By John Murphy CSC Sports Information Director
Chadron State junior defensive lineman Hunter O’Connor has been named to the Lindy’s Sports 2023 National College Football Magazine Division II Preseason All-America First Team.
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O’Connor, a Broomfield, Colorado, native was tabbed First Team Defensive Line after recording 16 sacks during the 2022 season, ranking him as the national statistical runner-up in NCAA Division II.
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That figure broke the CSC single-season sack record held by Casey Beran and Scott Dolfi. O’Connor also recorded 24 tackles for loss, ranking him fourth in the nation.
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He led the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) in both categories.
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O’Connor was also selected to the D2Football.com Elite 100 List, AFCA 2nd Team All American, Don Hansen 2nd Team All-American, and named a finalist of the Cliff Harris award at the conclusion of the 2022 season.
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The RMAC had two other selections on the first-team. Returning Harlon Hill Trophy winner John Matocha of Colorado School of Mines was the first-team quarterback, while Daniel Bone of CSU-Pueblo earned first-team nods at defensive back.