Knutson’s selection marked the Sartell-native sophomore’s second season being named to the first team. He led all of Division II with eight interceptions over the course of the regular season, tying an SMSU single-season record, and his 13 career interceptions have him tied for the program’s career record with two years of eligibility remaining to smash that record.

Hedensten capped off his collegiate career with his first selection to the first team after being named All-NSIC second team each of the last two seasons. Hedensten led the conference in tackles with 104, and his 117 tackles, including the Mustangs’ non-conference game rank eighth in single-season history.

During his four years as a Mustang, Hedensten never missed a game. He started all 44 of SMSU’s game during his tenure with the team, and his 369 solo and 207 solo tackles both rank second in program history.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Mustangs’ senior duo of Nebelung and Maher each earned All-NSIC honors for the first time in their careers.

Photo by Jake McNeill: Southwest Minnesota State University cornerback Parker Knutson celebrates an interception during a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football game against Minnesota State University-Moorhead on Sept. 5 in Marshall.

A San Diego, Calif. native, Maher was SMSU’s receiving leader with 750 yards and four touchdowns on 46 catches. His 726 receiving yards in conference play ranked sixth in the conference, highlighted by a 159-yard outing against Augustana.

Nebelung started all 44 games on the SMSU offensive line during his time with the team, helping SMSU rank fifth in passing yards per game this season.

With his senior football season in the books, Nebelung is still not done with collegiate athletics. The 6-foot-5, 331-pound Ramsey-native has competed for the SMSU track and field team as a thrower each year of his collegiate career. He put together his best performance in his freshman season, finishing seventh in the NSIC indoor shot put championships at 15.40 meters and eighth in the outdoor championships at 15.16 meters.

Most recently, Nebelung placed 16th in the indoor conference championships in the shot put at 14.75 meters last year, and 17th in the outdoor championships at 15.13 meters.

SMSU finished its season with a 1-10 record, snapping a 12-game skid in the second week of the season with a win over Jamestown before closing the year on a nine-game losing streak.

Photo by Jake McNeill: Southwest Minnesota State University wide receiver Colin Maher (9) celebrates a reception during a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football game against Minnesota State University-Moorhead on Sept. 5 in Marshall.

The NSIC’s All-Conference teams are voted on by the league’s 14 head coaches.