SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word freshman quarterback Jon Copeland has been named to the HERO Sports FCS Freshman All-America Team, announced Monday. Copeland was named the 2018 Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, and also received second team All-SLC honors, on Nov. 20.
 
"I'm so proud of Jon," said UIW Head Coach Eric Morris. "He stepped into a tough role, starting as our quarterback as a true freshman at the beginning of the season. The team never questioned his role as a leader on this team, and that's a testament to how hard Jon works and how much he cares about this team. I'm looking forward to seeing his maturation and skill set continue to grow over the next few years."
 
When Copeland took the field against New Mexico in week one, it was the first time that a true freshman started at quarterback for the Cardinals in a season-opening game. With Copeland at the helm of the offense in 2018, the Cardinals broke nearly every offensive record in program history. As a team, UIW set records in total offense (5,315), total points (357), and touchdowns (48).
 
Copeland became UIW's third 2,000-yard passer when he racked up 236 yards against No. 6 McNeese on Oct. 20. He threw for over 400 yards in two consecutive games (vs. SLU and at Lamar), and he finished the season with five games of over 300 passing yards, becoming the first quarterback in program history to throw for 300 yards in four or more games in a single season.
 
Copeland was also the first quarterback in program history to throw for 400-or-more yards in consecutive games, and the first to throw over 500 in a single game (515 yards at Lamar, Oct. 13). Copeland was also the only SLC quarterback to eclipse 500 yards passing in a single game this season, and one of only three quarterbacks to do so in the FCS (Davlin Hodges -- Samford -- 562 yards -- Oct. 6 and Anthony Lawrence -- San Diego -- 556 yards -- Nov. 10).
 
Copeland shattered the single season passing record (2,984 yards), and set single season records for pass attempts (368), pass completions (208), passing touchdowns (22), passing efficiency (137.3), yards per pass (8.1), and yards per game (298.4). Copeland also set the record for total offensive yards (3,061) and touchdowns responsible for (25). Copeland's 2,984 passing yards and 22 passing touchdowns both rank second in career records at UIW.
 
For single game records, Copeland had the most passes completed (39, LU) and attempted (56, LU), and he had the most passing yards (515, LU), among other top-five marks.

For the full HERO Sports Freshman All-America Team, click here.

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