OTTAWA, Kan. – The 2023 All-KCAC Team have been released the conference office announced on Thursday morning. Ottawa University had 19 named to the teams. The KCAC Teams encompass the entire conference, not each division.

Wynton Ruth, a senior running back from Little Rock, Ark., was named First Team All-KCAC. Through 11 games this season, Ruth has rushed for 1,107 yards on 171 attempts. He is averaging 6.5 yard per carry and 100.6 rushing yards per game. Ruth has scored 11 rushing touchdowns. He has 13 receptions for 116 yards and one receiving touchdown. Ruth was named KCAC Offensive Player of the Week once this past season. He is ranked 17^th in the NAIA in total rushing attempts (171), fifth in rushing yards (1,107), 12^th in yards per game (100.6), 17^th in yards per rush (6.5), and 15^th in touchdowns (11). Ruth became OU's first 1,000 yard rusher since 2015 and is ranked ninth in the OU record book in single season rushing.

AJ Hemphill, a junior linebacker from Strasburg, Colo., earned First Team All-KCAC honors after being named Second Team All-KCAC a year ago. He leads the Braves in tackles with 125 (50-75), has 2.5 sacks, eight tackles, for loss, one forced fumble, and three pass break ups. Hemphill was named KCAC Defensive Player of the Week once this past season. He is ranked 25^th in the NAIA in solo tackles, third in assisted tackles (75), second in total tackles (125) and third in tackles per game (11.4).

Jayden Johnson, a freshman receiver from Jenks, Okla., was named Second Team All-KCAC. He leads the Braves in receptions with 43 and has 595 yards receiving. Johnson is averaging 54 receiving yards per game and has four touchdowns.

Daniel Sanchez, a junior offensive lineman from Dallas, Texas, earned Second Team All-KCAC honors after being named to the Honorable Mention team a year ago. He blocks from one of the best rushing attacks in the NAIA. OU is ranked fourth in the NAIA in rushing yards (2,405), ninth in rushing attempts (452), seventh in rushing yards per game (218.6), and 10^th in rushing touchdowns (26).

James Gladden, a senior defensive lineman from Chattanooga, Tenn., was named Second Team All-KCAC after earning Honorable Mention All-KCAC honors last season. Gladden is second on the team in tackles with 86. He has six sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Gladden is ranked 10^th in the NAIA in assisted tackles (57), 34^th in total tackles (86), 49^th in tackles per game (7.8), 35^th in sacks (6), and 19^th in sack yards (51).

Kevin Wade, a senior defensive back from Fontana, Calif., earned Second Team All-KCAC honors this season. He was an Honorable Mention selection in 2022. Wade has 29 tackles, two forced fumbles, one recovered fumble, one interception, and 12 pass break ups.

Malaki Peko, a senior running back from Faga'itua, Tutuila Island (AS), was named Honorable Mention All-KCAC. He is second on the team in rushing with 675 yards on 95 carriers. Peko averages 61.4 yards rushing per game, 7.1 yards per carry, and has seven rushing touchdowns.

De'Anthony Curtis, a freshman receiver and kick returner from South Gate, Calif., was selected Honorable Mention All-KCAC as a receiver and kick returner. Curtis had 29 receptions for 374 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 34 receiving yards per game. As a kick returner, Curtis had 17 returns for 396 yards and a 91 yard touchdown return. He averaged 23.3 yards per return.

Donovan Henry, a junior offensive lineman from Jacksonville, Fla., earned Honorable Mention All-KCAC honors. He has blocked for one of the best offenses in the NAIA this season. OU is ranked 32^nd in scoring (328), 38^th in points per game (29.8), 30^th in total offense (4,016), and 43^rd in yards per game (365.1).

Trevar Koncher, a junior offensive lineman from South Ogden, Utah, was named Honorable Mention All-KCAC for the second straight season. He is part of an offensive line that produced OU's first 1,000 yard rusher since 2015. Ottawa is ranked fourth in the NAIA in rushing yards (2,405) and seventh in rushing yards per game (218.6).

Madrid Steele, a junior offensive lineman from Madisonville, La., earned Honorable Mention All-KCAC honors. He blocks from one of the best rushing attacks in the NAIA. OU is ranked fourth in the NAIA in rushing yards (2,405), ninth in rushing attempts (452), seventh in rushing yards per game (218.6), and 10^th in rushing touchdowns (26).

TJ Osa, a sophomore offensive lineman from Junction City, Kan., was named Honorable Mention All-KCAC. He is part of an offensive line that produced OU's first 1,000 yard rusher since 2015. Ottawa is ranked fourth in the NAIA in rushing yards (2,405) and seventh in rushing yards per game (218.6). OU is ranked 32^nd in scoring (328), 38^th in points per game (29.8), 30^th in total offense (4,016), and 43^rd in yards per game (365.1).

Jensen Riffel, a senior defensive lineman from Lincolnville, Kan., was named Honorable Mention All-KCAC. He has 46 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and four tackles for loss this season.

Christian Coggs, a junior defensive lineman from Lenexa, Kan., earned Honorable Mention All-KCAC honors. He has 39 tackles and two tackles for loss.

Kyle Reynolds, a senior defensive back from Farmington, N.M., was selected Honorable Mention All-KCAC for the second straight season. He is third on the team in tackles with 78. Reynolds has one tackle for loss, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, five interceptions, and two pass break ups. He is ranked 26^th in the NAIA in solo tackles (48) and 13^th in interceptions (5).

Kalen Kemp, a junior offensive lineman from Oak Grove, Mo. was named Honorable Mention All-KCAC as a utility player. He is a long snapper on the OU special teams and the Braves back up center.

Rhett Andersen, a senior kicker from Colorado Springs, Colo., was named Honorable Mention All-KCAC. He was named KCAC Special Teams Player of the Week three times this past season. Andersen is 6-for-13 in field goal attempts with a long of 42 yards. He is 40-for-42 in extra point attempts and has scored 58 points this season.

Trevor Bywater, a sophomore punter from Rockledge, Fla., earned Honorable Mention All-KCAC honors. He has 44 punts for 1,682 yards, an averaging of 38.2 yards per kick. Bywater has 11 punts inside the 20, seven fair caught, and two touchbacks.

Malik Patterson, a sophomore running back and kick returner from Varnado, La., was named Honorable Mention All-KCAC. He earned KCAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors once this past season. Patterson has 17 kick returns for 443 yards, an average of 26.1 yards per return. He also has an 86 yard kick return for a touchdown.

Ottawa (6-5) returns to the gridiron on Saturday, Nov. 18 against no. 14 Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa in the NAIA Football Championship Series Opening Round. Kick off is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.