Laterza Named Cliff Harris Award Finalist

From Sports Information Director, December 17, 2015 | Football
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

DE PERE - St. Norbert College senior defensive back Frank Laterza has been selected as a finalist for the 2015 Cliff Harris Award.

Laterza, a Barrington Hills, Ill., native and a St. Viator High School graduate, is one of 63 small-college defensive players who are a finalist for the award.

Latzera was named Midwest Conference Defensive Skill Player of the Year following a year where he led the Green Knights to a 10-1 overall record and an unbeaten 10-win regular season. St. Norbert captured the Midwest Conference championship, its 16th since 1985, with a 16-7 win over Monmouth College in the league's title game on Nov. 14.

Laterza led the Green Knights this season with six interceptions with 121 return yards. He added seven passes defended, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble to his total of 23 tackles. St. Norbert's defense allowed just 155.5 yards passing per game and the unit finished with 21 interceptions, its most since 2006. The Green Knights also allowed just 13.4 points per game this season.

The award, sponsored by the Little Rock Touchdown Club, is presented to the nation's top small-college defensive player representing NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA football. The top vote getter from each division will also be announced. The winner of the award will be announced on Dec. 24.