Quarterback Jake Knott (Lafayette, IN/Jefferson), wide receiver Kurt Casper (Greenwood, IN/Center Grove) (Photo right), tight end Ryan Short (Indianapolis, IN/Perry Meridian), offensive tackle Jamie Bopp (Ft. Wayne, IN/R. Nelson Snider), defensive lineman Blair Hammer (Carmel, IN/Carmel), and linebacker Nate Boulais (Indianapolis, IN/Ben Davis) were all selected to the All-Conference First Team. Running back Chris Morris (Zionsville, IN/Zionsville) and linebacker Josh Stanton (Mooresville, IN/Mooresville) were Second Team selections. Guard Bucky Kramer (Monticello, IN/Twin Lakes), defensive back Artie Montes (Mission , TX/Mission), and safety Brad Taphorn (Indianapolis, IN/Cardinal Ritter) were all Honorable Mention All-Conference selections.
Knott, a junior, earned First Team honors for the second consecutive season, setting the Wabash and NCAC record for touchdown passes in a season with 34. He was first in the conference in total offense with 3,224 yards and was second in the conference in passing with 2,908 yards (200-347-11), breaking his own school record. He also set the school record for career passing, thowing for 8,259 yards in three seasons. He finished fifth in the nation in total offense, and was 16th in the nation in passing efficiency (154.03). He is the son of David ’69 and Barbara Knott.
Casper, a senior receiver, also earned his second First Team honor, finishing fifth in the conference in receiving yards per game with 89.9. He made 48 receptions for 899 yards and nine touchdowns, placing him second in Wabash history in receptions and receiving yardage, and third in TD receptions. The biggest reception of his career came on the final play of the 2001 Monon Bell Classic when made the game-winning catch off of a tipped ball by Short to give Wabash a 27-21 victory. He is the son of Chet and Colleen Casper.
Short, a junior, earns his second All-Conference award after receiving Second Team honors last season. He tied the school and conference record for touchdown receptions in a season that he set last year, making 13 TD catches for the second consecutive season. He led the Little Giants and the conference in receptions with 73, and tied for 18th in the nation in receptions per game with an average of 7.3. He is the son of Carl Short and Kathy Day.
Bopp, a junior co-captain, was part of a Wabash offensive line that tied the school record for fewest quarterback sacks allowed with seven. Bopp was also a member of the line that set the original record of seven in 1999. He started all ten game for Wabash this season. He is the son of George and Louise Bopp.
Hammer, a sophomore, led the team in tackles for losses with 15-1/2 for 80 yards, and was second on the team and third in the conference in quarterback sacks with 9-1/2 for 69 yards. He forced three and recovered two fumbles, and made 29 unassisted tackles and 22 assisted tackles. Hammer is the son of William and Barbara Hammer.
Boulais, a junior, led the Little Giants in tackles for the third consecutive year. He finished the season with 35 solo stops and 40 assisted tackles, including 11-1/2 tackles for losses totaling 30 yards. He also had 3-1/2 quarterback sacks and had his first career interception. Boulais added two forced fumbles to his year-end totals. He is the son of Brenda Boulais and Marc Boulais.
Morris, a sophomore, was seventh in the conference in rushing. He gained 819 yards on 142 carries and scored nine rushing touchdowns. He had five 100-yard rushing games this season, including a career-best 161 yards against Oberlin. Morris is the son of Phil and Donna Morris.
Stanton, a junior, led the team and was second in the conference in sacks with 10 for 79 yards. He scored his first career touchdown against Oberlin after returning a fumble 23 yards. He led the conference in forced fumbles with five, had 28 solo and 29 assisted tackles, and had 14-1/2 tackles for losses totaling 90 yards. Stanton is the son of Pat and Dale Stanton.
Kramer, a senior, was a 10-game starter for the Little Giants at guard, and part of the offensive line that set the single season record for fewest quarterback sacks in 1999 and tied it again this season. Kramer has started all 30 games for Wabash the last three season.s He is the son of Butch and Kim Kramer.
Montes, a sophomore, led the team with five interceptions and nine pass breakups. He had 32 solo and 11 assisted tackles, and added two tackles for losses of five yards. Montes started all 10 games for the Little Giants. He is the son of Arturo III and Diana Montes.
Taphorn, a senior, finished the season with 19 solo and 20 assisted tackles. He had 12 tackles for losses totaling 42 yards, and 6-1/2 sacks for 34 yards. Taphorn also had three pass breakups and forced two fumbles. He is the son of Terry and Diann Taphorn.