Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After what proved to be an impressive season and posting their first outright conference championship since the 1995 season, the Montana Western football team had two players named as NAIA All-Americans.
UMW quarterback Michael Palandri and UMW offensive lineman Marcus Lombard each earned a selection on the NAIA Coaches' All America Third-Team.
Palandri, a 6-1, 215lb quarterback from Maple Valley, Wash., earns his first career All-American nod following a breakout season for the young quarterback. Palandri was also chosen as the Frontier Conference Offensive Player of the Year after he led the conference with 269.0 passing yards per game (eighth in the NAIA). His pass efficiency rating of 165.5 also ranked him at sixth in the country. He found himself in the top 15 for total completions, completion percentage, total passing yards, yards per game, and total touchdowns.
Lombard, a 6-1, 300lb offensive lineman from Laie, Hawaii, earnes his first All-American honor after another impressive season on the offensive line. He was also previously named Frontier first team all-conference offense. This season, the Bulldog offense led the conference and was fifth in the NAIA with 455.5 yards of offense per game. UMW also led the Frontier after they averaged 176.9 rushing yards per game (22nd in NAIA) and averaged 36.8 points per game (2nd in FC, 15th in NAIA).
