Dubuque's Joseph wins Cliff Harris Award for small-college D

By AP
Published

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Dubuque's Michael Joseph is the winner of this year's Cliff Harris Award, which honors the nation's top small-college defensive player.

Joseph on Saturday became the first Division III player to win the award.

He led the Iowa Conference with eight interceptions and twice had three interceptions in a game. The defensive back returned his only career kickoff return for a 96-yard touchdown.

The award honors Cliff Harris, who went undrafted out of Ouachita Baptist and later played safety in five Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys. The award was first given out in 2013.

To be eligible, a player must be in NCAA divisions II or III or the NAIA. The award is presented by the Little Rock Touchdown Club and the Wright, Lindsey, Jennings law firm.

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