Dec. 12, 2006

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Two Wayne State University football players have earned Daktronics, Inc. Division II All-America honors by a vote of sports information directors from NCAA Division II football playing members.

Junior place-kicker David Chudzinski (Belleville, Mich.) was the top vote-getter at his position to earn First Team All-America accolades.

Chudzinski, the First Team All-GLIAC and All-Northwest Region kicker, set school records for field goals made in a season, extra points made in a season, consecutive extra points made in a season and career, and kicking points scored in a season. He made 10 of 11 field goals inside 40 yards (only missed a 38-yard attempt), and was four of five from beyond 40 yards, including a 49-yarder vs. Hillsdale. Chudzinski had seven touchbacks on kickoffs and average opponent start after a WSU kickoff was its 25. He led all GLIAC kickers in scoring, field goals made and field goal percentage, and was 100% on PATs.

Redshirt freshman running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) was named to the All-America Second Team squad. He was the only first-year player named to either squad as 26 seniors, 19 juniors, five sophomores and Bell were selected Daktronics, Inc. All-Americans.

Bell was named First Team All-GLIAC in addition to being voted GLIAC Freshman of the Year and GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year. He set the WSU single-season rushing mark and became the 14th player in NCAA D-II history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. Bell set the GLIAC record for rushing yards and all-purpose yards (for league games only) in a season. He rushed for more than 200 yards in a game four times (318 vs. Mercyhurst, 209 vs. Grand Valley, 278 vs. Hillsdale, 252 at Ferris State) and set school records for rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns and all-purpose yards in a season. Bell was a three-time GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week in 2006. In addition, his overall rushing total of 2,065 was the highest for a freshman running back in NCAA Division II history (breaking the mark of Johnny Bailey of 2,011 set in 1986 at Texas A&I [now Texas A&M-Kingsville]).

Chudzinski and Bell become the first WSU All-Americans since wide receiver Pierre Brown was an Associated Press Third Team selection following the 2000 season.