Bailey earns all-region football honors

Cornell senior linebacker Tyler Bailey has been named to the 2011 D3football.com All-West Region Second Team, it was announced Monday.

Bailey was among nine players from four Iowa Conference schools recognized on the three all-region teams, selected in balloting by West Region sports information directors and D3football.com staff. A total of 75 players were chosen from 212 nominations by Division III member schools.

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Bailey had a banner-filled final campaign from his middle linebacker position. The West Branch native ranked sixth in Division III in solo tackles (7.30 tpg), eighth in total tackles (12.30 tpg) and 22nd in tackles for loss (1.70 tpg). Bailey, a team captain, finished second in the IIAC with 123 tackles and tied for the conference lead with 17.0 tackles for loss.

Bailey was in on 73 solo tackles, good for second on Cornell's single-season list. His 17.0 tackles for loss are third-most in a season by a Ram player.

Bailey recorded double-figure tackles in eight games, highlighted by a 16-tackle performance (including 13 solos and 4.0 tackles for loss) in the Nov. 5 home finale against Luther. He also posted 16 tackles at IIAC runner-up Central Oct. 22.

For his career, the three-year starter compiled 288 tackles and 32.5 tackles for loss. Bailey topped the 10-tackle mark in 14 of his final 20 collegiate games.

Bailey was a 2011 Consensus Draft Services Preseason First Team All-American. He was a First Team All-IIAC selection, after earning second team honors in 2010. Bailey is set to compete in the Division III Football Senior Classic Friday, Dec. 9 in Salem, Va.

Bailey is the sixth Ram to garner all-region football accolades since 2002. He is Cornell's first honoree since 2009, when safety Don Bladt and tight end Alex Macey were tabbed to the first team.

D3football.com named Dubuque receiver Michael Zweifel and UW-Whitewater running back Levell Coppage as West Region Offensive Co-Players of the Year. St. Thomas linebacker Tony Danna was voted Defensive Player of the Year. Lewis and Clark's Chris Sulages was Coach of the Year.