STATS Press Release

Duquesne University senior linebacker Christian Kuntz (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) received his third preseason honor of the 2016 season as he was named to the STATS FCS Preseason All-America First Team.

A 2016 Athlon Sports FCS Preseason All-American and Football Gameplan Preseason All-American, the 6-1, 220-pound Kuntz, led the nation in tackles for a loss in FCS in 2015 with 26 for a total of 114 yards.

Last season he was named to the College Sporting News Fabulous Fifty FCS All-America Team, a Walter Camp FCS All-America, an Eastern Collegiate Athletic Association (ECAC) FCS All-Star, the ECAC FCS Defensive Player of the Year, an Athletics Directors Association (ADA) All-America, an Associated Press Second Team All-America, STATS FCS First Team All-America, College Sports Madness Third Team All-America, Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and NEC First Team All-Conference choice.

A two-time NEC Defensive Player of the Week and the STATS FCS Defensive National Player of the Week on Nov. 23, he also led the Dukes with four interceptions for 61 yards and two touchdowns, 11 sacks for a loss of 70 yards, six pass break-ups and six quarterback hurries. He finished the season third on the team with 72 total tackles (47 solo).

The Red and Blue, who won their third Northeast Conference title in five years under head coach Jerry Schmitt, finished the 2015 season 8-4 (5-1 NEC) and played in their first ever FCS Playoff.