Destin Chance Named a Semifinalist for 2023 Gagliardi Trophy
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Illinois College quarterback Destin Chance has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the 2023 Gagliardi Trophy which goes to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III, it was announced by Stearns Bank and the J-Club of Saint John's University (Minn.) on Tuesday.
Chance, a junior from Auburn, Ill. posted record breaking numbers in the 2023 season. He set school and Midwest Conference records by throwing for 4,036 yards and 48 touchdowns as well as accounting for 4,251 yards of total offense and 50 total touchdowns. He finished the season going 250-for-411 (.608%) with a quarterback rating of 177.96. Chance led an offense that set the Midwest Conference records for total yards (6,147 – 558.8 yards per game) and points (522 – 47.5 points per game).
Chance helped lead the Blueboys to a 9-2 record, the championship of the Midwest Conference and a berth in the 2023 NCAA Division III Playoffs.
The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993 is awarded to the most outstanding NCAA Division III football player and recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award is named after John Gagliardi, Saint John's legendary Hall of Fame head football coach who passed away at the age of 91 in 2018. John retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history.
The Gagliardi Trophy finalists will be announced during a live show on Thursday, Dec. 7, on D3football.com. Hosts Pat Coleman and Frank Rossi will profile the finalists during the program. The 2023 Gagliardi Trophy winner will be revealed on D3football.com during the week of the NCAA Division III football national championship on the evening of Friday, Dec. 15. In the lead up to the announcement of the 2023 Gagliardi Trophy winner, D3football.com will provide updates on specific dates and times of the announcement.
The 2022 Gagliardi Trophy was awarded to North Central College (Ill.) senior running back Ethan Greenfield.
2023 Gagliardi Trophy Semifinalist
Kaleb Blaha - QB | Junior | UW-River Falls
Justin Blazek - DE | Senior | UW-Platteville
Kolbe Blunt - RB | Senior | Belhaven
Zac Boyes - QB | Junior | Cortland State
Jake Breitbach - WR | Senior | Gustavus Adolphus
Brandon Cade - RB | Junior | Berry
Drew Campanale - QB | Senior | Randolph-Macon
Destin Chance - QB | Junior | Illinois College
Robert Coury - LB | Senior | Carnegie Mellon
Owen Grover - LB | Senior | Wartburg
Egon Hein- DB | Senior | UW-Whitewater
Keyser Helterbrand - QB | Senior | UW-La Crosse
Tucker Horn - QB | Senior | Trinity (Texas)
Tomás Kenary - DL | Senior | Middlebury
Luke Lehnen - QB | Junior | North Central (Ill.)
Braxton Plunk - QB | Senior | Mount Union
Luke Schuermann - DL | Senior | Johns Hopkins
Aaron Syverson - QB | Senior | Saint John's
Josh Taylor- QB | Senior | Mount St. Joseph
Giovanni Weeks - RB | Senior | Wheaton (Ill.)
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