Dec. 10, 2007

WACO, Texas -- Two Great West Football Conference players were named to the AFCA Division I Football Championship Subdivision Coaches' All-America Team, it was announced on Monday. Named to the team were Cal Poly wide receiver Ramses Barden and South Dakota State offensive lineman Mitch Erickson.

For Barden, it is his second All-American team honor in 2007 as he was named to the Walker Camp team last week. Erickson, a first team All-Great West performer in 2007, is making his second consecutive appearance on the AFCA All-American team.

Barden, a 6-6, 240-pound junior from Altadena, Calif., led the Great West in receiving yards (1,467) receiving TDs (18) and yards per catch (25.7) in earning first-team all-league honors for the third straight season. He eclipsed the 200-yard receiving mark in two games this year, including a league record 268 vs. Idaho State, and caught four TD passes in one game vs. Weber State He was named the co-Offensive Player of the Year in the Great West in 2007 and was named to his third all-Great West first game.

Erickson, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound senior guard from Hutchinson, Minn., completed his collegiate playing career by helping lead the Jackrabbits to the 2007 Great West Football Conference title, the program's first conference championship in 44 years. Erickson, who started all 44 of the team's games at either guard or tackle during his Jackrabbit career from 2004-07, was part of an offensive unit that averaged 34.2 points per game and allowed only 12 sacks during the 2007 campaign.

During his career, Erickson earned first-team all-GWFC honors three times. He was honored on The Associated Press All-America Third Team in 2006, as well as receiving honorable mention All-America recognition from Don Hansen's Football Gazette. In addition, Erickson has been a two-time academic all-conference honoree and was an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection in 2007 while majoring in mechanical engineering.