COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Black Hills State football had 12 named RMAC All-Conference, including Defensive Freshman of the Year Cooper Brown, the RMAC announced Thursday afternoon.

"I couldn't be more happy for our students athletes who were names to All-RMAC teams," said Head Coach Josh Breske. "Last season we had one first team selection and 12 honorable mentions. It's encouraging to see the other coaches in the conference recognize our improvement and are willing to vote for our young men."

Along with Brown's Freshman of the Year nod, First Team honorees included Sam Ambrogio on the offensive and Doodles Quinones on defense. Nolan Susel made Second Team on offense while the defensive side had both Ryder Blair and Aaron Thiele.

Seven were named All-RMAC Honorable mention, including Brown, Nate Clay, Zechariah Rodriguez-Brown, Bailey Rosenstrauch, Lovenski Simon, Trey Tremblay and Derek Webster.

"Ultimately, it's a testament to all the hard work that these players put in through the 354 days we're not on the field competing in games," Breske added. "These honors are just further validation to our young men that their efforts matter."

Defensive Freshman of the Year
Cooper Brown, R-Fr., DE
Brown made an immediate impact on the field in 2022 after redshirting in 2021. He totaled 45 tackles, 25 of the solo and 10.5 for loss which tied for seventh in the RMAC while his 7.5 sacks ranked third in the league.

His two fumble recoveries not only tied him for first in the RMAC, but tied 20th in the nation. Additionally, Brown totaled five quarterback hurries which was good for second on the team and a pair of pass breakups.

"It's awesome to see guys like Cooper Brown set goals of being the Defensive Freshman of the Year and earn it as well." Said Breske. "We will be returning a very talented team who has a taste of winning and wants more. My staff and I are extremely proud of our young men and their commitment to winning on and off the field."

First Team All-RMAC – Offense
Sam Ambrogio, Gr., OL
Ambrogio was a leading member of the 2022 offensive line that helped the team average 170.1 rush yards per game, which ranked second in the RMAC, and 28.2 pts per game. The graduate student only allowed two sacks as he started all 11 games.

First Team All-RMAC – Defense
Doodles Quinones, So., S
Quinones totaled 16 tackles on the season which ranked 16th in the RMAC while his 37 solo tackles tied him for eighth. He tied for the league lead with two fumble recoveries on the season, and his eight breakups ranked tied for fourth.

He also totaled 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a quarterback hurry, and an interception.

Second Team All-RMAC – Offense
Nolan Susel, Gr., RB
Susel had a career-best season as a graduate student, finishing third in the RMAC with 67.5 rushing yards per game and 743 total rushing yards. He also finished second with 13 rushing touchdowns – a total that also ranked 15th in the nation.

His 14 total touchdowns this season ranked second in the RMAC and 20th in the nation, while Susel also averaged 4.5 yards per carry and had a long run of 77 yards. Susel added 141 yards receiving and a receiving touchdown, while also completing a passing TD.

Second Team All-RMAC – Defense
Ryder Blair, Jr., LB
Blair continues to build his defensive resume, finishing sixth in the RMAC in tackles (80), third in solo tackles (47), 11th in tackles for loss (9.5), and finished top-25 in the RMAC with four sacks, five pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Blair also added a blocked kick and four quarterback hurries.

Aaron Thiele, So., LB
Thiele had a similarly impressive campaign, finishing fourth in the RMAC in tackles (81), sixth in solo tackles (44), and was top-25 with six tackles for loss.

He also accumulated .5 sacks, three breakups, an interception and two quarterback hurries.

All-RMAC Honorable Mention
Cooper Brown, R-Fr., DE
The 2022 RMAC Defensive Freshman of the Year made an immediate impact on the field in 2022 after redshirting in 2021. He totaled 45 tackles, 25 of the solo and 10.5 for loss which tied for seventh in the RMAC while his 7.5 sacks ranked third in the league.

His two fumble recoveries not only tied him for first in the RMAC, but tied 20th in the nation. Additionally, Brown totaled five quarterback hurries which was good for second on the team and a pair of pass breakups.

Nate Clay, Jr., OL
Clay was an 11-game starter on the 2022 offensive line that helped the team average 170.1 rush yards per game, which ranked second in the RMAC, and 28.2 pts per game.

Zechariah Rodriguez-Brown, So., CB
Rodriguez-Brown hauled in three interceptions this season which finished tied for fifth in the RMAC, while his five breakups ranked in the top-25. He also made 11 tackles on the season and two tackles for loss.

Bailey Rosenstrauch, Gr., S
In his final season as a Yellow Jacket and one of the team leaders, Rosenstrauch tallied 43 tackles and 24 solo tackles, both ranking top-25 in the RMAC. He added .5 tackles for loss and three breakups in his graduate season.

Lovenski Simon, So., CB
Simon is another member of the Yellow Jacket secondary who continues to take steps forward. This season he totaled 12 breakups which ranks third in the RMAC while his two interceptions is tied for 12th, one of which he returned for a touchdown against Adams State.

The sophomore also added 27 tackles, 22 solo tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a blocked kick.

Trey Tremblay, So., OL
Tremblay was an 11-game starter on the 2022 offensive line that helped the team average 170.1 rush yards per game, which ranked second in the RMAC, and 28.2 pts per game.

Derek Webster, So., P
Transferring to the Yellow Jackets ahead of the season, the sophomore punter was among the league leaders in nearly every punting category, including his 40.4-yard punt average which ranked third in the RMAC and 18th in the nation.

He also finished second in the RMAC in total punts (57), longest punt (69 yards), and fair catches (13). His 18 punts inside the 20-yard line ranked him first in the conference and his seven punts of 50+ yards tied for sixth.