Panther football: Cook and Sapp crack STATS Perform FCS All-American teams
12/20/2022 11:15:00 AM | Football
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI defensive back Benny Sapp III and placekicker Matthew Cook have been named STATS Perform FCS All-Americans, as announced on Tuesday morning.
Sapp, a first time STATS Perform All-American honoree was named to the second team defense, while Cook picked up third team honors, his second consecutive season earning recognition after a second team nod last fall. The Panther duo are just two of 14 players from the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) to earn recognition from STATS Perform.
Sapp, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and senior captain for the 2022 Panthers, recorded 54 tackles with one forced fumble this season, while also tying for the league-lead with four interceptions . He became the first Panther to be named to the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl watch list and accepted an invitation to play in the Hula Bowl, and recently declared his entry for the 2023 NFL Draft.
A native son of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Cook made 14 of his 17 field goal attempts in 2022 with a season-long of 42 yards, setting a new UNI and MVFC record for career fields made with 67. He also broke UNI's program record for consecutive made PAT kicks with 124 after making all 45 kick attempts.
