Orono, Maine -- University of Maine seniors Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga and Patrick Ricard have each been named to the New England Football Writers' 2016 Division-I All-New England team.

Mulumba Tshimanga and Ricard, who were both previously honored to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) all-conference first team, will be recognized at the New England Football Writers Annual Captains and Awards banquet held on Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Montvale Plaza in Stoneham, Mass.

Mulumba Tshimanga, a linebacker, ranked second in the league with 9.7 tackles per game. Mulumba Tshimanga notched double-digit tackling performances in six of the 10 games his appeared in during the 2016 season. In all, the senior linebacker finished the campaign with 97 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks and a pair of pass breakups. Mulumba Tshimanga recorded double-digit tackle totals in each of Maine's first three games, including a season-high 14 against James Madison. He ended his career with one of his best career games, tallying a game-high 11 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and 1.5 sacks with a pass breakup against New Hampshire. For his career, Mulumba Tshimanga racked up an outstanding 347 tackles.

Ricard, a defensive lineman, completed his season with 11 starts and 50 tackles, including 15.5 for loss (TFLs) and 5.5 sacks. Ricard was a constant in the opponent's backfield, ranking fifth in the league in sacks and second in TFLs. Ricard, who averaged 1.41 TFLs, was named CAA Defensive Player of the Week after notching 3.0 sacks, 3.5 TFLs and eight total tackles in a win over Bryant. Against Villanova, Ricard again tallied eight tackles but this time racked up 5.0 TFLs. Ricard finishes his Maine career with an astonishing 47.5 TFLs.

-UMaine-