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Oaks Safety Beau Bussani - MenloOaksSports.com
Football - Fri, Aug 20, 2010
ATHERTON, Calif. - Menlo College junior safety Beau Bussani was named to the NAIA Preseason All-Independent Team it was announced Thursday. Bussani was a First Team All-Northwest Conference selection last season, leading the Oaks defense with 71 tackles and three interceptions, and is expected to play a key role in the team's first season competing in the NAIA.
 

In addition to Bussani's preseason honor, freshman wide receiver Michael Alexander was the lone Oaks player on the 2010 NAIA Independent Newcomers Watch List. Alexander, who prepped at La Salle High in Pasadena, Calif., is an exciting playmaker expected to provide the Menlo offense with an element it has been lacking since All-American wide receiver - and NFL tight end - Nate Jackson enjoyed three record-setting seasons for the Oaks.

 

Bussani started all 10 games during his breakout sophomore season, finishing with a team-high 53 solo tackles - 22 more than any other Oak - two pass break-ups, one tackle for loss, and two blocked punts. No other Menlo defender came within 20 tackles of Bussani's team-leading 71 total stops.

 

Menlo begins its first season as an NAIA Independent on Sept. 4 at Occidental at 7 p.m. The Tigers knocked off Menlo 17-0 last season and are among the top teams outside of the Preseason D3football.com Top 25 to receive votes in the poll. The Oaks will face No. 4 Linfield and No. 18 Willamette on consecutive weekends to close out October.
 

Fellow NAIA Independent Southern Oregon - who Menlo faces twice this season - had eight players selected to the Preseason All-Independent Team while five Raiders made the Newcomers Watch List.