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| Kevin Burke has led Mount
Union this far and can focus on the game. Photo by Eric Kelley, d3photography.com |
Mount Union quarterback Kevin Burke was named the winner of the 2013 Gagliardi Trophy, it was announced Wednesday night in Salem, Va.
Burke is the first junior to ever win the trophy, which goes to the top all-around Division III football player, in terms of athletics, academics and community service.
"Honestly, it just feels good," Burke said after the ceremony. "It's a feeling of joy, is the only way I could describe it. It just feels good to have this weight off my shoulders, that maybe you're going to win, maybe you're not. I'm glad that it's over with and I can focus on Friday."
Mount Union takes on UW-Whitewater on Friday night in Salem in Stagg Bowl XLI. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU. D3football.com pregame coverage starts at 5 p.m.
Burke has thrown for 3,514 yards and 44 touchdowns for the Purple Raiders this season, while rushing for 1,035 yards and 13 more scores. He beat out fellow finalists Cole Klotz, linebacker at UW-Whitewater; McCallum Foote, quarterback at Middlebury; and Octavias McKoy, running back at Western Connecticut State.