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Jason Capizzi Named a National Finalist for Gene Upshaw Lineman of the Year Award

IUP senior Jason Capizzi has been selected as one of eight national finalists for the third annual Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year award. 

Two linemen, either offensive or defensive, are chosen from each of the four regions that comprise Division II football in voting by sports information directors.  The award is sponsored by the Manheim Touchdown Club.

The announcement of the winner will be made later this month.  It is named in honor of Upshaw, currently the executive director of the National Football League Players Association and a standout offensive lineman at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) and in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders.

Capizzi is joined on the national ballot by California center Tim McCutcheon as the two representatives from the Northeast Region.  Grand Valley State defensive lineman Mike McFadden won the award in 2005.

Capizzi, who started 30 games in three seasons at left tackle for IUP after transferring from the University of Pittsburgh, was the leader of an offensive line that was among the best in the PSAC in 2006.  The team ranked 28th in the nation in rushing with an average of 17.17 yards per game and allowed a total of only nine sacks on the year.

Behind Capizzi and his linemates, tailback Chris Morgan was second in the PSAC and eighth in the nation in rushing at 131.8 yards per game. 

Capizzi surrendered only one sack in his IUP career while grading out at over 90 percent in seven games, including 98 percent against Shippensburg this season.  He was named to the All-PSAC West team each season, including a first team nod this year, and was on the Daktronics All-Northeast Region first team and is a candidate for All-America honors.

He was named one of 10 players in Division II as a “Pro Hopeful” by D2Football.com and has been actively scouted by all 32 NFL teams.  He is hoping to join former IUP offensive linemen Chris Villarrial (Buffalo Bills) and Leander Jordan (San Diego Chargers) in the NFL.

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