NEW ULM — The Martin Luther College football program received 16 All-Conference honors from the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) on Thursday, including nine First All-UMAC selections.

Carson Oestreich, Carrington Cunningham, Andrew Owczarzak, Adam Arrowsmith, Abel Bain, Noah Nordlie, Ben Riegsecker, Ben Arndt and Aiden Holien were each named First Team All-UMAC. Joshuah Kren, Mason Cox, Mike Radue, Cole Broekhuizen and Jon Holtz each were named Second Team All-UMAC, while Holien was also awarded two separate second-team nods as both a punt and kick returner.

Oestreich set an MLC single-season record with 234 carries this season, which he turned into the second-highest single-season rushing total in program history (1,113 yards) despite playing only nine games. His 123.7 rushing yards per game average was the second highest in program history, and he also added three receptions for 95 yards on the season. In only 13 collegiate games, Oestreich has recorded 1,381 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Cunningham and Owczarzak each earned their third All-UMAC honor. Cunningham was previously named First Team All-UMAC in 2018 and 2019, while Owczarzak was named to the first team in 2019 and the second team in 2018. The two five-year starters on the right side of the offensive line helped pave the way for 2,182 rushing yards this season, and more than 12,000 rushing yards during their careers.

Six MLC defenders were named First Team All-UMAC after allowing a conference-best 11 points per game during league play.

Seniors Arrowsmith and Bain earned their first All-UMAC recognition on the defensive front in 2021. Arrowsmith started all nine games at right defensive end and recorded 35 total tackles, three quarterback hurries and two pass breakups, while Bain started all nine games at defensive tackle and recorded 22 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Riegsecker led the team in tackles for the third time in his career with 55 from his inside linebacker position, where he started all 35 games during his four-year career. Riegsecker previously earned Second Team All-UMAC honors as a sophomore in 2019, and finished his career with 207 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Nordlie earned his first All-Conference honor in his second season as a starter at outside linebacker. The senior finished third on the team with 46.0 tackles, but led the team with 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. He also prove his talents in coverage with four career interceptions, including a program-record 100-yard interception return in 2018.

Arndt won First Team All-UMAC honors for the second time (previously 2018) after tying for the team lead with three interceptions. Arndt finished his career as a four-year starter at cornerback tied for the school record with 14 career interceptions, and this season returned one of those picks into a 22-yard touchdown against Saint John’s on September 18.

Holien was named Second Team All-UMAC in 2019 as a cornerback, and this season earned First Team All-UMAC honors as a safety/linebacker. After leading the Knights with three interceptions in only four games in the spring of 2021 at free safety, he finished second on the Knights with 47 tackles from his new position this fall, where he also recorded a team-best eight pass breakups to go with one interception. He also earned Second Team All-UMAC honors as a returner, where he led the Knights in both kick return (273) and punt return (243) yards.

Kren earned his second All-UMAC honor in 2021 after battling injuries to finish the season with 455 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 68 carries. The 2019 UMAC Most Valuable Offensive Player and First Team All-UMAC selection finished his career fourth in program history with 2,341 rushing yards, and has the highest yards per carry average (6.88) of any runner in program history. A threat in the passing game throughout his career, Kren finished the 2021 campaign with 11 catches for 150 yards and two scores, and finished his career with 31 receptions for 872 yards and 11 scores.

Radue won his third All-UMAC honor this fall at tight end after leading the team with 23 receptions for 305 yards and five touchdowns. The five-year starter was previously named First Team All-UMAC as a sophomore in 2018, followed by a Second Team All-UMAC selection in 2019. Radue finished his career fifth in program history with 90 career receptions for 1,129 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Cox made the most of his first season on the gridiron in 2021 by finishing second on the team in both receptions (19) and receiving yards (297). An Honorable Mention All-UMAC selection for baseball in 2021, Cox came on down the stretch at wide receiver this fall, starting with a season-best game against Minnesota Morris with six catches for 100 yards and one touchdown.

Broekhuizen joined Cunningham and Owczarzak on the All-Conference team on the offensive line. A second-year starter at left guard, Broekhuizen helped pave the way for the Knights to average 242.4 yards per game on the ground this season.

Holtz started the season primarily as a special teams contributor, but the first-year defensive back earned playing time over the course of the season and finished it as the starting free safety. Holtz tied for the team lead with three interceptions to go with 26 tackles.

MLC was also awarded the Team Sportsmanship Award by the conference, with Kenton Fabian named the Knights’ recipient of the Sportsmanship Award, which goes to one player on each team who best exemplifies sportsmanship during the season.