COLLEGEVILLE, MN - Susquehanna quarterback Josh Ehrlich has turned in another prolific season as the River Hawks' signal caller, keeping up the same tenacity from his record-setting 2024 campaign. This statement earned more validation after Friday's announcement of the Semifinalists for The Gagliardi Trophy, presented by Stearns Bank, listing Ehrlich on its short list for the second straight year as one of 15 players across NCAA Division III chosen. 

With Ehrlich at the helm the River Hawks put together another solid year in 2025, flying the Landmark Conference banner for the third straight year with an unbeaten conference record and a 10-2 overall mark entering Saturday's NCAA Third Round game at Eastern. The third-year starter was named the Landmark's Offensive Player of the Year and was twice chosen the Landmark's Offensive Athlete of the Week. His 2,597 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns rank second all-time at Susquehanna, both behind his 2024 record totals of 3,092 and 33, respectively. On the ground he picked up 724 yards on 136 rushes with seven touchdowns, amassing 3,321 total yards for second-best all-time. He has completed 216 passes on 308 tries with just one interception.

These feats were highlighted even more with his virtuoso performance in Susquehanna's 42-28 win at Christopher Newport in the NCAA Second Round, avenging a regular-season loss to the Captains back in Week 4. He was responsible for the team's first five touchdowns, taking it in himself for a career-high three rushing touchdowns and finding running back Rahshan La Mons and receiver Frankie Mroz through the air for his two touchdown passes. He completed 20-of-28 passes for 250 yards, while on the ground rushed for 59 yards on 13 attempts. Career-wise he ranks second all-time in passing touchdowns (76) and all-purpose yards (9,458), third all-time in passing yards (7,251), fourth in completions (587), and sixth in rushing yards (2,207). 

The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993, is awarded to the most outstanding NCAA Division III football player and recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award is named after John Gagliardi, Saint John's legendary Hall of Fame head football coach who passed away at the age of 91 in 2018. John retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history.
 
The list of 15 semifinalists features another quarterback-heavy class, as well as nominees from all six NCAA regions. Nearly all the semifinalists participated in at least the first round of the Division III playoffs. Three nominees – Wisconsin-River Falls' Kaleb Blaha (2023), Susquehanna's Josh Ehrlich (2024) and Curry's Diamontie Quinn (2024) – return from last year's list.
 
The Gagliardi Trophy national-selection committee is comprised of 18 Division III coaches (three from each NCAA Region), six Division III administrators (one from each region), 12 regional notable voters (two from each region) and six national voters with Division III backgrounds. A fan vote, which runs until Dec. 15, will be live soon on D3football.com. No J-Club members vote as part of the national-selection committee.

The Gagliardi Trophy finalists will be announced during a live show at 4 p.m. ET Thursday, Dec. 18, on D3football.com. Host Pat Coleman will profile the finalists during the program. The 2025 Gagliardi Trophy winner will be revealed on D3football.com during the week of the NCAA Division III football national championship game. In the lead up to the announcement of the 2025 Gagliardi Trophy winner, D3football.com will provide updates on specific dates and times of the announcement.