Amherst's Smith Named Don Hansen's Football Gazette NCAA Division III East Third-Team All-Region; Three Jeffs Grab Honorable Mention Honors

January 9, 2006

AMHERST, MA - Amherst College junior center Ryan Smith (Muskego, WI/Muskego) was named Don Hansen's Football Gazette Division III East Third-Team All-Region, while seniors L.J. Spinnato (Madison, CT/Daniel Hand) and Ngai Otieno (Gloucester, MA/Tabor Acad.) and junior Mark Hannon (Glen Rock, NJ/Glen Rock) grabbed honorable mention recognition.

Having already earned First-Team All-NESCAC and D3football.com Third-Team All-East Region honors, Smith anchored the Jeffs' offensive line, which paved the way for one of the NESCAC's top offensive units (391.5 ypg). A three-year starter for Amherst, his play has kept the Amherst offense among the best in the region throughout his career.

Spinnato claimed his second straight First-Team All-NESCAC award and D3football.com Third-Team All-East Region plaudits after a career-season at nose guard. He amassed 49 tackles, good for 31st in the conference and fourth on the team, and also racked up 4.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick. He led the Jeffs to the fifth-ranked defense in the nation, surrendering 240.1 yards per game and only 12.3 points per game.

Otieno also took home first-team all-conference honors after finishing second in the conference in rushing with 86.8 yards per game. He totaled 694 yards on 118 carries, good for an outstanding 5.9 yards per carry average, and found the end zone four times. Otieno also finished third in the conference in all-purpose yardage with 98.1 yards per game.

Hannon grabs honorable mention honors as an all-purpose threat, was named ECAC East Divison III All-Star honorable mention, was tabbed the NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year and claimed first-team all-conference plaudits as a wide receiver and a return specialist after leading the NESCAC in all-purpose yards (1,185), touchdowns (10) and punt return average (10.9). He also ranked among the conference leaders in several other categories including receptions (32), receiving yards (516) and punt average (33.9). A versatile threat all season, Hannon lined up at wide receiver, running back, quarterback and punt and kick returner, and he found the end zone in a variety of ways, hauling in four through the air, scoring five on the ground and one by way of punt return.

Don Hansen's Football Gazette NCAA Divison III East All-Region Teams