This release from Iowa Sports Information:

Three members of the undefeated University of Iowa football team have been named to the cbssports.com mid-season first all-America team. Offensive lineman Dace Richardson and defenders Pat Angerer and Tyler Sash were picked on the team. They were the only Big Ten players named to the first team.

Richardson is a 6-5, 305-pound senior guard from Wheaton, IL. He has started five games and has been a significant contributor in the Hawkeye line all season. He is back in the lineup following two straight injury filled seasons.

Angerer, a 6-1, 235-pound senior, is Iowa’s leading tackler with 68. The Bettendorf, IA, native was named national Defensive Player of the Week following Iowa’s win at Penn State.

Sash is a 6-1, 210-pound sophomore from Oskaloosa, IA.  He has five interceptions this season. He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following Iowa’s win over Iowa State. He’s totaled 52 tackles this season.

That is such an amazing accomplishment for Richardson.  Well, I guess technically it’s not an accomplishment to be named to a mid-season AA team…but when you have lost the better part of two seasons with a devastating knee injury, and one year ago your head coach was not positive about your ever playing again, I guess we should call it an accomplishment.

Also, high praise for both Pat Angerer and Tyler Sash.  Sash seems like a no brainer, as the ball hawk from Oskaloosa has been everywhere this year.  And every time I read that he is just a sophomore, I have to rub my eyes to make sure I am reading that correctly.  With regards to Angerer, Iowa sure has had its share of amazing linebackers through the years.  I know they call Penn State ‘Linebacker U’ but we used to read books by lamps filled with oil and wicks, too.

Tags: Dace Richardson, Pat Angerer, Tyler Sash