Two Tigers Earn All-American, All-West Region

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Dec. 10, 2008) – The d3football.com Division III All-American and All-West Region Football Teams have been announced and a pair of Tigers appeared on the First Team All-West Region with Sam Emerson earning a spot on the offensive side of the ball while punter Alex Groh was named as a defensive player. Additionally Groh was named a First-Team All-American for the second consecutive year while Emerson garnered Second Team AA recognition.

Emerson was a four year starting guard for Occidental who played a huge role throughout his career. The Oxy quarterbacks were sacked just eight times during this season in large part to Emerson’s blocking. His presence on the front line was solid during the entirety of  his career, with this season especially standing out. Emerson was always on his man and protected Justin Goltz in the pocket while opening up holes for the Tigers' running game. He was awarded a First Team All-SCIAC recognition in 2008 and was a Second Team All SCIAC recipient in 2006.

Groh was the nation's leading punter a year ago and has continued to play a key role for the Oxy special teams this season. He punted in each of the 10 games this year and averaged 43.1 yards per punt, which leads the conference. Until the post season junior punter was ranked second in the nation (43.1 yards per punt) with his longest at 61 yards. After the post season he fell off the charts as his season totals do not meet the minimum requirements for ranking purposes. Groh put the ball inside the 20 yard line 16 times and had five touchbacks. He also added a 55-yard kick off this season. During both of the past two seasons he earned First Team All-SCIAC honors.

Occidental finished the season ranked #15 after posting a 9-1 record, going undefeated during the regular season, with a 6-0 SCIAC mark. The Tigers claimed their fourth conference title in five years.