Story courtesy of Al King, Assistant Athletic Director, Media Relations, Ashland University

FLORENCE, Ala. - Ashland University senior quarterback Taylor Housewright (Ashland, Ohio) is one of eight finalists for the 2012 Harlon Hill Trophy. The Hill Trophy is awarded annually to the NCAA Division II player of the year.

Housewright made the cut from 24 to eight players. Each of the four Super Regions in the country has two representatives on the final ballot. Housewright and West Texas A&M quarterback Dustin Vaughan are the representatives from Super Region 4.  Housewright and Vaughan were selected by a vote of the sports information directors in the region. The two will meet on the gridiron this Saturday (Nov. 24, 11 a.m.) when Ashland hosts West Texas A&M in an NCAA Division II playoff game at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field.

The other six finalists are Wingate wide receiver Chris Bowden, Missouri Western State running back Michael Hill, Bloomsburg running back Franklyn Quiteh, Henderson State quarterback Kevin Rogers, Tuskegee tailback Derrick Washington and Shippensburg quarterback Zach Zulli . The top three vote getters for the award will be in Florence, Ala., for the NCAA Division II national championship game on Dec. 15. The 2012 Harlon Hill Trophy award winner will be revealed on Friday, Dec. 14.

This is the 27^th year the Harlon Hill Trophy has been presented. The award will be determined by a vote of the 155 sports information directors from around the country. Six of the finalists helped lead their teams into the NCAA Division II playoffs and two of this weekend’s second round playoff matchups will have Hill finalists facing each other.

National voting will conclude on Nov. 29.

Housewright is fourth in the country in pass efficiency (173.46).  He is the GLIAC player of the year and a first team all-conference selection. Housewright leads the GLIAC in touchdown passes (30) and is second in passing yards per game (264.1). Earlier this season, Housewright set the NCAA Division II record for consecutive passes without an interception (377).  He’s completed 221-of-324 passes (68.2 percent) for 2,905 yards. The senior has thrown one interception.

In his career, Housewright has completed 559-of-853 passes (65.5 percent) for 7,093 yards with 69 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. He is second in school history in completions, pass attempts, passing yards and touchdown passes. His 30 touchdown passes this season is the second highest single-season total in Ashland history. The Ashland High school product is a three-year starter. His career record as the starter is 25-8 and he has led the Eagles to three victories against teams ranked in the nation’s Top 20. Two of those wins have come against teams ranked in the nation’s Top 10.

The Eagles are 11-0 and ranked fourth in the country. That’s the highest ranking the Eagles have achieved since becoming an NCAA Division II institution and it equals the highest ranking in program history. AU won its first GLIAC football championship this season.  This is the fourth time in school history the Eagles have ended the regular season undefeated. This year’s team is the second to win 10 or more games in a season.

AU is in the NCAA Division II playoffs for the fifth time in school history and the first time since 2008.