By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University defensive end Keaton Adams (Gr., Colorado Springs, CO/Doherty HS) has been selected First Team All-Northwest Conference for the 2022 season in voting by the NWC head coaches. Adams was chosen First Team All-NWC for the second consecutive year. This year's All-NWC voting also recognized offensive lineman Dayton Roberts (So., OG, Scottsdale, AZ/Desert Mountain HS) and defensive back Luke Lowe (Sr., CB, Fresno, CA/Clovis West HS) for Honorable Mention recognition.

One hundred student-athletes were chosen for the 2022 All-Northwest Conference Football Team. Thirty-one players were named to the First Team, 34 players were chosen for the Second Team, and 35 players received Honorable Mention.

Senior wide receiver Leon Johnson III from George Fox University was named NWC Offensive Player of the Year. Linfield University junior linebacker Blake Rybar was chosen NWC Defensive Player of the Year. Jacob Erickson, a defensive lineman for George Fox, was chosen NWC Rookie of the Year. Linfield Head Coach Joseph Smith was voted NWC Football Coach of the Year.

The Bearcats averaged 150.4 passing yards and 101.1 rushing yards per game while earning 145 first downs. On defense, Willamette registered 46 tackles for losses for 200 yards, including 13 quarterback sacks. The Bearcats recovered six fumbles and blocked six kicks.

First Team All-Northwest Conference

Keaton Adams (Gr., DE) earned First Team All-NWC honors for the second year in a row after producing back-to-back successful seasons as a pass rusher and run stopper. In 2022, he recorded 47 total tackles to rank second on the team and led the Bearcats with 35 unassisted stops. He also topped the Willamette defensive chart with 16.5 tackles for losses of 70 yards, including 5.5 quarterback sacks for 38 yards in losses. He forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, and blocked an extra point kick. He also broke up one pass. Adams made eight tackles against Hilbert College (N.Y.) on Sept. 17 and added eight tackles against Lewis & Clark College on Oct. 15. He played in all 10 games for the second consecutive season.

Last year, Adams contributed 51 total tackles, including 31 solo tackles. He led Willamette with a school record 19.5 tackles for losses of 111 yards, including a team-high 11 quarterback sacks for 91 yards. Adams recovered four fumbles, forced two fumbles, and blocked two kicks. He returned a fumble 41 yards for a touchdown against the University of Puget Sound on Sept. 4, 2021.

While playing for the Bearcats, Adams set career school records with 54.5 tackles for losses and 263 yards lost. He achieved 171 total tackles (113 unassisted) and registered 24.5 quarterback sacks for 184 yards in losses. He played in 37 games during his career, which also featured six fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, and five blocked kicks.

Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference

Luke Lowe (Jr., CB) received Honorable Mention All-NWC after a solid season in the defensive secondary. He started all 10 games for the Bearcats and provided 31 total tackles on 24 unassisted tackles and seven assists. He was credited with one tackle for a loss of five yards. Lowe earned two pass break-ups and forced one fumble.

In 2021, Lowe accumulated 33 total tackles with 16 unassisted stops and 17 assists. He broke up six passes, intercepted one pass and returned it 16 yards. He made one-half of a tackle for loss. Over the past two years, Lowe has played in all 20 games, while recording 64 total tackles (40 solo, 24 assisted). He has broken up eight pases to go with 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one interception.

Dayton Roberts (So., OG) supplied Willamette with strong play in the offensive line to earn Honorable Mention All-NWC. He started all 10 games, playing mostly at right guard. His blocking and leadership helped the Bearcats gain 1,011 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 366 carries, while also completing 124 of 228 passes for 1,504 yards and 13 touchdowns.

As a first-year player in 2021, he saw action in nine games. He supplied blocks that led to 1,764 passing yards and 2,486 total yards. He also helped Willamette pick up 160 first downs, including 75 on passing plays and 62 on rushing attempts. Roberts has played in 19 games in two seasons. He has contributed to the Bearcats gaining 5,001 yards and scoring 43 offensive touchdowns.