Dan Carr/Asst. AD for Media Relations
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Lincoln all-purpose back Tori Hicks was named to the All-MIAA third team while seven other members of the LU football team were named all-league honorable mention for the 2021 season.
Hicks did a little bit of everything for the Blue Tigers, including scoring three touchdowns as a rusher and one as a receiver. Hicks, who rushed for 170 yards against Central Missouri, totaled over 100 all-purpose yards in nearly every game this season, finishing fifth in the MIAA with 110.3 all-purpose yards per contest. Hicks additionally was fourth in the conference in kick returns (17.1) and fourth in combined kick return yardage (480), with the latter total ranking as the 47th-best mark in NCAA Division II.
In addition to Hicks, the MIAA bestowed honorable mention status upon seven other Blue Tigers: Elliott Albert (DB), Winston Ausmer (P/KR), Hosea Franklin (RB), Jaylon Mosley (LB), TeAndre Skinner (LB), Cyril Spells (OL) and Zyan Thomas-King (DB).
Albert finished second in the MIAA in passes defended, breaking up seven attempts while recording three interceptions. Albert made 78 tackles, the second-most among the Blue Tigers and the eighth-most among MIAA players, including 3.5 tackles for loss. Albert, who also recovered a fumble, ended the year 53rd in NCAA Division II in passes defended.
Ausmer led the MIAA in punt return average with 16.7 yards on nine attempts. Ausmer also averaged 12.3 yards on kick returns, and was also a threat in the receiving game, catching a team-high 34 passes for 531 yards and six touchdowns.
Despite playing in only nine games, Franklin finished third in the MIAA among running backs with 781 yards. Franklin scored seven rushing touchdowns, tied for sixth-most by any MIAA rusher, while his 86.8 yards per contest ranked third.
Mosley led Lincoln with 79 tackles, including 46 solo, and notched two quarterback hurries, 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception. Mosley was seventh in the MIAA and 60th in the country in total tackles, and he also ended the season 10th in the MIAA in solo tackles.
Skinner, who had 5.5 tackles for loss, finished third on the team with 66 total tackles, 43 of which were solo takedowns. Skinner, who was 13th in the MIAA in tackles, additionally had two sacks and a safety to go with a blocked kick and a hurry.
Spells earned All-MIAA honorable mention status for the second-straight season after starting every game at center for the Blue Tigers. His blocking against Northeastern State led to Lincoln breaking single game individual and team records for passing yards, and tie single game records for touchdown passes and offensive plays.
Thomas-King made 45 tackles this season, finishing fifth on the team in that stat, and also broke up four passes. 32 of his tackles were solo efforts, and he additionally posted a hurry.
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