The Missouri Valley Football Conference’s sports information directors named NDSU football players Kyle Belmont and Nick Mertens to the All-Academic second team. Jeff Curtis earned an honorable mention.
Belmont, a strong safety, is a graduate student from Battle Lake, Minn. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in May 2009. He is pursuing a master’s degree. He started in 22 of 33 games played during his career. He was named to the 2009 College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District VII first team and is a recipient of the Missouri Valley Football Conference Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award in 2008-09.
Mertens, a quarterback, is a senior from East Grand Forks, Minn. He has a 3.79 grade-point average and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in management and marketing. He started in seven of nine games played this season. His 95-yard touchdown pass to Gary Williams was the longest reception in NDSU history. Mertens was one of 37 semifinalists for the National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Trophy. He was named to the 2008 Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Academic second team and received the Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award.
Curtis, a long snapper, is a senior from New Hope, Minn. He has a grade-point average of 3.39 and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in management communication. He started in all 44 games he played as long snapper. He was named to the 2009 College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District VII first team. He received the Missouri Valley Football Conference Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award and was named to the conference’s Honor Roll.