethan Greenfield. The winner will be announced Dec. 16, prior to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.
Eight Purple Raiders selected to D3Football.com All-Region team
Mount Union had eight players earn D3football.com All-Region 4 honors, highlighted by senior wide receiver Wayne Ruby Jr. and sophomore linebacker Rossy Moore, who both earned Player of the Year awards.
Ruby was named the Offensive Player of the Year, while Moore was named the Defensive Player of the Year.
Ruby has 88 receptions for 1,573 yards and a school-record 27 touchdowns. Ruby tied a career-best with four touchdown receptions against Salisbury in the opening round of this year's NCAA playoffs. Ruby, who was named the OAC Ed Sherman Receiver of the Year for the second consecutive year, is just four receiving touchdowns away from tying a Division III season record.
Moore leads the team with 10.5 sacks, to go along with 17.5 tackles for a loss. Moore recorded a safety against No. 8 Delaware Valley in the quarterfinals last week. Moore, who was named the OAC Gene Slaughter Linebacker of the Year, is one of the leaders of the Raider defense that leads the country in yards allowed per game (179.6) across all divisions and second in scoring defense (7.1 points per game allowed) in Division III.
Joining Ruby on the All-Region first-team offense were senior quarterback Braxton Plunk and senior guard Carson Barrett. Joining Moore on the first-team defense were senior lineman Duke Hill and senior defensive back Derrick Bradley.
Also earning All-Region honors were senior running back DeAndre Parker on the second-team offense and senior safety Jesse Vail on the third-team defense.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Mount Union football quarterback Braxton Plunk is Gagliardi finalist
