Widener places three players on All-American team

Jordan Powell, Casey Kerschner and Vince Char were the backbone of a Widener defense that allowed just 15.9 points per game and had the Pride one win from another Middle Atlantic Conference title and a trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Friday night, the three players were rewarded for their efforts.

Powell, Kerschner and Char were to the D3football.com All-America team. Powell earned first-team honors at cornerback. Kerschner was a second-team selection at defensive end and Char was an honorable mention pick at defensive tackle.

Powell, a junior from Morristown, N.J., led Division III with six defensive touchdowns. He also tied for the national lead with four fumble recoveries. He led the MAC in passes defended and tied for the lead with six interceptions.

This is the latest in a long honors for Powell. He list of postseason was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America first team. He was an AP Little All-America second team selection, D3football.com All-East pick and the MAC Defensive Player of the Year.

Kerschner led the Pride (7-4 overall, 7-2 MAC) with 100 tackles and was 11th nationally in sacks (12) and fifth in tackles for loss (22). He also had five pass breakups and four quarterback hurries. He was a second-team AFCA All-American, a D3football.com All-East selection and AllMAC first team.

Char led the MAC in tackles for loss (24) and sacks (14.5). He was third and fourth nationally in those categories respectively. He had six sacks against King’s, the most by any player at all NCAA levels. Char finished the season with 86 tackles and three quarterback hurries. He also earned D3football.com All-Region and AllMAC honors.