D2CCA All-Super Region 4 Teams

GOLDEN, Colo. - Repeat Offensive Player of the Year John Matocha headlines a program-record 11 Colorado School of Mines selections on the D2CCA All-Super Region 4 teams announced Thursday.

#1 Mines (12-0) dominated the all-region picks with 10 first-team selections. Tackle Levi Johnson, center Steele Petty, and receiver Max McLeod joined Matocha on the offensive side of the ball, linebackers Adrian Moreno and Nolan Reeve, nose tackle Kyle Bahnsen, and cornerback Jackson Zimmermann were defensive first-teamers, and kicker Hunter Pearson and punter Blake Doud were first-team specialists; safety Jaden Williams was selected a second-team all-region.  

The Orediggers' 11 honorees mark a program best in the history of the awards. The group has led Mines to a 12-0 record, this weekend's NCAA quarterfinals, a fifth consecutive RMAC title, and the #1 poll ranking for the first time in program history in 2023.

Matocha, a Harlon Hill Award finalist, led SR4 and ranks in the top-five nationally in virtually every passing category, and leads D-II in quarterback rating at 180.0. He has thrown for 3,511 yards and 39 touchdowns, breaking multiple career records at the program, conference, and NCAA levels along the way. Matocha was also the RMAC Offensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All-RMAC selection. It is Matocha's third career all-region selection going with honors in 2019 and 2022.

Johnson, a repeat D2CCA first-teamer, is a Gene Upshaw Award finalist as D-II's top lineman as he has protected Matocha over his last 36 consecutive starts. Joining Johnson as an offensive line first-team selection is Petty, a first-time honoree, who moved from guard to center this season and has excelled at his new spot, with 28 consecutive starts across both positions. Both Johnson and Petty earned First-Team All-RMAC honors this season, and with the line leading the way, Mines' offense ranks first in the nation in scoring at 51.5 points per game and is second in total yards, and also produced two all-RMAC running backs in Noah Roper and Landon Walker. 

McLeod, a first-time all-region selection, has been D-II's best receiver in 2023, leading the nation in receiving yards per game at 118.1 as he has compiled 1,417 yards and 16 touchdowns. A First-Team All-RMAC pick, McLeod's electric season includes nine 100+ yard and two 150+ yard games, and he has a run of six consecutive games with a touchdown heading into this weekend, catching 13 in that span. McLeod is coming off a career-best 12-catch, 215-yard performance in the NCAA Second Round vs. Augustana.

Moreno, a first-time honoree, has led a dominating Mines rushing defense from his middle linebacker spot. The First-Team All-RMAC pick has 41 total tackles, 3.5 for a loss, and a sack as he has keyed a defense that is fourth nationally in rushing yards allowed with 65.5 per game, and third in third-down conversion defense at 25.3 percent.

Reeve, the RMAC Defensive Player of the Year, earns his second career all-region nod with an impressive senior campaign that has included 47 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, and five total turnovers. Reeve has three forced fumbles and two recoveries, including a touchdown against Augustana, and has been on fire heading into the postseason with nine tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries in his last two games.

Bahnsen, a first-time honoree, has been a force at nose tackle in the Orediggers' 3-4 system, earning First-Team All-RMAC honors there as one of the nation's premier stoppers. Bahnen has 22 total tackles, 5.5 for a loss, and 4.0 sacks, anchoring a front seven that has limited opponents to less than 100 rushing yards in eight consecutive games, including single digits or less in four games this season.

Zimmermann has had a breakout first season starting at cornerback, earning First-Team All-RMAC honors with a conference-leading six interceptions. He has 26 total tackles with 13 passes defended, and ranks eighth nationally in interceptions per game. Zimmermann has been a leader in a secondary that ranks in the top-10 nationally in passing efficiency defense and scoring defense.

Pearson, in his only season as an Oredigger as a graduate transfer from Virginia, earned the starting placekicker job and won First-Team All-RMAC honors converting 84-of-86 PATs and 6-of-10 field goals in 2023. A Fred Mitchell Award watchlist member, Pearson led Super Region 4 kickers in scoring this season with 102 points.

Doud, also a first-season starter at punter, has been a weapon for the Orediggers with a region-best 46.5 yards per punt. A two-time national specialist of the week this year, Doud has put 17 of 36 punts inside the 20 with 13 over 50 yards. He would lead the nation in punting average but is just shy of the minimum number of punts per game to be ranked. Doud was a First-Team All-RMAC honoree, as well.

Williams, a First-Team All-RMAC safety, earns his first all-region award after anchoring Mines' secondary with 32 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and a fumble recovery. An all-timer at safety for the Orediggers, Williams has been one of the team's most durable and consistent players over his four seasons with 211 career tackles, 10 interceptions, and 15 total turnovers. 

Mines will host Central Washington Saturday in the NCAA quarterfinals at noon.