Thursday, December 10, 2015
by Humboldt State Athletic Communications

WACO, Texas – Humboldt State sophomore running back Ja'Quan Gardner added to his already impressive list of postseason honors as he was named to the American Football Coaches Association All-America (AFCA) Team Thursday.

The AFCA All-America team consists of 11 offensive and defensive representatives and three specialists. Award recipients are chosen exclusively by coaches. Gardner was the only Great Northwest Athletic Conference representative on the list and was one of five underclassmen selected. He is the first AFCA All-American Team selection from HSU since Alex Markarian earned the honor last year and is the 11th GNAC player to be named to the squad.
 
The Ceres, Calif., native was arguably one of the nation's top football players during the 2015 season. Gardner was tabbed a Harlon Hill finalist, a trophy awarded to the nation's most valuable player, and earned GNAC Offensive Player of the Year and D2CCA All-Region accolades.
 
Gardner was a five-time GNAC Football Player of the Week and was a unanimous First Team All-GNAC selection. He set a GNAC single season record with 2,266 rushing yards, a total which currently leads NCAA Division II. He also leads the nation with 25 rushing touchdowns and 188.8 rushing yards per game and is second in the nation with an average of 197.9 all-purpose yards per game. Gardner rushed for 200 or more yards in five games, topped by a 305-yard performance against Azusa Pacific on Oct. 10.

Gardner led Humboldt State to a 10-2 record, their first GNAC championship since 2009 and their first postseason appearance since 1968. The Lumberjacks won their opening round playoff game over Augustana (S.D.), 45-31, before bowing out in the second round, 54-7, to No. 1 ranked Northwest Missouri State.