Official NWC Release

HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Northwest Conference released its All-Conference teams for the sport of football on Monday with 10 members of Pacific Lutheran University earning recognition, including running back Jacob Schuh securing NWC Offensive Player of the Year.

Schuh was joined by Aron Daley, Griffin Montana, and Cole Becker as First Team selections while Connor Meade, Zachary Gable, Avery Coleman, Jackson Hale, and Eli Fernandez landed Second Team status. Earning Third Team honors was Joshua Holder and Meade. 

Jacob Schuh earns All-Conference honors for the second straight season. A First Team honoree and the NWC Offensive Player of the Year, Schuh was a Second Team All-NWC pick last fall. The Mount Vernon, Washington native led the league in rushing this fall, racking up 1,105 yards on 192 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per rush and 110.5 yards per game. Schuh scored nine rushing touchdowns while adding 307 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Schuh is the first Lute to win NWC Offensive Player of the Year since Aaron Binger in 2003. 

Aron Daley and Griffin Montana both earn First Team honors on the offensive line. The Puyallup and Snohomish, Washington natives were both Honorable Mention All-WC in 2024. Daley and Griffin anchored a front five that helped the offensive average 400.7 yards per game and 30.6 points per game. That included averaging 150.4 yards per game on the ground while allowing just 16 sacks on the year.

Cole Becker earns First Team honors as a defensive end. The Lake Stevens, Washington native ranked second in the league in sacks with 9.5. The junior also had 11 TFLs, resulting in a loss of 80 yards for opposing offenses. Becker had 46 tackles on the season, nine hurries, and three pass breakups. Becker also had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery this season. 
 
Connor Meade lands Second Team All-Conference as a wide receiver and Third Team All-NWC status as a returner. The Tacoma, Washington native had seven touchdowns this season, including five receiving touchdowns, one punt return touchdown, and one kickoff return touchdown. The sophomore had 34 catches for 592 yards this fall while racking up 201 yards on punt returns and 295 yards on kickoff returns.

Zachary Gable secures Second Team All-NWC as a defensive end. The Vancouver, Washington native tied for the team lead in TFLs with 11 while collecting six sacks, a team-high 11 quarterback hurries, and one interception. Gable had 30 tackles on the year and had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. 

Avery Coleman is tabbed Second Team All-Conference as a linebacker. The Tacoma, Washington native was second on the team in tackles with 68 on the year, including 35 solo tackles. Coleman had 8.5 TFLs and had two sacks and an interception. 

Jackson Hale is PLU's second linebacker to earn Second Team All-Conference. The Mead, Washington native had 63 tackles on the season, including 6.5 TFLs and three sacks. Hale scored a defensive touchdown this fall and racked up four pass breakups and three hurries in addition to a pick six. 

Eli Fernandez is the fourth Lute defender to secure Second Team All-Conference, being recognized at the safety position. The Sunnyside, Washington native led the team in solo tackles (49), total tackles (86), and interceptions (four). The sophomore also had one pass breakup, one quarterback hurry, and one fumble recovery.

Joshua Holder rounds out the Lute award winners, landing Third Team All-League at offensive line. The Puyallup, Washington native helped the Lute offense score 306 points on the year, including scoring over 40 points a game on five occasions. His efforts in the trenches played a key role in Schuh leading the league in rushing and helping the offense average over 400 yards a game. 

The Lutes (6-4, 5-2 NWC) wrapped up the 2025 season on a two game winning streak and finished in third place in the final conference standings.