Central Michigan University Athletics
Photo by: Jack Reeber '23,M'25 - @jackreeber.raw
Seven Chippewas Earn All-MAC Football Honors
11/29/2023 10:57:00 AM | Football
Running back Marion Lukes earns All-MAC First Team honors as return specialist.
CLEVELAND, Ohio—Led by First Team All-MAC return specialist junior Marion Lukes, seven Central Michigan football players earned All-Mid-American Conference honors, the conference announced on Wednesday morning.
For Central Michigan, earning Second Team honors were senior offensive lineman Deiyantei Powell-Woods, junior offensive lineman Brayden Swartout, junior wide receiver Jesse Prewitt III, senior defensive lineman Jacques Bristol, and junior defensive back Donte Kent, while junior linebacker Kyle Moretti garnered Third Team honors.
The All-MAC team and yearly football awards are picked and voted upon by the conference's 12 head football coaches. The entire team is posted below.
A Charlestown, Ind. native, Lukes, who is listed on the Watch List for the CSC Comeback Player of the Year Award, concluded the year ranked nationally in four statistics: No. 9 in all-purpose yards per game (134.83), No. 6 in kickoff return touchdowns (1), No. 16 in combined kick returns (581), and No. 25 in kickoff return average (23.2). Despite teams kicking away from him, Lukes led the MAC in three of those four statistics and ranked No. 2 in kickoff returns. Lukes proved to be the league's most dangerous return man and top all-purpose player. He accumulated a conference-best 1,618 all-purpose yards (737 rushing, 300 receiving, 581 on kickoff returns). He led CMU and ranked No. 7 in the MAC in rushing with 737 yards and five touchdowns on 144 carries (5.1 average per carry), caught 29 passes for 300 yards, and returned 25 kickoffs for 581 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown. He registered six games with 100 or more all-purpose yards and two 100-yard rushing games with his top performance coming against Northern Illinois, where he topped career-highs for rushing yards (202) and all-purpose yards (254). Lukes also earned two MAC weekly awards, including Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 3) and Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 11) honors.
In his 33-game career, Lukes has totaled 2,698 combined all-purpose yards and scored 11 total touchdowns. He has rushed for 1,154 yards and eight touchdowns on 217 attempts, caught 43 passes for 445 yards and a touchdown, and totaled 1,099 kickoff return yards on 48 attempts (22.9 yards per return). Of his 11 touchdowns scored, he has eight rushing, one receiving, and two on kickoff returns. In his career, he has three 100-yard rushing games, three 200-yard all-purpose games, and eight 100-yard all-purpose games. Lukes is an Entrepreneurship major.
A preseason Outland Trophy Watch List member and consensus preseason All-MAC offensive lineman, Powell-Woods earns All-MAC honors for the second year in a row. A Bluefield, W.Va. native, Powell-Woods started all 10 games that he played in on the year at both right and left guard. He was also a part of a CMU offensive line that allowed just 26 sacks on the season. Over his five-year collegiate career, he saw action in 51 games with 38 starts and previously made starts in 25 consecutive contests. Powell-Woods, who served as a team captain in two games, was a Third Team All-MAC selection last season. He is an Organizational Leadership major.
An Essexville, Mich. native, Swartout takes home All-MAC honors for the first time in his career. Swartout started all 12 games at right tackle and was part of CMU's offensive line that allowed just 26 sacks on the year. Over his three-year career, Swartout has seen action in 28 games and started 25 consecutive contests. He also served as a team captain in three games and is a Professional Sales major.
Wide receiver Jesse Prewitt III burst onto the scene in 2023 as he led the Chippewas in both receptions (31) and touchdown receptions (four) and ranked second in both receiving yards (438) and receiving yards per game (36.5). He also averaged 14.13 yards per catch. His top performance came at South Alabama when he notched career-highs for receptions (10) and receiving yards (142) and scored on a key 70-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jase Bauer. Prewitt, a Columbus, Ohio native, started nine of CMU's 12 games, served as a team captain in three games, and registered at least one reception in 10 of 12 games on the year. He has played in 20 career games. Prewitt is a Communications major.
A consensus preseason All-MAC selection, Jacques Bristol led Central Michigan in both tackles for loss (8.0-26 yards) and sacks (4.0-16 yards) from his defensive tackle position. While starting 11 of 12 games and serving as a team captain six times, Bristol also finished the year with five quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and 44 tackles (18 solo). His top performance came in the season opener at Michigan State, where he registered career-highs for tackles for loss (2.0) and tackles (7.0). Bristol concluded his five-year, 57-game career with 144 total tackles (71 solo), 28.0 tackles for loss for 117 yards, 13.0 sacks for 64 yards, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. A Sarasota, Fla. native, Bristol started 41 games for the Chippewas. He has already graduated with a degree in Entrepreneurship.
Donte Kent earns All-MAC honors for the second consecutive year. After making a position switch from cornerback to free safety, Kent finished the year ranked No. 3 on the squad and No. 29 in the MAC in tackles with 58 (39 solo), led the Chippewas in pass breakups with seven, and registered 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, and a quarterback hurry. He led the Chippewas in tackles in three games and registered two 10-plus tackle games. Over his four-year, 41-game career, Kent has totaled 182 tackles (138 solo), 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 37 pass breakups, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. The Harrisburg, Pa. native entered the year as a Bronko Nagurski Award Watch list player and consensus All-MAC preseason honoree. Kent is a Sport Management major.
For the second consecutive year, junior linebacker Kyle Moretti earned All-MAC honors. In 2023, Moretti saw action in nine games, ranked No. 11 in the MAC (7.2 tackles per game) and second on the team in tackles with 65 (32 solo), finished with 5.0 tackles for loss for 11 yards, 2.0 sacks, four pass breakups, and a quarterback hurry. He finished the year with three 10-plus tackle games, despite missing three contests in the middle of the year with an injury, but the consensus preseason All-MAC player battled back to see action in CMU's final two contests. His top statistical performances included a career-high 14 tackle game at Michigan State, and a 2.0 sack, 10-tackle performance vs. Eastern Michigan that earned him the MAC Defensive Player of the Week award. In his 34-game, three-year career, Moretti has totaled 207 tackles (116 solo), 16.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He has five career 10-plus tackle outings. The Arvada, Colo. native is a Finance major.
Below are the All-MAC selections and award-winners:
2023 ALL-MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL SELECTIONS
2023 MAC Football Postseason Specialty Awards & All-Conference Teams
Coach of the Year: Jason Candle, Toledo
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: Dequan Finn, QB, Toledo
Offensive Player of the Year: Peny Boone, RB, Toledo
Defensive Player of the Year: Matt Salopek, LB, Miami
Special Teams Player of the Year: Graham Nicholson, PK, Miami
Freshman of the Year: Jalen Buckley, RB, Western Michigan
2023 All-MAC First Team Offense
Quarterback – Dequan Finn, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Corey Stewart, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Nolan Potter, NIU
Offensive Lineman – Nick Rosi, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Vinny Sciury, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Jacob Gideon, Western Michigan
Tight End – Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Chrishon McCray, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Sam Wiglusz, Ohio
Wide Receiver – Jerjuan Newton, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Kenneth Womack, Western Michigan
Running Back – Antario Brown, NIU
Running Back – Peny Boone, Toledo
Placekicker – Graham Nicholson, Miami
2023 All-MAC First Team Defense
Down Lineman – CJ Nunnally, Akron
Down Lineman – Sidney Houston, Ball State
Down Lineman – Caiden Woullard, Miami
Down Lineman – Judge Culpepper, Toledo
Linebacker – Matt Salopek, Miami
Linebacker – Bryce Houston, Ohio
Linebacker – Keye Thompson, Ohio
Linebacker – Dallas Gant, Toledo
Defensive Back – Jalen Huskey, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Devin Grant, Buffalo
Defensive Back – Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Defensive Back – Maxen Hook, Toledo
Punter – Mitchell Tomasek, Eastern Michigan
2023 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Marion Lukes, Central Michigan
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jacquez Stuart, Toledo
2023 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback – Kurtis Rourke, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Deiyantei Powell-Woods, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Brayden Swartout, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Brian Dooley, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Will Jados, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Reid Holskey, Miami
Tight End – Anthony Torres, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Daniel George, Akron
Wide Receiver – Jasaiah Gathings, Akron
Wide Receiver – Tanner Knue, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Jesse Prewitt III, Central Michigan
Running Back – Marquez Cooper, Ball State
Running Back – Terion Stewart, Bowling Green
Placekicker – Andrew Glass, Kent State
2023 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Down Lineman – Jacques Bristol, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Brian Ugwu, Miami
Down Lineman – James Ester, NIU
Down Lineman – Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
Linebacker – Cole Pearce, Ball State
Linebacker – Darren Anders, Bowling Green
Linebacker – Joe Sparacio, Eastern Michigan
Linebacker – Ty Wise, Miami
Defensive Back – Jordan Oladokun, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Donte Kent, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Yahsyn McKnee, Miami
Defensive Back – JaVaughn Byrd, NIU
Punter – Alex Bevelhimer, Miami
2023 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jaylon Jackson, Eastern Michigan
Kickoff Return Specialist – Cade McDonald, Miami
2023 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Quarterback – Brett Gabbert, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Damon Kaylor, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Alex Wollschlaeger, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – Gabe Wallace, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Tyler Doty, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Addison West, Western Michigan
Tight End – Tanner Koziol, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Odieu Hiliare, Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Luke Floriea, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Trayvon Rudolph, NIU
Wide Receiver – Anthony Sambucci, Western Michigan
Running Back – Rashad Amos, Miami
Running Back – Jalen Buckley, Western Michigan
Placekicker – Luke Pawlak, Toledo
2023 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Down Lineman – CJ West, Kent State
Down Lineman – Vonnie Watkins, Ohio
Down Lineman – Rayyan Buell, Ohio
Down Lineman – Darius Alexander, Toledo
Linebacker – Bryan McCoy, Akron
Linebacker – Cashius Howell, Bowling Green
Linebacker – Kyle Moretti, Central Michigan
Linebacker – Chase Kline, Eastern Michigan
Defensive Back – KJ Martin, Akron
Defensive Back – Davon Ferguson, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Chris McDonald Jr., Toledo
Defensive Back – Keni-H Lovely, Western Michigan
Punter – Lucas Borrow, Ball State
2023 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jhaylin Embry, Bowling Green
Kickoff Return Specialist – Ron Cook, Buffalo
For Central Michigan, earning Second Team honors were senior offensive lineman Deiyantei Powell-Woods, junior offensive lineman Brayden Swartout, junior wide receiver Jesse Prewitt III, senior defensive lineman Jacques Bristol, and junior defensive back Donte Kent, while junior linebacker Kyle Moretti garnered Third Team honors.
The All-MAC team and yearly football awards are picked and voted upon by the conference's 12 head football coaches. The entire team is posted below.
A Charlestown, Ind. native, Lukes, who is listed on the Watch List for the CSC Comeback Player of the Year Award, concluded the year ranked nationally in four statistics: No. 9 in all-purpose yards per game (134.83), No. 6 in kickoff return touchdowns (1), No. 16 in combined kick returns (581), and No. 25 in kickoff return average (23.2). Despite teams kicking away from him, Lukes led the MAC in three of those four statistics and ranked No. 2 in kickoff returns. Lukes proved to be the league's most dangerous return man and top all-purpose player. He accumulated a conference-best 1,618 all-purpose yards (737 rushing, 300 receiving, 581 on kickoff returns). He led CMU and ranked No. 7 in the MAC in rushing with 737 yards and five touchdowns on 144 carries (5.1 average per carry), caught 29 passes for 300 yards, and returned 25 kickoffs for 581 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown. He registered six games with 100 or more all-purpose yards and two 100-yard rushing games with his top performance coming against Northern Illinois, where he topped career-highs for rushing yards (202) and all-purpose yards (254). Lukes also earned two MAC weekly awards, including Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 3) and Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 11) honors.
In his 33-game career, Lukes has totaled 2,698 combined all-purpose yards and scored 11 total touchdowns. He has rushed for 1,154 yards and eight touchdowns on 217 attempts, caught 43 passes for 445 yards and a touchdown, and totaled 1,099 kickoff return yards on 48 attempts (22.9 yards per return). Of his 11 touchdowns scored, he has eight rushing, one receiving, and two on kickoff returns. In his career, he has three 100-yard rushing games, three 200-yard all-purpose games, and eight 100-yard all-purpose games. Lukes is an Entrepreneurship major.
A preseason Outland Trophy Watch List member and consensus preseason All-MAC offensive lineman, Powell-Woods earns All-MAC honors for the second year in a row. A Bluefield, W.Va. native, Powell-Woods started all 10 games that he played in on the year at both right and left guard. He was also a part of a CMU offensive line that allowed just 26 sacks on the season. Over his five-year collegiate career, he saw action in 51 games with 38 starts and previously made starts in 25 consecutive contests. Powell-Woods, who served as a team captain in two games, was a Third Team All-MAC selection last season. He is an Organizational Leadership major.
An Essexville, Mich. native, Swartout takes home All-MAC honors for the first time in his career. Swartout started all 12 games at right tackle and was part of CMU's offensive line that allowed just 26 sacks on the year. Over his three-year career, Swartout has seen action in 28 games and started 25 consecutive contests. He also served as a team captain in three games and is a Professional Sales major.
Wide receiver Jesse Prewitt III burst onto the scene in 2023 as he led the Chippewas in both receptions (31) and touchdown receptions (four) and ranked second in both receiving yards (438) and receiving yards per game (36.5). He also averaged 14.13 yards per catch. His top performance came at South Alabama when he notched career-highs for receptions (10) and receiving yards (142) and scored on a key 70-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jase Bauer. Prewitt, a Columbus, Ohio native, started nine of CMU's 12 games, served as a team captain in three games, and registered at least one reception in 10 of 12 games on the year. He has played in 20 career games. Prewitt is a Communications major.
A consensus preseason All-MAC selection, Jacques Bristol led Central Michigan in both tackles for loss (8.0-26 yards) and sacks (4.0-16 yards) from his defensive tackle position. While starting 11 of 12 games and serving as a team captain six times, Bristol also finished the year with five quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and 44 tackles (18 solo). His top performance came in the season opener at Michigan State, where he registered career-highs for tackles for loss (2.0) and tackles (7.0). Bristol concluded his five-year, 57-game career with 144 total tackles (71 solo), 28.0 tackles for loss for 117 yards, 13.0 sacks for 64 yards, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. A Sarasota, Fla. native, Bristol started 41 games for the Chippewas. He has already graduated with a degree in Entrepreneurship.
Donte Kent earns All-MAC honors for the second consecutive year. After making a position switch from cornerback to free safety, Kent finished the year ranked No. 3 on the squad and No. 29 in the MAC in tackles with 58 (39 solo), led the Chippewas in pass breakups with seven, and registered 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, and a quarterback hurry. He led the Chippewas in tackles in three games and registered two 10-plus tackle games. Over his four-year, 41-game career, Kent has totaled 182 tackles (138 solo), 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 37 pass breakups, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. The Harrisburg, Pa. native entered the year as a Bronko Nagurski Award Watch list player and consensus All-MAC preseason honoree. Kent is a Sport Management major.
For the second consecutive year, junior linebacker Kyle Moretti earned All-MAC honors. In 2023, Moretti saw action in nine games, ranked No. 11 in the MAC (7.2 tackles per game) and second on the team in tackles with 65 (32 solo), finished with 5.0 tackles for loss for 11 yards, 2.0 sacks, four pass breakups, and a quarterback hurry. He finished the year with three 10-plus tackle games, despite missing three contests in the middle of the year with an injury, but the consensus preseason All-MAC player battled back to see action in CMU's final two contests. His top statistical performances included a career-high 14 tackle game at Michigan State, and a 2.0 sack, 10-tackle performance vs. Eastern Michigan that earned him the MAC Defensive Player of the Week award. In his 34-game, three-year career, Moretti has totaled 207 tackles (116 solo), 16.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He has five career 10-plus tackle outings. The Arvada, Colo. native is a Finance major.
Below are the All-MAC selections and award-winners:
2023 ALL-MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL SELECTIONS
2023 MAC Football Postseason Specialty Awards & All-Conference Teams
Coach of the Year: Jason Candle, Toledo
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: Dequan Finn, QB, Toledo
Offensive Player of the Year: Peny Boone, RB, Toledo
Defensive Player of the Year: Matt Salopek, LB, Miami
Special Teams Player of the Year: Graham Nicholson, PK, Miami
Freshman of the Year: Jalen Buckley, RB, Western Michigan
2023 All-MAC First Team Offense
Quarterback – Dequan Finn, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Corey Stewart, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Nolan Potter, NIU
Offensive Lineman – Nick Rosi, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Vinny Sciury, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Jacob Gideon, Western Michigan
Tight End – Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Chrishon McCray, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Sam Wiglusz, Ohio
Wide Receiver – Jerjuan Newton, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Kenneth Womack, Western Michigan
Running Back – Antario Brown, NIU
Running Back – Peny Boone, Toledo
Placekicker – Graham Nicholson, Miami
2023 All-MAC First Team Defense
Down Lineman – CJ Nunnally, Akron
Down Lineman – Sidney Houston, Ball State
Down Lineman – Caiden Woullard, Miami
Down Lineman – Judge Culpepper, Toledo
Linebacker – Matt Salopek, Miami
Linebacker – Bryce Houston, Ohio
Linebacker – Keye Thompson, Ohio
Linebacker – Dallas Gant, Toledo
Defensive Back – Jalen Huskey, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Devin Grant, Buffalo
Defensive Back – Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Defensive Back – Maxen Hook, Toledo
Punter – Mitchell Tomasek, Eastern Michigan
2023 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Marion Lukes, Central Michigan
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jacquez Stuart, Toledo
2023 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback – Kurtis Rourke, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Deiyantei Powell-Woods, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Brayden Swartout, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Brian Dooley, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Will Jados, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Reid Holskey, Miami
Tight End – Anthony Torres, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Daniel George, Akron
Wide Receiver – Jasaiah Gathings, Akron
Wide Receiver – Tanner Knue, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Jesse Prewitt III, Central Michigan
Running Back – Marquez Cooper, Ball State
Running Back – Terion Stewart, Bowling Green
Placekicker – Andrew Glass, Kent State
2023 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Down Lineman – Jacques Bristol, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Brian Ugwu, Miami
Down Lineman – James Ester, NIU
Down Lineman – Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
Linebacker – Cole Pearce, Ball State
Linebacker – Darren Anders, Bowling Green
Linebacker – Joe Sparacio, Eastern Michigan
Linebacker – Ty Wise, Miami
Defensive Back – Jordan Oladokun, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Donte Kent, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Yahsyn McKnee, Miami
Defensive Back – JaVaughn Byrd, NIU
Punter – Alex Bevelhimer, Miami
2023 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jaylon Jackson, Eastern Michigan
Kickoff Return Specialist – Cade McDonald, Miami
2023 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Quarterback – Brett Gabbert, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Damon Kaylor, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Alex Wollschlaeger, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – Gabe Wallace, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Tyler Doty, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Addison West, Western Michigan
Tight End – Tanner Koziol, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Odieu Hiliare, Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Luke Floriea, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Trayvon Rudolph, NIU
Wide Receiver – Anthony Sambucci, Western Michigan
Running Back – Rashad Amos, Miami
Running Back – Jalen Buckley, Western Michigan
Placekicker – Luke Pawlak, Toledo
2023 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Down Lineman – CJ West, Kent State
Down Lineman – Vonnie Watkins, Ohio
Down Lineman – Rayyan Buell, Ohio
Down Lineman – Darius Alexander, Toledo
Linebacker – Bryan McCoy, Akron
Linebacker – Cashius Howell, Bowling Green
Linebacker – Kyle Moretti, Central Michigan
Linebacker – Chase Kline, Eastern Michigan
Defensive Back – KJ Martin, Akron
Defensive Back – Davon Ferguson, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Chris McDonald Jr., Toledo
Defensive Back – Keni-H Lovely, Western Michigan
Punter – Lucas Borrow, Ball State
2023 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jhaylin Embry, Bowling Green
Kickoff Return Specialist – Ron Cook, Buffalo
—CMU—
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