University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Five Earn Spots On MVFC All-Newcomer Team
11/29/2016 10:01:00 AM | Football
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The UNI football program had five student-athletes named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team today, proving that the future is bright for the Panthers.
Redshirt freshman Trevor Allen and true freshman Jalen Rima both earned spots on the offensive team while redshirt freshman Hezekiah Applegate and FBS transfers Elijah Campbell and Malcolm Washington were named to the defensive team. Campbell and Washington also earned All-MVFC second-team.
Allen and Rima both showed their versatility in their first year in the Purple and Old Gold, racking up a combined 1,116 all-purpose yards. They were two of just three players on the roster this season that had at least one rushing attempt, caught a pass and returned a kickoff.
Allen played in nine games in 2016, starting four. The hybrid running back/wide receiver was second on the team in receiving yards, finishing with 341 on 22 catches, averaging 15.5 yards per catch. His breakout game was against Missouri State when he had two catches for 108 yards, scoring his first collegiate touchdown on a 61-yard reception.
Rima, a football and track and field standout from Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, showed his speed this year, playing in all 11 games while starting the last two. He finished second on the team in all-purpose yards with 764 (305 receiving, 342 kick return, 23 rush). He scored four touchdowns this year, including two on special teams. His 94-yard punt return for a touchdown against Indiana State set a UNI record for longest punt return.
Applegate saw action in all 11 games, starting nine on the defensive line. He was second on the team in sacks with 4.0 for a loss of 12 yards, finishing 2016 with 33 total tackles. The Johnston, Iowa, native had 7.0 tackles for a loss of 21 yards. He opened his college debut with back-to-back games with career-high tackle total with seven against Iowa State and No. 14 Montana.
Campbell, a transfer from Northern Illinois, brought in 34 solo and eight assisted tackles in 2016, adding three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. His three interceptions happened in consecutive weeks against Missouri State, North Dakota State and Indiana State, returning his pick against the Bears 42 yards to the end zone.
Washington, who came to UNI from Fresno State, started seven games for UNI at cornerback after battling an injury early in the year. He led the team in interceptions with four and in just his second start of the season, had three tackles, one tackle for loss and a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown against Southern Illinois. Washington finished the season with 28 total tackles with 21 of them being solo.
