ST. LOUIS – Redshirt-sophomore linebacker Chris Kolarevic was named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Academic First-Team senior long snapper Joe Friedrich and senior defensive line Seth Thomas received Honorable Mention honors, the league announced Wednesday.
Kolarevic has a 3.96 GPA in Business Economics. He played in just nine games and recorded 79 total tackles. He earned two MVFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording four tackles and a sack against Weber State in his first game back from injury. He again earned POTW honors when he had an MVFC single-game high 19 tackles and a sack in the win over South Dakota.
He is currently third on the team in total tackles and also tallied 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, recovered a fumble and returned it 40 yards against North Dakota State and had a 28-yard interception returned for a touchdown against Western Illinois. He was named second-team all-conference earlier this week.
Friedrich is a triple major with a 3.76 in Business Marketing, Accounting and Management. He has started in all 12 games at long snapper this year. As a unit, the kicking team began the season with nine-consecutive field goals made and lead the league in made field goals, also having the three longest field goals in the MVFC at (50,49, and 45). UNI has not allowed a blocked all season. Friedrich has been an anchor for long snapping and for the Panther for three seasons.
Thomas is a quadruple major with a 3.45 GPA in Manufacturing Engineering Tech/ Technology Management, MET: Metal Casting, MET: Manufacturing Design and MET: Advanced Manufacturing. Thomas a two-year starter for the Panthers started every regular-season game this year. He recorded 39 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, seven pass breakups and six quarterback hurries.
UNI’s season continues Saturday in the second round of the FCS playoffs. The Panthers play on the road at South Dakota State.
