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Three Bluejays Earn All-Conference Football Honors
ELMHURST, Ill. - Three members of the Elmhurst College football team have been named to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin’s (CCIW) all-conference team. Kyle Maple (Kaneville/Kaneland), Matt Belly (Bourbonnais/Bradley-Bourbonnais) and Blake Veldhuis (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./H.S.) were all received second-team recognition.
Maple, a senior safety, earned his second consecutive all-conference honor after being chosen to the first team in 2006. Despite missing some time with an injury, Maple still led the Bluejays in tackles, recording 66 on the season (45 solo). He also led the Bluejays in passes defended with seven. He also recorded 1.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback sack. Maple finished the year with two interceptions, one that he returned for a touchdown.
Maple also set a new single-game record by recording 17 solo tackles in a game against Augustana College. Maple closed out his career ranked seventh in Elmhurst career history in total tackles (243) and interceptions (10). He also ranks 10th all-time in solo tackles (133)
Kelly, a senior defensive end, earned his first all-conference honor of his career by closing out his senior season with 29 tackles. His eight tackles for loss, was the second-highest total on the squad. Kelly also recorded three quarterback sacks, two pass break-ups and four quarterback hurries.
Kelly finished his career with 127 total tackles (69 solo) and 13 quarterback sacks.
Veldhuis, a junior wide receiver, collected his first all-conference honor after registering team-highs in receptions (49), receiving yards (653), and receiving touchdowns (five). His 49 receptions was the fifth-highest single-season total in Elmhurst history. He ranked among the top-10 in the CCIW in receptions per game and receiving yards per game. He tied an Elmhurst single-game record by hauling in three touchdowns in the Bluejays’ season-opening win over Benedictine.
Veldhuis has three-year career totals of 92 receptions, 1,198 receiving yards and nine touchdown receptions. He currently ranks 10th in Elmhurst career receptions.
Elmhurst finished the 2007 season with a 6-4 overall record and a fifth-place finish in the CCIW.
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