The Colonial Athletic Association announced its postseason award winners on Tuesday and the University of New Hampshire received its fair share of accolades, including some praise for Concord’s Andrew Lauderdale.

Lauderdale, a fifth-year senior and two-year starter at offensive tackle, was named to the CAA Third Team. He was part of a line that paved the way for 25.9 points per game, the third best mark in the conference. He’ll be at left tackle when No. 22/21 UNH (7-4) hosts Lehigh (9-2) on Saturday in a first-round FCS playoff matchup.

New Hampshire senior Casey DeAndrade drew the most praise among the ’Cats, earning three individual honors – first-team cornerback, third-team punt returner and the Chuck Boone Leadership Award. It was the third straight year DeAndrade has been named to the CAA First Team defense. He ranked second for UNH in pass breakups (nine) and third in tackles (57). He also had two interceptions, including a pick-six, and two forced fumbles.

The Boone Leadership Award is, “an honor that embodies the highest standards of leadership, integrity, teamwork and sportsmanship in academics and athletics,” according to the CAA website. It was first given to UNH tight ends coach and former Wildcat offensive lineman Chris Zarkoskie in 2012. DeAndrade, a four-year-starter and team captain, is a kinesiology/pedagogy major, was a first-team Academic All-District honoree and is on the ballot for Academic All-America honors.

Freshman cornerback Prince Smith Jr. was the other ’Cat to receive a major award as he claimed the Defensive Rookie of the Year honor. Smith ranks 11th in the nation – and second in the CAA – in interceptions per game (0.45). He’s also 12th in the nation and first in the league in passes defended per game (1.45). The freshman is UNH’s leader in both pass breakups (11) and interceptions (five) and he recorded a pick-six in consecutive games with a 16-yard return at Towson University and 43-yard score against Stony Brook earlier this season.

Joining DeAndrade on the CAA First Team are senior center Tad McNeely and senior defensive end Cam Shorey. McNeely suffered a season-ending injury in the second game last year, but he came back to start all 11 games this season. He was a CAA Second Team pick in 2014.

Shorey also started all 11 games this year and finished with 36 tackles, including eight for a loss, which was the second best mark on the team. He also had two sacks, a forced fumble and finished the season with back-to-back five-tackle games against Albany and Maine.

Senior running back Dalton Crossan was named to the CAA Second Team after leading UNH in rushes (194), rushing yards (1,005), rushing touchdowns (six), all-purpose yards (1,509) and kickoff returns (13). He also ranks third in receptions (39) and fourth in receiving yards (250). He was pivotal in UNH’s regular-season finale against Maine, rushing for 163 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries and leading the Wildcats to a 24-21 win that propelled them into the playoffs for a 13th straight year.

Joining Lauderdale on the Third Team are senior linebacker DeVaughn Chollette, sophomore wide receiver Neil O’Connor and freshman safety Pop Lacey.

Chollette was an instrumental part of UNH’s much-improved run defense, which ranked third in the CAA by allowing 140.5 yards per game. Chollette was second on the team in total tackles (58) and led UNH in tackles for a loss (8.5).

O’Connor led the Wildcats in receiving yards (596) and receiving touchdowns (five) and was second in catches (45).

Lacey, a true freshman who played in all 11 games and started the last nine, led the team in tackles (66) and solo tackles (52). Both Lacey and Smith are on the watch list for the Jerry Rice Award, given annually to the top freshman in the FCS.

(Tim O’Sullivan can be reached at 369-3341 or at tosullivan@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @timosullivan20.)