SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Slippery Rock University junior center Brandon Fusco finished third in this year's Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Super Region One competition.

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Cranberry Township native came up one spot shy of being named as a national finalist for the award named in honor of former NFL Oakland Raiders lineman Gene Upshaw.

West Liberty State College senior offensive tackle Ben Staggs and California (Pa.) senior defensive end Willie Walker finished 1-2 in the regional balloting and will join the top two candidates from the other three Super Regions on the national ballot.

Super Region One consists of schools competing in four conferences: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Northeast-10 Conference, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Fusco, a two-time first-team All-PSAC-Western Division performer, was one of only three juniors included in the field of 13 Super Region One candidates nominated for the Upshaw Award.