TERRE
HAUTE, IND. -- Two members of the Rose-Hulman Institute of
Technology football team earned Capital One first-team academic
all-district honors, in results released by the College Sports
Information Directors of America.
Sophomores Nick Buchta (North Barrington, Ill./Lake Zurich) and Zac Erba (Winona Lake, Ind./Warsaw) captured first-team Academic All-District accolades for their efforts on the gridiron and on the offensive line.
Buchta has appeared in eight games with seven starts for the Fightin' Engineers this season. The left tackle provided blocks that allowed senior Kyle Kovach to become the career rushing leader at Rose-Hulman earlier this season and also offered blocks in a career-high 342-yard passing effort by Mitch Snyder against Bluffton.
In the classroom, Buchta has a perfect 4.00 grade point average as a mechanical engineering major.
Erba has started all 10 games as Rose-Hulman's long snapper on the special teams unit. His snaps have allowed freshman Craig Larew to make 23-27 extra points and four field goals, while junior Eric Schaible has averaged 40.5 yards per punt on 61 kicks this season.
In the classroom, Erba has a perfect 4.00 grade point average and is a member of the track and field team that won the 2012 HCAC championship.
Buchta and Erba will advance to the national ballot, with the national team released on Dec. 4.
Rose-Hulman will conclude its regular season with a matchup against Earlham College on Saturday. The 1:30 p.m. "Battle of the Borders Broadsword Game" will feature Senior Day for 10 members of the Fightin' Engineers along with a chance for the team's school record setting eighth straight season with a .500 or above winning percentage.