UW-Stout defensive end Marcus Ball, a senior from Austin, was named the D3football.com West Region defensive player of the year.

In nine games, Ball compiled 12.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks this season for the Blue Devils, who went 8-2 this season. Ball forced three fumbles and had an interception, which he returned for a touchdown. Ball is a two-time first team all-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) selection.

Ball is the fourth player from the WIAC to be named as the D3football.com West Region defensive player of the year.

Ball will play in the 2009 Tazn de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) on Saturday, December 19 on the Tec de Monterrey Campus Estado de Mexico. The game is an all-star game made up of NCAA Division III players from across the country and an all-star team from Mexico.

The teams, selected in balloting by West Region sports information directors and D3football.com staff, were chosen from 152 nominations by NCAA Division III member schools. A total of 75 players were selected to the three West Region teams. All-America honors are expected to be announced by Saturday, Dec. 19.