November 21, 2006

Maroons Place 15 on All-UAA Team

CHICAGO -- University of Chicago senior defensive lineman Tom Miller (Chicago, Ill./ Marist), senior kick returner Austin Way (DeWitt, Mich./ DeWitt), and junior wide receiver Mike Albian (Darien, Ill./ Montini) earned first team accolades as the University Athletic Association today announced its 2006 All-Association Football Team.

In all, 15 Chicago players were chosen to the first, second, and honorable mention teams.

Miller, an All-UAA second team pick a year ago, collected 6.5 tackles-for-loss and 3.0 sacks to go along with 32 total tackles.

Way led the Maroons with 15 kickoff returns for a 16.9 yard average overall. In UAA play, he averaged 17.9 yards on 11 runbacks.

A repeat All-UAA first team honoree, Albian topped the Chicago receiving corps in receptions (39), yards (482), and touchdowns (4). He caught a team-best 14 passes in conference play.

Three offensive linemen -- senior center Mike Hawkins (Bridgeview, Ill./ Argo), senior guard Steve Holtzman (Burr Ridge, Ill./ Hinsdale South), and senior tackle Ben Potts (Valparaiso, Ind./ Valparaiso) -- were among eight Maroons to garner All-Association second team honors. The trio spearheaded a Chicago rushing attack with averaged 165.9 yards per contest.

Senior quarterback Matt Rinklin (New York, N.Y./ Fordham Prep), sophomore tailback Chuck Little (Plano, Texas/ St. Mark's), and sophomore wideout John Kiernan (Joliet, Ill./ Catholic) were also named to the second team.

The UAA leader in total offense (187.7), Rinklin passed for 1,444 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed for four scores. Little averaged 4.7 yards on 98 carries en route to a team-leading 460 rushing yards. He led the club with seven touchdowns. Chicago's second-leading receiver, Kiernan caught 34 passes for 436 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

On defense, senior safety Scott Johnson (Montgomery, Ill./ Oswego) and junior safety John Ryle (Chicago, Ill./ St. Patrick) represented the Maroons on the All-UAA second team.

Johnson ranked second on the team with 57 tackles and eight passes defended (seven breakups, one interception). Ryle led the Association in passes defended with 1.29 per game. He broke up six passes and picked off three.

Four Maroons garnered honorable mention recognition: senior tackle Joe Bufalino (Glen Ellyn, Ill./ Benet Academy), junior safety Mike Harriett (St. Charles, Ill./ North), junior linebacker Tony Insalaco (Mokena, Ill./ Lincoln-Way East), and freshman cornerback Chris Leamy (Glen Ellyn, Ill./ Glenbard South).

Chicago posted a 4-5 overall record this past season, including an 0-3 mark in UAA play.

2006 All-UAA Football Team