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DE PERE, Wis. – St. Norbert College senior defensive back Frank Laterza has earned national recognition on consecutive days.  Yesterday, he was named a finalist for the 2015 Cliff Harris Awards and today was honored as an Associated Press Third Team Little All-American. 

Laterza, a Barrington Hills, Ill., native and a St. Viator High School graduate, is one of 63 small-college defensive players who are a finalist for the award.  The award, sponsored by the Little Rock Touchdown Club, is presented to the nation's top small-college defensive player representing NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA football. The top vote getter from each division will also be announced. The winner of the award will be announced on Dec. 24.

Laterza is the fourth St. Norbert player to earn honors on a team of the AP Little All-America Team. Jerimiah Janssen was a first-team selection at linebacker in 2001 and a second-team choice in 2000. Dave Jacquet was a first-team honoree as a defensive lineman in 1964 and Norm Jarock was a first-team honoree in 1957.

Latzera was named Midwest Conference Defensive Skill Player of the Year following a year where he led the Green Knights to a 10-1 overall record and an unbeaten 10-win regular season. St. Norbert captured the Midwest Conference championship, its 16th since 1985, with a 16-7 win over Monmouth College in the league's title game on Nov. 14.

Laterza led the Green Knights this season with six interceptions with 121 return yards. He added seven passes defended, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble to his total of 23 tackles. St. Norbert's defense allowed just 155.5 yards passing per game and the unit finished with 21 interceptions, its most since 2006. The Green Knights also allowed just 13.4 points per game this season.