Four Dukes Named TSN Mid-Major All-Americans

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne wide receiver Bruce Hocker (Upper Marlboro, Md. / Eleanor Roosevelt), linebacker Derron Thomas (Forrestville, Md. / Eleanor Roosevelt*), guard Hatim Chafi (Rockville, Md. / Richard Montgomery) and punter David Kovalcik (Chantilly, Va. / Chantilly) were all named to the 2007 Sports Network Mid-Major All-American Team announced today. [* see below]

Editors Note: All four players are from the Washington, D.C. area. Hocker and Thomas are both Eleanor Roosevelt H.S. alums; DU's 2007 team included 10 Raiders. All DU honorees are seniors, athletically. For complete list, please click here

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Bruce Hocker, fresh off an appearance in the Hula Bowl last weekend, was named to the first team along with Thomas. Chafi and Kovalcik earned spots on the second team. All four were first team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Football League picks this season.

Hocker, a three-year starter, finished at Duquesne as the career record holder for receptions with 162. His 2,595 yards and 33 touchdowns rank second on DU's all-time lists.

Hocker, who had a touchdown reception for the East as the only FCS non-scholarship player in this year's Hula Bowl, caught 54 passes for 668 yards and nine touchdowns this season in helping the Dukes to a 6-4 record.

Derron Thomas, a graduate student transfer from Pitt, led the Dukes with 106 tackles (47 solo). His 10.6 tackles per game led the MAAC and ranked 22nd nationally.

Hatim Chafi, a two-year starter on the offensive line, helped the Dukes average 406.8 yards and 26.9 points per game.

David Kovalcik was a four-year starter at punter for the Dukes. He finished his career second on DU's all-time list for total punts (207) and punting average (37.4). His 40.9 yards per punt in 2007 set a new school single-season record.

San Diego landed a record 11 players on the Sports Network Mid-Major All-America first and second teams, with Dayton placing seven. Wagner had five players named at seven positions while Duquesne, Albany, Central Connecticut State, Iona and Robert Morris each had four players honored.