Nov. 14, 2005

Duquesne University defensive end Ryan Esdale (Succasunna, N.J./Roxbury) and punter David Kovalcik (Chantilly, Va./Chantilly) have been named to the 2005 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 2 Football Team.

Esdale, a junior secondary education major with a 3.73 GPA, and Kovalcik, a sophomore business major with a 3.87 GPA, are both first-time team members. It marks the ninth time in the past 10 seasons that Duquesne has had at least one representative on the district team.

Esdale and Kovalcik will have their names placed on the national ballot, with the 2005 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Football Team to be released on Thursday, December 1.

Esdale enters this weekend's season finale at Saint Francis, Pa. eighth on the team in tackles with 35 (16 solo) despite missing two early-season games with a shoulder injury. The New Jersey native ranks tied for third on the team with 4.0 sacks and fifth in tackles for loss with 8.5 (for minus 41 yards).

A two-year starter, Esdale has also broken up three passes, forced two fumbles and recovered one. Duquesne enters the Saint Francis game ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division I-AA in total defense, rushing defense, passing defense and pass efficiency defense.

Kovalcik, a two-year starting punter, is averaging 33.9 yards on 63 punts this season. He has three punts of over 50 yards and has placed 14 inside the opponent 20-yard line.

Duquesne (6-3, 4-0) clinched its seventh consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Football League championship - and ninth league title in the last 11 years - with a win over La Salle on Nov. 5.

The Duquesne at Saint Francis game on Saturday is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.

2005 ESPN THE MAGAZINE ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT 2 FOOTBALL TEAMUniversity Division
Kovalcik, David     DUQUESNE            PunterMaurer, Brad        LAFAYETTE           QuarterbackPalko, Luke     SAINT FRANCIS(PA)   ReceiverMcClelland, Mike    MONMOUTH            ReceiverMullins, Jeff       MARSHALL            Tight EndWilson, Devin       ROBERT MORRIS       Running BackLeonard, Brian      RUTGERS             Running BackWilson, Andrew      PRINCETON           Offensive LineBoccella, Michael   BUCKNELL            Offensive LineGreen, Marshall     NAVY                Offensive LineMozes, Dan      WEST VIRGINIA       Offensive LineJustice, Garin      WEST VIRGINIA   Offensive LineBower, Ryan     BUCKNELL            KickerMartinez, Brad      PENNSYLVANIA    Defensive BackFrisbey, David      BUCKNELL            Defensive BackMcCready, Nolan     PENN STATE          Defensive BackWilson, Josh        MARYLAND            Defensive BackPosluszny, Paul     PENN STATE          LinebackerHenry, Jay      WEST VIRGINIA   LinebackerBennett, Maurice    LAFAYETTE           LinebackerNeill, Ryan     RUTGERS         Defensive LineParks, Tom      DELAWARE            Defensive LineGensler , Ray       ROBERT MORRIS       Defensive LineEsdale, Ryan      DUQUESNE            Defensive Line