By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University linebacker Jack Bevins (Sr., ILB, Park City, UT/Park City HS) has been named First Team ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-District VIII in voting by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Bevins and other First Team Academic All-District selections are now eligible to be chosen for the ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-America Team, which will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Bevins has accumulated 73 total tackles this season to rank second on the team. He also ranks second in solo tackles (32) and assisted tackles (41). He has intercepted one pass (which he returned 32 yards), forced one fumble, earned one sack and registered two tackles for losses.

He earned a career-high 18 tackles against the University of Puget Sound this past Saturday (Nov. 8). He was chosen NWC Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts.

Bevins has helped the Willamette defense limit its first nine opponents to 18.6 points per game. The WU defense has forced a total of 25 turnovers this season, with 10 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries. Willamette leads the Northwest Conference with a +13 turnover margin (+1.44 per game).

As a student at Willamette, Bevins is majoring in International Studies. He has achieved a 3.62 cumulative grade point average.

The Bearcats are 9-0 on the season, including 5-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette is ranked #10 in the D3Football.com Top 25 released on Nov. 9 and is #9 in the AFCA Coaches Poll released on Nov. 4. The 'Cats have clinched at least a tie for the NWC Championship and have also clinched the NWC's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Playoffs.

CoSIDA District VIII includes college and universities in the western United States. Players nominated for the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team were starters or key reserves with cumulative grade point averages of 3.3 or higher (4.0 scale).

Each nominated player was at his current college or university for at least one academic year. The College Division includes players in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and the NAIA.

Willamette will close out the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 15, when the Bearcats host Menlo College in an NWC game at McCulloch Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. (PST).