WATERTOWN, Wis. --- In his final season, Sabercats linebacker Ben Schulz was named the NCAA Division III national statistical champion in the forced fumbles category, the NCAA announced this afternoon.

Schulz registered six takeaways in eight games during the 2016 season, posting two forced fumbles per game when the Sabercats traveled to Morthland (Oct. 1) and Finlandia (Oct. 22). The Lake Mills, Wis. native also posted forces at home against Rockford (Sep. 10) and Concordia-Chicago (Sep. 24).

The senior also broke the DIII top five in tackles per game this season, as he notched 12.9 tackles per game.

Schulz ranked second in the nation in the tackles category last season with 13.9 tackles per game, and he registered a career-high 21 tackles in 2014 season against Trinity Bible Oct. 4.

Schulz more than doubled his existing numbers in 2016 alone, as his six forced fumbles moved him to 10 forced fumbles in his four-year career. During his four-year stint, Schulz amassed 163 solo tackles, which ranks him fourth in the category in Maranatha Football program history. Schulz also becomes just the sixth player in Maranatha Football history to record over 200 assisted tackles, as he finished his career with 201*.

In his final season, Schulz earned All-NCCAA honors and participated in the D3 Senior Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C. in December.

To visit Schulz's player profile, click here. 

For more on Sabercats Football, click here.

*Only known information was included when compiling the all-time records. If you find an error, please contact Taylor Pill at taylor.pill@mbu.edu or at (920) 206-2379. All records require documented support.