SAN ANTONIO, Texas – University of the Incarnate Word punter
Joe Zema and kick return specialist
Desmond Hite were named to the HERO Sports 2017 FCS All-America Team, the organization announced Wednesday.
Zema took home first team distinction, while Hite found a spot on the second team. Both student-athletes have become highly decorated since the conclusion of their 2017 campaigns.
In the last eight days Zema has been selected for five All-America Teams. In addition to Wednesday's award, he was named to the Associated Press All-America First Team, ADA Stats All-America First Team, STATS FCS All-America First Team and American Football Coaches Association All-America Second Team. Zema also garnered All-Southland Conference First Team honors back on Nov. 21.
Hite has enjoyed similar postseason success. He was named All-Southland Conference First Team as a kick return specialist, while earning All-Southland Conference Second Team recognition as an offensive all-purpose player. Hite landed a spot on the STATS FCS 2017 All-America Second Team on Tuesday.
A native of Melbourne, Australia, Zema was arguably the Cardinals' most consistent and effective weapon of the 2017 season. Zema's UIW career was a success from day one, as he set the program record for longest punt in his first collegiate game, launching a 75-yarder at Fresno State.
Zema finished the year as the national leader in punting at the FCS level, with an average of 46.7 yards per punt. The next-closest player in the country had 26 fewer punts and averaged a full 1.4 yards less per punt. Zema booted 31 punts over 50 yards, while the next-closest punter in the conference had just 14. Zema concluded his stellar year by breaking the league record for punting average in a season, set by Chad Stanley of Stephen F. Austin in 1998.
A Cypress, Texas native, Hite was undoubtedly the Cardinals' most explosive player in 2017. He finished the year as the national leader in kickoff return touchdowns, with three to his credit, obliterating the all-time UIW single-season record of one. Two of Hite's kick return scores went for 100 yards, while the third was 97. He finished the year ranked second in the Southland Conference in average all-purpose yards (113.1) and first in kickoff return average against league opponents (29.8). Hite carried the rock 40 times for 132 yards and added 18 receptions for an additional 88.
HERO SPORTS RELEASE
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE RELEASE
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