TROY, N.Y. - The 2009 CoSIDA ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District football teams have been announced and Rensselaer student athletes Tim Acker and Bobby Stutz have been named to the First Team. Both are now eligible for Academic All-America consideration.

Acker, who hails from Arlington, Wash., carries a 3.73 grade point average in management. A team captain, he has started all seven games for the Engineers, and ranks second on the team with 60 tackles (39 solo). He also has a sack, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery on the season.

An Arlington High School graduate, Acker is a multiple Dean's List and Liberty League All-Academic honoree. He was a Lindy's Pre-Season All-American First Team selection as well as an AFCA National All-American at defensive back. Named the team's Special Team Player of the Year in 2008, he was also a D3Football.com All-Region Second Team return specialist and Third Team defensive back.

Stutz, a senior from Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., has a 3.72 cumulative grade point average as a mechanical engineering major. Starting in all eight games at defensive back, he leads the team with three interceptions – returned for 10 yards. He has recorded 19 tackles (12 solo), including one for a loss of two yards. He is third on the team with three pass break-ups and has also recovered a fumble.

A graduate of Dobbs Ferry High School, Stutz has been named to the first team for the second straight year. He has made the Dean's List every semester and is also a multiple Liberty League All-Academic selection. He has also worked for the Creative Engineering LLC as a project leader.

The Engineers conclude their regular season against the United States Merchant Marine Academy this Saturday at East Campus Stadium. (1pm). Live stats will be available at http://www.sidearmstats.com/rpi/football/ and can be viewed on a pay-per-view basis through the B2 Networks at http://www.b2tv.com/upcoming_events.asp. The game will also be broadcast live on WRPI, 91.5 FM and online at www.wrpi.org.