PRESS RELEASE
BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the 2024 NSIC All-Conference football teams with four honored from Northern State University. Jake Adams and Kegan Mountain earned spots on the first team, while Max Van Landingham and Luke Gunderson were named to the second team.
Adams started all 11 games for the Wolves in 2024 and led the team and NSIC with 147 tackles. His 100-plus mark broke the single season school record of 111 set by Steve Espinoza in 2004. In total he recorded 72 solo stops and 75 assisted, including 6.0 tackles for a loss and 1.0 sack. The Wisconsin native recorded double-digit tackles in seven of the 11 contests this season, including a season high 20 against Minot State and Bemidji State. The sophomore finished the season second in the country in total tackles and third in tackles per game. He earned NSIC Defensive Player of the Week honors following the Wolves win over Bemidji State. 2024 marks the first all-conference honor of his career.
Mountain started all 11 games for the Wolves and led the secondary with a league best five interceptions. The sophomore added 44 tackles, including 31 solo stops and 2.0 tackles for a loss, and five pass breakups. He recorded a season best ten tackles in the Wolves season finale win over Wayne State. In the Wolves win over Southwest Minnesota State, Mountain recorded his fourth interception of the season and added a season best 55-yard return. In addition, Mountain added 29 punt return yards against Sioux Falls and Minot State. 2024 marks the first all-conference honor of his career.
Van Landingham started all 11 games on the defensive line. He led the Wolves with 6.0 sacks for a total loss of 47 yards, accumulating 8.5 tackles for a loss. In addition, the junior notched 25 total tackles, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. He closed out the regular season fourth in the NSIC in total sacks and second in solo sacks. The Tennessee native notched a season high five tackles, including two sacks, in the Wolves win over Bemidji State. This season is the first all-conference recognition of his career.
Gunderson started all 11 games for the Wolves and finished the year fifth on the team with 52 tackles. He recorded 27 solo stops, 5.0 tackles for a loss of 16 yards, and 1.0 sack. In addition, the senior grabbed two interceptions and broke up five passing attempts. He tallied a season best eight tackles in Northern’s season finale against Wayne State, as well as his second interception of the year. The Buffalo, Minnesota native caps off his Northern State career with this all-conference honor.
To see the compete all-conference list, click on the following link:
https://northernsun.org/news/2024/11/21/2024-nsic-football-all-conference-teams.aspx
