WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – For just the second time in program history, a Lycoming College football player is a NCAA Division III statistical champion, as junior Tanner Troutman (Hegins, Pa./Tri-Valley) finished tied for the national lead in interceptions, the NCAA confirmed with the release of the final Division III statistics on Saturday, Dec. 21."Through his first three seasons, Troutman has accumulated 14 career interceptions"
Tanner Troutman intercepts against DelVal
Troutman, a First Team D3Football.com Preseason All-American, finished with eight interceptions in 10 games, where he tied with Montclair State's Matt Mancino at 0.8 picks per game. Brady Grayvold of Wisconsin-Whitewater finished with nine picks in 15 games to lead the Division III in total interceptions, but had an average of 0.6 per game. Drew Peterson of Albright and Shane Dierking of North Central each also had eight interceptions, but Peterson played in 11 games and Dierking in 14.
He is the first Warrior to lead a nation in an individual statistical category since 1986, when Larry Barretta led Division III in total offense, averaging 287.5 yards per game. The pair are the only individual national statistical leaders in school history, although, as a team, the Warriors led the nation in total defense twice (1975, ’83), rushing defense three times (1976, ’82, ’87) and scoring defense once (1999).
Overall, Troutman is third in the NCAA and amongst all college players at 0.8 interceptions per game, behind only Division II’s Darnell Evans of Shaw (1.1 per game) and Thomas Wolfe III of Fort Valley State (0.9).
The D3football.com First Team All-American and East Region Defensive Player of the Year also finished with 58 tackles, including 0.5 for a loss. The ninth defensive back in program history to earn All-American honors, Troutman earned two D3Football.com Team of the Week and Beyond Sport Network Team of the Week accolades, posting two interceptions in a win over nationally-ranked Delaware Valley and a school-record three against Stevenson.
He also broke up six passes on the season, helping him tie for the league lead with 14 passes defended (interceptions plus breakups) en route to earning All-American honors from both D3football.com and Beyond Sports Network (third team).
Through his first three seasons, Troutman has accumulated 14 career interceptions, the ninth-most in school history. He has a long way to go before reaching the school record, though, as Rick Bealer (1987-90) racked up 31 in his career, including 28 in the regular season, the third-most in NCAA Division III history.
The Warriors finished 7-3 overall and 7-2 in the MAC under sixth-year head coach Mike Clark. The team claimed a share of the 15th MAC title in school history, tying for first with Lebanon Valley. The team was once again led by its defense, which finished tops in the MAC, allowing a league-best 304.0 yards, 91.4 rushing yards and 18.3 points per game.
National Leaders (Interceptions)
Must have played in 75% of team’s games
1. Darnell Evans, Shaw (Div. II), 1.1
2. Thomas Wolfe III, Fort Valley State (Div. II), 0.9
3. Tanner Troutman, Lycoming (Div. III), 0.8
Matt Mancino, Montclair State (Div. III), 0.8
Stanley Burns, Bethel (NAIA), 0.8
