2008 huskies player profiles

niuhuskies.com 53 2008 huskies player profiles

yards per kickoff return as he returned 12 kicks for 182 yards on the year. Ranked third on the team with 514 all-purpose yards, behind 50 only Justin Anderson and Matt Simon. Reached the 100 yard mark in returns twice. Recorded a season-high 116 return yards on six kickoff eddie returns against Navy (11-17). Returned four kickoffs for 100 yards, including a season-long 37-yard effort at Wisconsin (10-20). Caught the first touchdown pass of his career on a 23-yard throw from Ryan Adamski Morris against Ball State (11-24). Also returned five kickoffs for 84 C | 6-3 | 280 | Jr.-RS | 2L yards, including a 32-yard burst, in that game. Returned NIU’s first kickoff of the season 30 yards in the season-opener vs. Iowa (9-1). Kildeer, IL | Carmel Had two kickoff returns for 29 yards against SIU (9-8). Returned two Member of Head Coach Jerry Kill’s Leadership Council. kickoffs, one for 22 yards, against Western Michigan (10-13). Also 2007: Starting center for the second straight season. Played and caught two passes for three yards in that game. Totaled three kickoff started all 12 games, calling signals for the Huskies’ offensive line. returns for 56 yards at Toledo (10-27). Graded out at 81.4 percent on the season to rank first on the team. 2006: Saw action in eight contests, including the bowl game. Served Competed at 85 percent at Navy (11-17). Recorded an 85 percent as reserve wide receiver and on special teams. Had one tackle grade vs. SIU (9-8) Graded at over 80 percent eight times on the during the season with a stop on special teams at Western Michigan season. Helped lead the way for NIU’s ninth straight 1,000-yard rusher (10-14). and was responsible for pass protection on 378 passing attempts. 2005: Appeared in three games and caught two passes for 24 2006: Scripps Freshman All-America honoree by the Football Writers yards. Both catches, including a 22-yarder, came against Tennessee Association of America. Honorable Mention Freshman All-American Tech (9-17). Saw action against Kent State (10-22) and vs. Western by The Sporting News. Started all 12 games at center, including the Michigan (11-23). Poinsettia Bowl. Anchored line that produced MAC’s second-ranked 2004: Redshirted. rushing and total offense and third-best scoring attack. Totaled 43 High School: No. 1 rated Class 4A-6A receiver in Dade County as knockdown blocks and ranked second on team with 10 flatbacks. a senior. Team captain and MVP, first team Miami Herald Class Graded out at 86 percent or better in all games and had four or more 4A-6A All-County, and second team all-state as a senior. Totaled knockdown blocks in six contests. Recorded 91 percent grade and had 46 receptions for 682 yards (14.8 avg.) and seven touchdowns and six knockdown blocks in collegiate debut at Ohio State (9-2). Graded had two 100-yard receiving games during his senior year. Selected at 94 percent and racked up six knockdowns and three flatbacks for Dade-Broward All-Star Game following his senior season. Team against Buffalo (9-16). Totaled eight knockdowns and four flatbacks captain and MVP, two-time Miami Herald Player of the Week and at Ball State (9-30). Recorded season-high 95 percent grade and five second team all-county as a junior. Made 26 catches for 603 yards knockdowns at Eastern Michigan (11-24). (23.2 avg.) and 10 TDs during his junior season. Set school single 2005: Redshirted. game records with 234 receiving yards and five TD receptions as a High School: Consensus all-state selection, listed among “Five to junior. Three-time letterwinner in both football and track. Won district Watch” in 2005 class by the Daily Herald and called “one of the best track titles in the 110 high hurdles (outdoor), 300 hurdles (indoor), in the area” by the Sun-Times. Named team captain and Most and triple jump during junior year. Valuable Offensive Lineman, first team All-East Suburban Catholic Personal: Born Jan. 23, 1986 in Miami, Fla. Marketing major earned Conference, Special Mention Chicago Sun-Times All-Area, first team his bachelor’s degree in May and will pursue his master’s degree Daily Herald Lake County All-Area, special mention Champaign News- in 2008. Victory Scholar earned a 3.75 GPA for the 2008 spring Gazette All-State, special mention Chicago Tribune All-State, and semester. first-team High School Football Coaches Association All-State on Class 6A state playoff qualifier as a senior. Tabbed on preseason Adonis’ career Statistics Chicago Sun-Times Top 100 Area Player and Chicago Tribune league Player to Watch lists entering his senior year. Recorded 27 tackles Receiving and one fumble recovery as a defensive tackle and played offensive Year g/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm guard and long snapper in his final season. Starting center helped 2005 3/0 2 24 12.0 0 22 8.0 lead 4,000-yard rushing attack on 14-0 Class 6A state champion as a 2006 8/0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 junior. Two-time football letterwinner. 2007 12/1 3 26 8.7 1 23 2.2 Personal: Born Oct. 4, 1986. Technology major. Outdoor enthusiast Career 23/1 5 50 10.0 1 23 2.2 who enjoys fishing, boating and hunting. KickOFF Returns Year no. Yds. Avg. TD Lg 13 2007 26 488 18.8 0 37

evans Career Highs Catches: 2, vs. Tennessee Tech, 9-17-05; at Wisconsin, 10-20-07 Adonis Yards: 23, vs. Ball State, 11-24-07 WR | 6-0 | 190 | Sr.-RS | 2L Long Gain: 23, vs. Ball State, 11-24-07 Kickoff Return: 37, at Wisconsin, 10-20-07 Miami, FL | Southwest Return Yards/Game: 116, at Navy, 11-17-07 Ranks fifth in the NIU record book with 26 career kickoff returns and seventh in kickoff return yardage with 488. 2007: Played in 12 games, primarily as a kick returner and on special teams. Started at wide receiver vs. Wisconsin (10-20) and caught three passes for 26 yards on the season. Led the team with 18.8

54 niuhuskies.com 2008 huskies player profiles 9 josh Allen LB | 6-0 | 215 | Sr. | 3L North Chicago, IL | North Chicago 2007: Started all 12 games at strong-side linebacker. One of only 10 defensive players to play in all 12 games in 2007. Ranked third on the team and led the linebacking corps with a career and single- season best 89 tackles, 33 of those solo. Had nine tackles for loss, the second-most on the squad, with at least one tackle for loss in six games. Registered two sacks. Collected nine or more tackles on five occasions. Set his career-high with 15 tackles, with eight solo “My teammates are family, people I would do anything for.” and one for loss, at Toledo (10-27). Made nine tackles, one for loss - Josh Allen vs. (9-8). Tallied 10 stops and forced a fumble vs. Eastern Michigan (9-14). Racked up nine tackles, including two for Allen’s career Statistics loss, at Central Michigan (9-29). Recorded eight tackles, one for loss at Wisconsin (10-27). Had nine tackles, with two for loss, vs. Kent Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU State (11-10). Broke up three passes on the season. 2005 12/4 21 16 37 3-7 0-0 0/0 0/1 2006: Appeared in 11 contests, including the bowl game, with one 2006 11/1 4 3 7 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/0 start. Totaled seven tackles as linebacker and on special teams. Had 2007 12/12 33 56 89 9-22 2-12 1/0 0/3 two tackles in start at Ohio State (9-2). Made two stops against Buffalo Career 35/17 58 75 133 12-29 2-12 1/0 0/4 (9-16). Credited with one tackle at Miami (10-8) and at Western Michigan (10-14). Saw time vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). Career Highs 2005: Played in 12 games and made four starts as a true freshman. Tackles: 15, at Toledo, 10-27-07 Amassed 37 tackles, including three for loss, and had one pass TFLs: 2, twice, last vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 deflection. Recorded tackle for loss vs. Tennessee Tech (9-17). Totaled four stops, including one for loss, at Akron (9-24). Made first collegiate start against Miami (10-5). Racked up 11 tackles in start vs. Eastern Michigan (10-15). Collected five tackles, one for loss, at Kent State 21 (10-22). Recorded six stops in start vs. Ball State (10-29). Made four tackles at Toledo (11-16). Credited with pass deflection vs. Akron in justin the MAC Championship Game (12-1). High School: Team captain and MVP, first team North Suburban Conference All-Prairie Division, first team Waukegan News-Sun Anderson All-County, and special mention Chicago Sun-Times All-Area as a TB | 6-0 | 225 | Jr.-RS | 2L senior. Produced 1,352 yards of total offense and 15 touchdowns, Chicago, IL | Steinmetz including 910 rushing yards with 11 TDs. Completed 24-of-79 passes for 442 yards and four scores as a . Totaled 20 tackles, 2007: A second team All-MAC selection after recording the ninth two interceptions and two forced fumbles as defensive back on 6-4 consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season by a Huskie tailback. Named league co-champ and Class 6A playoff qualifier during his senior a sophomore All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com and a season. Entered senior campaign among Chicago Sun-Times Top second team All-MAC choice by Phil Steele. Ranked fourth in the MAC 100 Area Players and on the Chicago Tribune conference Players and 27th nationally with 103.75 rushing yards per game. Named the to Watch list. First team NSC All-Prairie Division and Second-Team Huskies’ offensive MVP for 2007. Set a NIU record for running backs Waukegan News-Sun All-County as junior. Totaled 349 rushing yards with 45 receptions and caught passes in 10 consecutive games. and four touchdowns with seven receptions for 231 yards and four Averaged 125.67 all-purpose yards per game to rank eighth in the touchdowns as running back; completed 7-of-12 pass attempts for MAC while placing 15th with 5.50 points per game and tying for 15th 158 yards and two TDs as reserve quarterback; returned six kickoffs with 3.75 receptions per contest. Accounted for 39 percent of NIU’s for 154 yards and one TD; and totaled 39 tackles, nine for loss, with touchdowns with 11 and totaled 29 percent of the team’s scoring. one interception and one fumble recovery on playoff qualifier during Averaged 120.4 rushing yards per game versus MAC competition. junior year. Earned four letters in football and . Three time Tied the school’s seventh-highest 100-yard game total with seven all-county basketball selection. Team captain, first team NSC All- and surpassed the 130-yard mark in each of his first five starts after Prairie Division, and first team Waukegan News-Sun All-County after becoming the starting tailback in game three. Totaled 1,245 rushing averaging 20.6 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals yards on 274 carries with eight touchdowns and caught 45 passes for during senior year. First team All-NSC and second team all-county 263 yards and three scores for the year. Rushing total ranks 12th on after posting 15.8 points and four rebounds per contest as a junior. NIU’s all-time list, while his 274 carries is eighth. Injured in the first School’s scoring leader and the No. 8 scorer in Lake County history. quarter of the season finale versus Ball State and missed most of the Personal: Born Feb. 17, 1987 in Lake Forest, Ill. General studies game. Caught five passes for 27 yards in the season opener against major. Enjoys weight lifting and playing video games. Iowa (9-1). Scored three touchdowns (two receiving and one rushing) while catching eight passes for 87 yards and rushing 21 times for 78 yards vs. Southern Illinois (9-8). Recorded his first 100-yard rushing game with 168 yards on 28 carries with one touchdown while adding niuhuskies.com 55 2008 huskies player profiles six catches for 45 yards vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15). Amassed 167 rushing yards on 35 carries with a one-yard touchdown run at Idaho (9-22). Totaled 157 yards rushing on 28 attempts and caught three 49 passes for 13 yards at Central Michigan (9-29). Rushed 29 times for 163 yards with two touchdowns, including a 39-yard scamper, anthony at Temple (10-6). Racked up 132 rushing yards with a season-long carry of 52 yards, and added six receptions for 30 yards against Western Michigan (10-13). Carried 24 times for 116 yards and one Antonacci touchdown at Toledo (10-27). Rushed for 98 yards on 19 carries with FB | 6-1 | 240 | Jr.-RS | 1L one touchdown and added four catches for 27 yards and a 16-yard score through the air vs. Kent State (11-10). Recorded 140 rushing Naperville, IL | Neuqua Valley yards on a season-high 39 carries with one touchdown and caught Moved from defensive end to fullback during the spring of 2008. seven passes for 36 yards at Navy (11-17). 2007: Appeared in three games on special teams before injuring his 2006: Played in 11 games as reserve running back and on special knee vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15). teams. Team’s third-leading rusher with 117 yards on 25 carries with 2006: Played in 10 contests, including the bowl game. Totaled four one touchdown. Made collegiate debut at Ohio State (9-2). Carried six tackles, two for loss, with one sack and one fumble recovery on the times for 53 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown, vs. Indiana State season. Made collegiate debut against Ohio (9-9). Registered his first (9-23). Rushed four times for eight yards vs. Temple (10-21) Gained collegiate sack and recovered fumble in a three-tackle performance 53 yards on 10 rushing attemptsat Eastern Michigan (11-24). Had vs. Indiana State (9-23). Credited with a tackle for loss vs. TCU in the three carries for four yards vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). 2005: Redshirted. 2005: Redshirted. High School: Ranked No. 29 among Illinois prospects, No. 65 nationally and was a three-star recruit by Rivals.com. Entered last “To really be a part of the team means respect. season at No. 67 among Midwest Top 100 Players by The Sporting News, and No. 80 among Midwest Hot 100 by Score.com. Four-year You have to earn respect - of your teammates, your option quarterback produced 4,225 yards of total offense and 58 touchdowns during his career. Team MVP, first team Chicago Public coaches - and that is why you push yourself.” League All-Section, and second team Chicago Sun-Times All-Public - Anthony Antonacci League as a senior. Rushed for 840 yards (8.7 avg.) and 12 TDs on 97 carries for Class 8A playoff qualifier during senior season. Entered High School: Served as team captain, won the team Best Defensive final campaign as Chicago Sun-Times Top 100 Area Player and Lineman Award, and Most Influential Teammate Award. Named first Chicago Tribune conference Player to Watch. Listed No. 18 among team All- and loop Defensive MVP, first team Top 30 Junior Prospects by Chicago Sun-Times following selection Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area, special mention Chicago Sun- as team MVP, frst team all-section, first team Chicago Sun-Times All- Times All-Area, Special Mention Chicago Tribune All-State, and first Public League and special mention all-area during junior year. Totaled team Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Academic All- 1,541 yards of total offense and 26 TDs, including 1,288 rushing State as a senior. Owns school career records with 17.5 career sacks yards (school’s first 1,000-yard season) and 18 TDs on 9-2 league and 37 tackles for loss. Totaled 54 tackles, 12 for loss, five sacks and champ and playoff team that year. Set school record with a 92-yard three blocked kicks on 8-2 conference co-champ and Class 8A playoff rush as a junior. Rushed for 922 yards and nine TDs for 12-1 team as qualifier during senior year. Entered senior campaign onChicago Sun- a sophomore. Earned four football letters and one in basketball. Times and Chicago Tribune Top 100 Area Players lists. First team All- Personal: Born July 4, 1986. General studies major. UEC and first teamDaily Herald DuPage County All-Area as junior. Set school records with 21 tackles for loss and 10 sacks while totaling Anderson’s career Statistics 83 tackles and three fumble recoveries on 7-3 playoff qualifier during junior season. Had five TFL in playoff game as a junior. Made 21 stops Rushing and collected 2.5 sacks on school’s first state playoff squad as a Year g/GS no. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm sophomore. Three-year Upstate Eight Conference All-Academic pick. 2006 11/0 25 117 4.7 1 16 10.6 Recruited by Toledo and Western Michigan. 2007 12/10 274 1245 4.5 8 52 103.8 Personal: Born Sept. 12, 1986. Biology major. Victory Scholar who Career 23/10 299 1362 4.6 9 52 59.2 owns a 3.85 cumulative GPA. Son of Rich and Phyllis Antonacci. Admires Dick Butkus and Julius Peppers. Father, Rich Antonacci, RECEIVING lettered as offensive tackle at Illinois in 1977 when Joe Novak served Year g/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm on the Fighting Illini staff. 2006 11/0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ANTONACCI’s career Statistics 2007 12/10 45 263 5.8 3 23 21.9 Career 23/10 45 263 5.8 3 23 21.9 Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU 2006 10/0 1 4 5 2-11 1-10 0/1 0/0 Career Highs 2007 3/0 0 0 0 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/0 Rushing Attempts: 39, at Navy, 11-17-07 Career 13/0 1 4 5 2-11 1-10 0/1 0/0 Rushing Yards: 168, vs. Eastern Michigan, 9-15-07 Rushing TDs: 2, at Temple, 10-6-07 Career Highs Long Run: 52, vs. Western Michigan, 10-13-07 Tackles: 3, vs. Indiana State, 9-23-06 Catches: 8, vs. Southern Illinois, 9-8-07 TFLs: 1, twice, last vs. TCU (Poinsettia Bowl), 12-19-06 Yards: 87, vs. Southern Illinois, 9-8-07 Sacks: 1, vs. Indiana State, 9-23-06 Receiving TDs: 2, vs. Southern Illinois, 9-8-07 Long Catch: 23, vs. Southern Illinois, 9-8-07

56 niuhuskies.com 2008 huskies player profiles 88 96 brandon bryan Beal Beckner TE | 6-3 | 250 | Sr.-RS | 3L TE | 6-4 | 260 | So.-RS | 1L St. Louis, MO | Vianney Bourbonnais, IL | Bishop McNamara 2007: Played in 10 games and started the final two games of the 2007: Started seven of 10 games in which he played. Started the season at Navy (11-17) and vs. Ball State (11-24). Caught four passes Huskie Stadium opener vs. SIU (9-8). Caught one pass for nine yards for 27 yards on the season to average 6.8 yards per catch. Made one vs. Ball State (11-24), his only catch of the year. Started consecutive catch for a season-long 14 yards and a first down vs. Southern Illinois games against Toledo (10-17), Kent State (11-10) and Navy (11-17). (9-8). Third-down catch helped keep a drive that resulted in a Chris Moved up the depth chart as injuries hit the tight end position. Nendick field goal alive in that game. Caught one pass for three yards 2006: Redshirted. vs. Western Michigan (10-13) while playing in 43-of-59 offensive High School: First team Catholic League All-White Division, honorable plays. Caught one pass for six yards vs. Ball State (11-24). On the field mention Kankakee Daily Journal All-Area, and Illinois Football Coaches for 66-of-79 plays at Navy (11-17). Association Academic All-State as senior. Caught 22 passes for 340 2006: Played in eight contests, including the bowl game. Served as yards (15.5 avg.) and six touchdowns as tight end while adding 30 reserve tight end and special teams contributor, mainly on punt unit. tackles, 10 pass deflections, and seven sacks as defensive end Saw time on special teams and was unofficially credited with a tackle on 9-3 conference champion and Class 5A playoff qualifier during by coaches at Ohio State (9-2). Played 12 plays on offense vs. Indiana senior season. Entered senior campaign on preseason Chicago Sun- State (9-23). Made appearance vs. TCU in Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). Times league Top Five Players and Area Top 100 Players lists. Had 2005: Appeared in 10 games, mainly on the punt unit. Totaled three 20 receptions for 280 yards (14.0 avg.) and seven TDs on playoff tackles on the season. Saw time on season-high five offensive plays qualifier as junior. National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, and vs. Tennessee Tech (9-17). Honor Roll student. 2004: Redshirted. Personal: Born Sept. 4, 1987. Accountancy major. Made cumulative 3.0 GPA list following 2008 Spring semester. Son of Dave and Cheryl “Huskie Football is coming out here every day, early in Beckner. the morning when everyone else is still in bed, to put forth the effort to become a better football team.” 56 - Brandon Beal brandon High School: Ranked No. 19 on St. Louis Post-Dispatch Super 30 Bice Recruits list. First team All-Metro Catholic Conference, third team St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro, and second team All-State as a senior. DE | 6-4 | 250 | Jr.-RS | 1L Caught team-high 34 passes for 453 yards (13.3 avg.) and three McCook, IL | Lyons Township touchdowns at TE and added 77 tackles, five sacks, and four pass deflections on defense for Class 5 playoff qualifier during his senior 2007: Started 11 games at defensive end and made 38 total tackles. year. Second team All-MCC after making 10 catches for 118 yards Tallied 14 solo stops on the year. Ranked third among defensive and two TDs for 8-2 conference and district champions as a junior. linemen in tackles. Named MAC West Defensive Player of the Week Averaged 18.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game and earned St. after recording career-highs of eight tackles, two tackles for loss Louis Post-Dispatch honorable mention All-Metro honors on state’s and one-and-a-half sacks vs. Kent State (11-10). Recognized on the seventh-ranked basketball team as a senior. Topped the 1,000-point Academic All-MAC Team. Led Huskie defensive linemen with four pass plateau during his prep basketball career. Dean’s List and National break-ups. Totaled six tackles vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15). Recorded Honor Society student. Earned four letters in football and three in seven stops vs. Western Michigan (10-13). Had two pass break-ups basketball. vs. both Southern Illinois (9-8) and Temple (10-6). Personal: Born Oct. 28, 1985 in St. Louis. General studies major. 2006: Appeared in three games. Totaled four tackles, including two Father, Bobby Beal, played football at Kentucky State and mother, for loss, and one sack. Made collegiate debut at Ohio State (9-2). Besta, played basketball at Kentucky State. Michael Jordan fan. Recorded tackle for loss against Ohio (9-9). Registered first collegiate Hobbies include weightlifting and drawing. sack in two-tackle outing against Buffalo (9-16). BEAL’s career Statistics 2005: Redshirted. High School: Team captain, first team RECEIVING All-Silver Division, first team Suburban Life All-Area, special mention Year g/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm Chicago Sun-Times All-Area, and first team Illinois High School Football 2007 10/2 4 27 6.8 0 14 2.7 Coaches Association Class 8A All-State at OLB as a senior. Totaled 72 tackles, a school-record 14 sacks, and three fumble recoveries on 8-3 playoff qualifier during his senior season. Entered senior campaign Career Highs on Chicago Tribune Top 100 Area Player list. Racked up 171 career Catches: 1, four times, last vs. Ball State, 11-24-07 tackles. First team West Suburban Conference All-Silver Division and Yards: 14, vs. Southern Illinois, 9-8-07 first team Suburban Life All-Area on playoff team as junior. Earned Long Reception: 14, vs. Southern Illinois, 9-8-07 first letter on 7-3 playoff qualifier as a sophomore. Three-time football niuhuskies.com 57 2008 huskies player profiles letterwinner. Eight-semester Honor Roll student. Recruited by Boston 2006: Academic All-MAC selection. Played in all 13 games with 11 College, Miami University, and Toledo. starts, seven at right tackle and four at right guard. Also saw time Personal: Born Dec. 26, 1986 in LaGrange, Ill. Biology major. Huskie as extra blocker from tight end position. Earned 84 percent blocking Scholar earned a 3.0 GPA in the 2008 spring semester. Son of Barry grade for season and was second on team with 52 knockdown and Patricia Bice. Fan of Julius Peppers and Michael Vick. Enjoys blocks while adding three flatbacks. Had at least six knockdowns playing video games in his spare time. in five games. Racked up season-high 10 knockdowns vs. Indiana State (9-23). Earned season-best 91 percent grade and totaled eight knockdowns against Temple (10-21). 2005: Third team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News. Started all 12 games at right tackle. Graded 85 percent on blocking assignments for the season. Totaled 38 knockdowns blocks and six flatbacks during first collegiate campaign. 2004: Redshirted. High School: Consensus all-state selection and three-year starter on offensive line. First team Associated Press All-State, team captain, first team All-Northwest Suburban Conference, league Most Valuable Lineman, first team KARE-TV All-Metro, first team Minneapolis Star- Tribune All-Metro, and first team Minnesotaprep.com All-State during senior season. Earned team’s top season blocking grade (90 percent) and saw time on defensive line in short yardage situations on Class 5A playoff qualifier as senior. First team all-conference honoree during junior campaign. Earned three letters in football and played junior varsity basketball for two seasons. Honor Roll student carried 3.99 cumulative GPA and scored a 27 on ACT. Personal: Born Nov. 11, 1985 in Robbinsdale, Minn. Electrical engineering major. Victory Scholar earned a 3.54 GPA in the 2008 spring semester. Parents are Paul and Sue Brost. Admires Joe “Huskies do everything together, and we’d do anything for Montana and Johnny Unitas. Enjoys fishing and hunting. each other.” - Brandon Bice BICE’s career Statistics

Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU 2006 3/0 4 0 4 2-6 1-1 0/0 0/0 2007 11/11 14 24 38 2.5-15 1.5-12 0/0 0/4 Career 14/11 18 24 42 4.5-21 2.5-13 0/0 0/4

Career Highs Tackles: 8, vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 TFLs: 2, vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 Sacks: 1.5, vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 “Being a Huskie means hard work and dedication, every 60 single day, every single time.” - Jon Brost jon 52 Brost phil OT | 6-6 | 300 | Sr.-RS | 3L Brown Maple Grove, MN | Maple Grove LB | 6-0 | 220 | Jr.-RS | 2L 2007: Earned ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District V honors and Chicago, IL | Morgan Park was an Academic All-MAC selection for the second straight season. 2007: Played 11 games and started at weakside linebacker against Named third team All-MAC as voted by the league’s coaches. Started Central Michigan (9-29) and Kent State (11-10). Ranked fifth among all 12 games at right tackle and leads the team with 35 career starts. linebackers and 12th on the team with 38 tackles, 23 solo. Recorded Played every offensive snap and coaches named him the team’s top a tackle for loss in the Central Michigan game. Made eight tackles, lineman as a junior. Did not allow a sack until the seventh game of six solo, in that contest. Registered a season-best nine tackles with the season. Helped lead the way for Justin Anderson’s 1,000-yard six for loss at Toledo (10-27). Had five stops at Wisconsin (10-20). season and protected the passer on 378 attempts. Graded out at 82 Credited with four solo tackles at Idaho (9-22). percent at Idaho (9-22). Earned a season-best 87 percent grade and had no missed assignments at Central Michigan (9-29). Recorded 2006: Injured in the spring game and redshirted the season. a “perfect game” with no missed assignments, a season-best five 2005: Played in 10 games and made three starts. One of four true knockdown blocks, and a team-high 83 percent grade vs. Kent State freshmen to letter. Totaled 51 tackles, second among freshmen. Made (11-10). Earned an 83 percent grade at Navy (11-17). collegiate debut with four tackles and a fumble recovery at Michigan (9-3). Totaled eight tackles, one for loss, vs. Akron (9-24). Made first

58 niuhuskies.com 2008 huskies player profiles career start vs. Miami (10-5). Registered four tackles, one for loss, at both running back and linebacker, second-team St. Louis Post- vs. Kent State (10-22). Racked up six stops in the Ball State (10-29) Dispatch All-Metro at linebacker, third team Missouri Football game. Recorded six tackles at Central Michigan (11-5). Amassed nine Coaches Association Class 4 All-State at running back, and Missouri tackles and forced a fumble vs. Toledo (11-16). Intercepted a pass and Sportswriters Association first team Class 4 All-State at linebacker as made a career-high 10 tackles vs. Akron in the MAC Championship a senior. Led team with 1,012 rushing yards, 19 touchdowns and 127 Game (12-1). tackles while recording two interceptions for 32 yards and punting High School: Listed as three-star recruit, No. 28 among state’s three times for 81 yards on a 9-1 squad during his senior season. postseason prospects and No. 46 in nation at outside linebacker by Totaled 1,755 rushing yards and 275 tackles as an upperclassman. Rivals.com. Selected team captain and first team Chicago Public First team All-Suburban East Conference at linebacker with 148 League All-Section on 12-1 conference champion and Class 7A tackles and seven sacks on 13-1 state runner-up as a junior. Lettered state playoff semifinalist as a senior. Named to City-Suburban All- three times in football and four times in track. Member of state track Star Game following his senior campaign. Entered senior season on championship team as a sophomore and state runner-up squad as Chicago Sun-Times Top Area 100 Players list and All-Public League a junior. Defense. Won team Most Improved Award and first team All-Section Personal: Born August 7, 1987 in St. Louis. Communication studies honors on league titlist and state quarterfinalist as a junior. Earned major. Uncle, Henry Jones, was an All-Big Ten safety at Illinois before three letters in football after transferring from St. Rita. Recruited by a 12-year NFL career with the , and Kansas State, Iowa, Akron, and Ball State. Atlanta Falcons that included an All-Pro selection in 1992 and Super Personal: Born Feb. 20, 1987. Son of Dwight and Shellie Brown. Bowl appearances in each of his first three seasons. Fan of Jim Communication studies major. Ray Lewis fan. Hobbies include playing Brown. basketball. Bryant’s career Statistics Brown’S career Statistics Defense Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU 2005 10/3 31 20 51 2-8 0-0 0/1 1/1 2006 13/1 4 3 7 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/1 2006 Redshirt 2007 7/0 1 1 2 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/0 2007 11/2 23 15 38 1-1 0-0 0/0 0/0 Career 20/1 5 4 9 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/1 Career 21/5 54 35 89 3-9 0-0 0/1 1/1 Rushing Career Highs Year g/GS no. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm Tackles: 10, vs. Akron (MAC Championship), 12-1-05 2007 7/0 62 273 4.0 2 38 35.0 TFLs: 1, three times, last at Central Michigan, 9-29-07 Interceptions: 1, vs. Akron (MAC Championship), 12-1-05 Career Highs Rushing Attempts: 28, vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 Rushing Yards: 110, vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 4 Rushing TDs: 1 twice, last vs. Ball State, 11-24-07 Long Run: 38, at Toledo, 10-27-07 david Tackles: 3, vs. Indiana State, 9-23-06 Bryant RB | 5-10 | 205 | Jr.-RS | 2L St. Louis, MO | Ladue Horton Watkins 2007: Moved to running back in the spring after spending 2006 on the defensive side of the ball. Played seven games as primary back- up to 1,000-yard rusher Justin Anderson. Ranked second on the team with 245 yards, 62 carries, and two rushing touchdowns. Made five receptions for 34 yards, all against Ball State (11-24). Had career- highs of 28 carries and 110 yards in the win over Kent State (11-10). Totaled 54 yards on six carries for a 9.0 yards-per-carry average at Toledo (10-27). Scored one touchdown on a four-yard run and had a career-long 38-yard burst in that game. Rushed for 37 yards and scored on a two-yard touchdown run vs. Ball State (11-24). Ran for 39 yards on seven attempts at Central Michigan (9-29). 2006: Played all 13 games and made one start while playing linebacker and on special teams. Totaled 10 tackles and one pass break up on the season. Made collegiate debut and recorded two stops at Ohio State (9-2). Credited with two tackles against Buffalo (9-16). Made first collegiate start and collected three tackles and one pass break up vs. Indiana State (9-23). Made two stops vs. Central Michigan (11-17). Recorded one tackle vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). 2005: Redshirted. High School: Team captain, team Offensive and Defensive Player of “My teammates are my family, the people I go to war with the Year Award recipient, first team All-Suburban East Conference every day.” - David Bryant niuhuskies.com 59 2008 huskies player profiles 36 chase Carter DB | 6-0 | 175 | Sr. | 1L Wichita, KS | Wichita Heights | Coffeyville C.C. 2007: Set an NIU single-season record with 120 interception return yards. That total already ranks 10th on the school’s career list. Tied for the team lead with two interceptions and ranked second with five pass “NIU Football is a tradition from the past. Guys worked hard break ups. One of only three defensive players to start all 12 games in the past to get us where we are today.” - Montell Clanton a year ago. Totaled 42 tackles on the year, including one-half for loss. Made four tackles in his NIU debut vs. Iowa (9-1). Credited with a pass break up and totaled four stops, three solo, vs. Southern Illinois (9-8). 20 Made three tackles vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15). Recorded the second- longest interception return in school history with a 95-yard pick-off montell and touchdown return at Idaho (9-22). Added a pass break up in that game. Intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards, and totaled four tackles and a pass break up at Temple (10-6). Collected five tackles, Clanton three solo, vs. Western Michigan (10-13). Credited with five stops, four TB | 5-9 | 195 | Sr.-RS | 2L solo, and a pass break up at Toledo (10-27). Registered a season-best six tackles with a half tackle for loss vs. Kent State (11-10). Had three Rockford, IL | Guilford tackles and a pass break up at Navy (11-17). Recorded three tackles, Accumulated 344 rushing yards and two total touchdowns in 16 two solo, vs. Ball State (11-24). Enrolled at NIU in January 2007 and games played. participated in spring drills. 2007: Started the first two games of the season before suffering a season-ending knee injury vs. Southern Illinois (9-8). Carried 13 times “My teammates are my brothers, my family, and for 49 yards, including a 12-yard burst, in the season-opener vs. Iowa (9-1). Caught three passes for 12 yards in that game. Had a career- everybody I can depend on.” long 59-yard run for a touchdown rushed the ball 13 times for 91 yards and caught a 13-yard pass in that game. - Chase Carter 2006: Saw action in three games as a back-up to Garrett Wolfe before suffering a season-ending injury versus Buffalo (9-16). Totaled 12 Coffeyville Community College: Named to the honorable mention rushing attempts for 102 yards and one touchdown. Averaged 34.0 KJCCC All-Conference Team in 2006. Helped lead Coffeyville to a yards per game and 8.5 yards per carry. Caught two passes for four berth in the 2006 Zions Bank Top of the Mountain Bowl. Made 33 yards. Carried twice for nine yards and had two receptions for four tackles and grabbed two interceptions as a sophomore. yards at Ohio State (9-2). Rushed 10 times for 93 yards, including High School: Honorable mention All-City choice as a senior. Credited 58-yard touchdown run, against Buffalo before going down with with 75 tackles and picked off six passes to tie the Wichita East High injury. single season record for interceptions. Also played wide receiver 2005: Played in 11 games and rushed 21 times for 102 yards. and caught 12 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns his senior Averaged 4.9 yards per carry with a season-long rush of 38. Also season. Named Wichita East’s Most Improved Player. Helped lead his saw time on the kickoff team. Carried nine times for 50 yards (5.6 prep team to a GWAL City League championship and a sectional title average) against Tennessee Tech (9-17). Totaled seven attempts and his senior year. Team finished 10-1 overall and was a perfect 6-0 in 13 yards at Kent State (10-22). Second on team with 39 rushing yards the conference. on five carries, including 38-yard run, vs. Western Michigan (11-23). Personal: Born April 7, 1987 in Wichita, Kan. Son of Silvia and 2004: Redshirted. Cornelius Carter. Enjoys working out, playing video games and spending time with his family and friends. Huskie Scholar on the list High School: Two-time all-state selection and team MVP. Totaled of 3.0 spring semester GPA earners. Admires Lebron James, Champ school-record 2,805 rushing yards, ranking fourth on NIC-9 career list, Bailey, Deion Sanders and Michael Jordan. Studying communication and established school marks with 35 touchdowns and 236 points. studies with an organizational/corporate emphasis. Named team captain and MVP, first team All-NIC-9, special mention Champaign News-Gazette All-State, and first team Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 7A All-State his senior year. Carter’s career Statistics Finished second in conference rushing with 1,318 yards and 13 TDs as a senior. Set school season record and led conference with 1,488 Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU rushing yards while totaling 20 touchdowns and 6.9-yard average as a 2007 12/12 23 19 42 0.5-0 0-0 0/0 2/5 junior. Named team MVP, first-team All-NIC-9, and Honorable Mention IHSFCA All-State following his junior campaign. Two-time football Career Highs letterwinner. Three-year honor roll student. Tackles: 6, vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 Personal: Born May 10, 1985. Communication studies major. Son Pass Break Ups: 1, five times, last at Navy, 11-17-07 of Edward and Betty Clanton. Fan of Barry Sanders. Made verbal Interceptions: 1, twice, last at Temple, 10-6-07 commitment after sitting in Huskie Stadium stands during NIU’s overtime victory over Maryland in 2003. Huskie Scholar earned his undergraduate degree from NIU in May with a 3.14 cumulative GPA.

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Clanton’s career Statistics for 273 yards (12.4 avg.) and two TDs his sophomore year. Three-time letterwinner in football and basketball. Team captain on basketball Rushing team during his senior season. National Honor Society member, Big Year g/GS no. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm 12 Leadership Award, and Dean’s List student. 2005 11/0 21 102 4.9 0 38 9.3 Personal: Born Aug. 10, 1987. Finance major. Listed on 3.0 cumulative 2006 3/0 12 102 8.5 1 58 34.0 GPA list following 2008 spring semester. Son of Jeff and Debbie 2007 2/2 26 140 5.4 1 59 70.0 Clasey. Grandfather Robert Clasey was a football letterwinner at Purdue from 1955-56. Enjoys music and recreational water sports. Career 16/2 59 344 6.8 2 59 25.2 Career Highs 54 Attempts: 13, twice, last vs. Southern Illionis, 9-8-07 Yards: 93, vs. Buffalo, 9-16-06 jake TDs: 1, twice, last vs. Southern Illinois, 9-8-07 Long Gain: 59, vs. Southern Illinois, 9-8-07 Coffman DE | 6-5 | 245 | So.-RS | 1L 10 German Valley, IL | Forreston willie 2007: Played the first four games of the season before injuring his foot and undergoing surgery which forced him to sit out the remainder of the season. In addition to moving up to a second-team defensive Clark end spot, saw action on the punt coverage unit. Made nine tackles on WR | 6-1 | 190 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq the year. Totaled a career-high four stops vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15). On the field for 40 snaps and registered three tackles, two solo, at Roselle, IL | Lake Park Idaho (9-22). 2007: Redshirted. 2006: Redshirted. High School: Earned all-state honorable mention accolades and was High School: First team All-Upstate Illini South Conference and first a member of the PrepStar Magazine All-Region Team as a junior. team all-area during his senior season. Team captain as tight end, Caught 43 passes for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns that year. linebacker and defensive end for 11-3 squad that reached state’s elite Garnered All-Upstate Eight honors as a senior, despite suffering a eight during his senior year. Totaled 22 catches for 508 yards at tight foot injury that limited him to four games. Totaled 11 catches for end. Honorable mention all-conference selection on 9-3 team playoff 199 yards in his final season. Listed by the Daily Herald as one of qualifier as a junior. Three-sport athlete also competed in basketball the area’s top athletes. Multi-sport athlete awarded with eight varsity and . Led the Cardinal in sacks and fumble recoveries. letters, three in both football and track and two in basketball. Won Personal: Born Aug. 9, 1984. Sociology/criminology major and a all-conference and all-area honors in basketball in both his junior and history minor. Enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps out of high school senior seasons. Holds the assists and steals records at Lake Park. and advanced to the rank of corporal. Served two tours in the Middle Won the regional championship in the 400-meter dash. East. Played football at Camp Pendleton, San Diego, where he was Personal: Born July 4, 1989. Son of Kimberly and Willie Clark Sr. named the 2005 Mike Anderson Defensive Player of the Year. Huskie Majoring in communication studies. Admires Jerry Rice and Michael Scholar with 3.0 cumulative GPA in the 2008 spring semester. Jordan. Elected homecoming king in 2007. Parents are Timothy and Victoria Coffman. Aspires to pursue a career 84 in government. Admirer of Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher. tyler Clasey WR | 6-1 | 190 | So.-RS | 1L Champaign, IL | Centennial 2007: Appeared in the last five games of the season as a member of the punt coverage and kickoff return units. Made one tackle at Navy (11-17). 2006: Redshirted. “This is a chance to keep playing football. I’ve been out of the game for a while, and it’a a new chance.” - Jake Coffman High School: Senior honors include team captain and Defensive Player of the Year, first team All-Big 12 at defensive back and second Coffman’s career Statistics team All-Big 12 at wide receiver, first-teamChampaign News-Gazette All-Area at defensive back and special mention at wide receiver. Had Defense 36 receptions for 615 yards (17.1 avg.) and six TDs at receiver, totaled Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU 34 tackles, six interceptions and four blocked kicks at defensive back, and averaged 39.9 yards per punt on 33 boots for 6-4 state 2007 4/0 2 7 9 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/0 Class 6A playoff qualifier during his senior year. Second team All- Big 12 with 28 catches for 402 yards (14.3 avg.) and four TDs while Career Highs totaling 28 tackles for playoff qualifier as a junior. Caught 22 passes Tackles: 4, vs. Eastern Michigan, 9-15-07 niuhuskies.com 61 2008 huskies player profiles

the high jump. Won city high jump title with 6-foot-5 effort as a junior. Cum laude Honor Roll student. 80 Personal: Born March 17, 1987 in Evansville, Ind. Communication studies major with an emphasis on media studies. Son of Ronald landon Crider and Linda Turner. Admires Walter Payton and Reggie Bush. Cox Crider’s career Statistics WR | 6-3 | 215 | So. | 1L Year g/GS no. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm 2007 8/0 7 20 2.9 0 6 2.5 Calumet City, IL | T.F. North 2007: Appeared in 10 games as a true freshman, primarily on special Career Highs teams as a member of the kickoff coverage unit. Caught two passes Rushing Attempts: 5, at Idaho, 9-22-07 for 19 yards on the season. Totaled five tackles, two solo, as a rookie. Rushing Yards: 20, at Idaho, 9-22-07 Started at wide receiver at Wisconsin (10-20). Caught one pass for a Long Gain: 6, at Idaho, 9-22-07 season-long 12 yards in that game. Made one catch for seven yards at Central Michigan (9-29). High School: Named to the second team Illinois High School Football 47 Coaches Association All-State squad as a senior and earned honorable mention recognition on the Chicago Tribune’s All-State list. A first team jason all-area choice by the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times in 2006. Member of the Sun-Times’ Area Top 100 list. Recognized as a first team all-conference selection. Led the Meteors to the conference Cruikshank title and Class 6A playoffs as a senior. Picked up all-conference and DE | 6-3 | 220 | So.-RS | 1L all-area honors as a junior. Caught 43 passes for 723 yards and eight touchdowns in 2006. Grabbed 42 passes for 805 yards, a 19.1-yard Elk Grove, IL | Elk Grove average, with 10 TDs as a junior. In his final two seasons, caught 85 2007: Appeared in four games on special teams on the punt coverage passes for 1,528 yards and 18 touchdowns. Blocked six kicks and and kickoff return units. Made one tackle at Toledo (10-27). Also returned three of those for scores. A three-year starter at receiver for saw time against Wisconsin (10-20), Kent State (11-10) and Navy T.F. North. Also lettered in basketball and track and field. (11-17). Personal: Born June 19, 1989. Son of Linda and Jason Cox. Enjoys 2006: Redshirted. history and admires Marvin Harrison. Accountancy Major. High School: Earned first team All-Mid-Suburban League, first team Cox’s career Statistics All-Suburban and honorable mention All-Region notice as a senior. Captained his prep team while playing linebacker and fullback during Year g/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm his senior season. Selected to National All-Star Bowl following his 2007 10/1 2 19 9.5 0 12 1.9 prep career. First team all-conference selection, honorable mention All-Suburban and team co-captain on 11-1 state quarterfinalist squad as a junior. Honor Roll member throughout high school. 22 Personal: Born May 7, 1988. Physical education major and health education minor. Made 3.0 cumulative GPA list following 2008 spring ricky semester. Son of Ken and Judy Cruikshank. Aspires to be a high Crider school coach and teacher. Admires Brett Favre. TB | 5-9 | 190 | So.-RS | 1L 83 Evansville, IN | Reitz reed 2007: Played eight games, mostly on the kickoff coverage team, before a broken leg sidelined him for the season. Injured on the Cunningham opening kickoff at Wisconsin (10-20). Credited with five tackles on the year. Rushed five times for 20 yards at Idaho (9-22). Had one carry TE | 6-5 | 245 | Jr.-RS | 1L in both the Temple (10-13) and Western Michigan (10-20) games. Cambria, WI | Pardeeville 2006: Redshirted. 2007: Limited by various ankle and knee injuries throughout the High School: Named team captain and MVP, Kiwanis Award recipient, season. Started four games and played in six. Caught 18 passes for first team All-Southern Indiana Athletic Conference, first team All-City 166 yards. His 9.2 yards-per-catch average ranked fifth on the team. and Downtown Quarterback Club’s Outstanding Player, first team Started the Iowa, SIU, CMU and Temple games and returned to play Evansville Courier & Press All-Metro Team Player of the Year, first at Toledo and vs. Kent State. Caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from team Indiana Football Coaches Association Region 9, and first team Dan Nicholson to put NIU ahead 21-7 in the 27-20 win over Kent State Associated Press Class 5A All-State as a senior. State Class 5A Player (11-10). Totaled career-highs of seven receptions and 65 yards in that of the Year by High School Sports Publications after rushing for a game. Made five receptions for 34 yards in the season-opener vs. school-record 2,478 yards and 33 touchdowns on 11-2 league, city, Iowa (9-1). Caught four passes for 51 yards at Toledo (10-27). and sectional champions. Set school career marks with 6,356 rushing 2006: Played in seven contests on special teams. Totaled four yards and 83 TDs. Produced three of top five rushing campaigns tackles on the season. Made collegiate debut vs. Indiana State (9- in school history and three of top four RHS single-season rushing 23). Collected three kickoff coverage tackles against Temple (10- touchdown totals. Starter all four years for four-time city champions. 21). Credited with one stop in the regular season finale at Eastern Lettered four times in football and track. Three-year state qualifier in

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Michigan (11-24). Saw action vs. TCU in Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). three touchdowns. Amassed 1,069 all-pupose yards, second-best on 2005: Redshirted. the team, and recorded each of the team’s three 100-yard receiving High School: Team captain and MVP as a tight end and defensive games. Caught five passes for 23 yards at Ohio State (9-2). Totaled lineman. Earned first team All-Trailways North Conference, first-team five catches for 53 yards vs. Ohio (9-9). Eclipsed 100-yard plateau for Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Region, first team All- the first time with 115 yards on five receptions, and totaled 178 all- Area, and first team WFCA All-State recognition at both positions as purpose yards while adding three kickoff returns for 63 yards at Ball a senior. Totaled 80 tackles, school-record eight sacks, two blocked State (9-30). Made four catches for 30 yards, added one rush for 13 kicks, and one pass deflection as defensive lineman and caught 30 yards and returned three kickoffs for 75 yards, including a 39-yarder, passes for 517 yards (17.3 avg.) with six touchdowns as tight end for at Miami (10-8). Had 31-yard touchdown reception as part of seven- 7-3 playoff squad during his senior season. Set career records for catch, 89-yard performance at Western Michigan (10-14). Hauled in receptions (84), receiving yards (1,489), and sacks (16). Selected a 21-yard touchdown pass and posted a team-leading six receptions team captain, first team All-Trailways North Conference, first team all- for 92 yards vs. Temple (10-21). Caught a touchdown in third-straight region, first team All-Area, and honorable mention all-state as a junior. game with 25-yard snag at Iowa and totaled three catches for 38 Set school season records with 33 receptions and 594 yards with five yards (10-28). Racked up career-best 199 all-purpose yards and 163 TDs as a tight end and totaled 87 tackles, seven sacks, seven pass receiving yards on nine catches and two kickoff returns vs. Toledo deflections, and one blocked kick on defensive line during junior year. (11-7). Totaled 100 yards on nine receptions at Eastern Michigan Second team all-conference with 21 catches for 378 yards and five (11-24). Started at receiver and returned three kickoffs for 54 yards TDs as a tight end and totaled 83 tackles and one sack as defensive vs. TCU in Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). lineman as sophomore. Three-time football letterwinner and earned 2005: Caught at least one pass in all 12 games, totaling a NIU one letter in basketball. Honor Roll student. freshman record 42 receptions for 441 yards and three touchdowns. Personal: Born Nov. 5, 1986. Geography major. Son of Jeff and Linda Carried eight times for 49 yards and one TD and completed two-of- Cunningham of Cambria, Wis. Admires Hall of Fame tight end Kellen three passes for 17 yards on the year. Made first collegiate start and Winslow. Hobbies include hunting and fishing. had two receptions for 18 yards at Michigan (9-3). Caught two passes for 25 yards, carried four times for 33 yards and completed two-of- Cunningham’s career Statistics three passes for 17 yards as quarterback vs. Tennessee Tech (9-17). Caught six passes for 61 yards, including 24-yard touchdown grab Year g/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm with 13 seconds remaining to send game into overtime vs. Akron 2006 7/0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (9-24). Made four catches for 71 yards vs. Kent State (10-22). Hauled 2007 7/4 18 166 9.2 1 17 23.7 in eight passes for 54 yards and a TD vs. Ball State (10-29). Caught Career 14/4 18 166 9.2 1 17 11.9 two passes for 41 yards, including 38-yarder, in MAC Championship Game vs. Akron (12-1). Career Highs 2004: Redshirted. Catches: 7, vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 High School: Ranked as No. 3 recruit in MAC by Athlon Sports. Receiving Yards: 65, vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 Produced 7,700 career yards total offense and 90 TDs in 22 starts TDs: 1, vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 as quarterback on two state Class 5A playoff teams. Completed Long Gain: 17, at Toledo, 10-27-07 461-of-766 passes (60.2%) for 6,266 yards, 39 TDs and 21 interceptions, added 17 rushing TDs and 1,434 rushing yards on 163 attempts. Posted nine career 300-yard passing games. Made PrepStar Midwest All-Region and ranked by Rivals.com as No. 18 7 recruit in state and No. 23 dual-threat QB in nation. Rated among Top 100 players in Midwest and No. 9 QB in region by The Sporting News britt and listed among “Other Seniors to Watch” in Street & Smith’s College Football prior to senior season. Two-time all-state selection during Davis final two years. Named first team Suburban Prairie Conference All- East Division and Division MVP, first team Suburban Life Newspapers WR | 6-3 | 205 | Sr.-RS | 3L All-Area and Area Player of the Year, special mention Chicago Sun- Broadview, IL | Riverside-Brookfield Times All-Area and postseason Top 100 Area Player, special mention Champaign News-Gazette All-State, special mention Chicago Tribune Member of Coach Kill’s Leadership Council. Among the team leaders All-State, and first team all-state by Illinois High School Football in career starts (31). His 132 career catches rank ninth on the NIU Coaches’ Association as a senior. Hit 199-of-341 passes for 3,237 all-time charts. yards, 31 TDs and 10 interceptions while rushing for 615 yards and 2007: Started nine games at wide receiver as injuries limited him eight TDs on 88 attempts during final season. Twice threw for 500-plus during his junior season. Missed a three-game stretch vs. Temple yards in a game during senior campaign. Picked first team SPC All- (10-6), Western Michigan (10-13), and Wisconsin (10-20). Still ranked Blue Division, first team Suburban Life Newspapers All-Area, special second on the team with 391 receiving yards and third on the squad mention Champaign News-Gazette All-State, and special mention with 33 catches. His 11.8 yards per catch average was second on All-State as a junior. Completed 262-of-425 passes for 3,029 yards, the squad, as were his 43.4 receiving yards per game. Made a career 39 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and rushed for 819 yards and long 45-yard reception vs. Ball State (11-24), one of four catches nine TDs during his junior year. Starting defensive back and notched on the day. Caught six passes for 75 yards vs. Iowa (9-1) including 80 tackles, eight deflections, and four interceptions as a sophomore. a 21-yard grab. Made five receptions vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15). Earned three letters in football, two in basketball and one in track. Scored a touchdown on a two-yard catch in ’ 42-35 Qualified for Class AA state track meet in 200 meters in 2003. Honor win at Idaho (9-22). Tied his season-high with six receptions at Central Roll student. Michigan (9-29) for 60 yards. Tallied a season-best 81 receiving yards Personal: Born April 23, 1986. Communication studies major. Parents at Toledo (10-27) on four catches, including a 28-yard touchdown. are Kevin and Elanda Davis. Victory Scholar earned a 3.64 GPA in Served as one of four permanent team captains as a junior. the 2008 spring semester. Younger brother of former NIU TE Brandon 2006: Earned honorable mention All-MAC accolades after leading Davis, who received his bachelor’s degree in May and enrolled in team with sophomore school record 57 receptions for 731 yards and graduate school. Fan of Peyton Manning. niuhuskies.com 63 2008 huskies player profiles

Davis’ career Statistics (9-23). Recorded season-high average of 44.2 yards on five attempts at Western Michigan (10-14). Punted eight times vs. Toledo (11-7). Booted career-long 58-yarder while averaging 40.6 yards on nine RECEIVING punts with one placed inside the 20 vs. TCU. Year g/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm 2005 12/9 42 441 10.5 3 38 36.8 2005: Played in all 12 games, averaging 38.6 yards on 54 punts. Booted four over 50 yards, including a long of 56, and dropped 16 2006 13/13 57 731 12.8 3 41 56.2 inside the 20-yard line. Credited with four tackles, three solo. Averaged 2007 9/9 33 391 11.8 2 45 43.4 42.3 yards on three punts at Northwestern (9-10).Totaled eight Career 34/31 132 1,563 11.8 8 45 46.0 attempts for 339 yards (42.4 avg.) at Akron (9-24). Hit 56-yard punt in eight attempts at Kent State (10-22). Placed all three punts inside Kickoff Returns the 20 vs. Western Michigan (11-23). Averaged 46.6 yards on five Year g/GS no. Yds. Avg. TD Lg attempts, including 50-yarder, against Akron in MAC Championship 2005 12/9 0 0 0.0 0 0 Game (12-1). 2006 13/13 18 321 17.8 0 39 High School: Consensus all-state kicker. Named team captain, 2007 9/9 0 0 0 0 0 team Offensive MVP, and team Special Teams MVP, unanimous Career 34/31 18 321 17.8 0 39 first team All-Cornbelt Conference at punter, first team All-Cornbelt Conference at PK and WR, plus second team All-CC at DB and first Career Highs team Bloomington-Normal Daily Pantagraph All-Area at punter as a Catches: 9, twice, last at. Eastern Michigan, 11-24-06 senior. Earned special mention Champaign News-Gazette All-State, Yards: 163, vs. Toledo, 11-7-06 special mention Chicago Tribune All-State, and first team Illinois High Touchdowns: 1, eight times, last at Toledo, 10-27-07 School Football Coaches Association Class 4A All-State during final prep campaign. Averaged 41.0 yards on 44 punts and caught 36 Long Gain: 45, vs. Ball State, 11-24-07 passes for 877 yards (24.4 avg.) and nine TDs as WR, and collected Kickoff Returns: 3, three times, last vs. TCU (Poinsettia Bowl), 12-19-06 56 tackles, five interceptions, and three fumble recoveries at FS while Long Kickoff Return: 39, vs. Miami (Ohio), 10-8-06 adding 4-of-6 field goals and 26-of-28 PAT kicks during his senior All-Purpose Yards: 199, vs. Toledo, 11-7-06 year. Second team All-Cornbelt Conference selection as kicker and as punter during junior season. Tabbed honorable mention All-CC at PK as a sophomore. Also recruited by Illinois, Northwestern, and Iowa. 18 Personal: Born March 16, 1987. Marketing major. Son of Melvin and Linda Dittbenner. Hobbies include cars, movies, and video games. andy Huskie Scholar with a 3.0 GPA in the 2008 spring semester. DitTbenner ditTbenner’s career Statistics P | 6-2 | 205 | Sr. | 3L Year g no. Yds. Avg. Lg in20 Bloomington, IL | Normal University 2005 12 54 2,083 38.6 56 16 2006 10 55 2,085 37.9 58 14 Enters the season in fourth place for career average (40.1), seventh 2007 12 59 2,564 43.5 62 16 for career attempts (168) and seventh for career yards (6,732). Career 34 168 6,732 40.1 62 46 2007: Set the NIU record for season punting average with 43.5 yards per attempt and totaled the ninth-highest single-season yardage total Career Highs with 2,564. His punting average ranked fifth in the MAC and 16th Punts: 9, vs. TCU (Poinsettia Bowl), 12-19-06 nationally. Earned recognition as co-winner of NIU’s Most Improved Average: 53.0 (2 punts), vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 Player award at the conclusion of the season. Dropped 16 punts Long: 62, vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and 12 of his kicks were fair caught. Booted 16 punts for 50 yards or more on the year. Averaged Inside 20: 4, at Toledo, 10-27-07 48.5 yards on two attempts against Southern Illinois (9-8). Punted eight times with four kicks over 50 yards, including a 60-yarder, and two inside the 20 while averaging 47.8 yards per attempt at Idaho 51 (9-22). Idaho average ranks fifth on the Huskies’ single game list. Averaged 44.0 yards per kick and dropped three inside the 20 on larry seven attempts at Temple (10-6). Punted eight times for 357 yards for a 44.6 average and booted four kicks over 50 yards at Wisconsin (10-20). Placed four of seven punts inside the 20 and had three fair English catches while averaging 45.0 yards on seven kicks at Toledo (10-27). DE | 6-3 | 255 | Sr.-RS | 3L Booted a career-best 62-yard punt vs. Kent State (11-10). Dropped two punts inside the 20 and had his other two attempts fair caught at Aurora, IL | Navy (11-17). Punted six times with three fair catches and completed a Named to the Bronko Nagurski Watch List for the second straight 10-yard pass on a fake punt vs. Ball State (11-24). Missed most of the season. Started 34 games in his career, recording 200 tackles, 99 Iowa game after suffering a concussion on a tackle attempt. Credited solo. Finished the season ranked second on the NIU career sacks list with three solo stops on the year, including two at Wisconsin. with 23.5 and in a fifth-place tie on the all-time TFL list with 40. Needs 2006: Played in 10 of 13 games (team did not punt in three contests) 7.5 sacks to break the school record. and averaged 37.9 yards on 55 attempts with a long of 58 yards. 2007: Totaled 67 tackles, best among NIU defensive linemen. Was Dropped 14 punts inside the 20-yard line. Punted six times for on the field for 98 percent (894 of 916) of the team’s defensive plays 37.8-yard average at Ohio State (9-2). Placed three of four punts during the year. Earned the MAC’s Vern Smith Leadership Award inside the 20 while averaging 40.5 yards per attempt vs. Buffalo (league MVP), becoming the second consecutive Huskie to do so, and (9-16). Dropped two of three punts inside the 20 vs. Indiana State was a consensus first team All-MAC choice. First defensive player to

64 niuhuskies.com 2008 huskies player profiles win the Smith Award since the first year of the award in 1982. Named All-SCC, first teamAurora Beacon-News All-Area, and first teamDaily to the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List, the Bronko Nagurski Herald Tri-City All-Area as a junior. Led Tri-City area with 100 tackles, Trophy Watch List and the Ted Hendricks Award Midseason Watch and added two interceptions and two fumble recoveries during his list. Collected the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week award junior year. Earned three letters in football and basketball and one in and the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week award track. Basketball standout and team captain, All-SCC, and All-Area as (9-22) after an NCAA-best five sack performance at Idaho (9-22). A a junior. Threw discus in track as a freshman. Honor Roll student. consensus all-league pick and was named fourth team All-American Personal: Born Jan. 22, 1986. General studies major. Son of Larry by Phil Steele. Named the team’s defensive MVP. Registered a English Sr. and Susan Postlewaite. Uncle, Charles Richardson, lettered team-best 17 tackles for loss, the third-highest total in NIU history, as fullback at Wisconsin in 1972. Huskie Scholar earned a 3.0 GPA with 1.42 tackles for loss per game to rank 18th in the country. His in the spring semester. 10.5 sacks led the MAC and ranked tied for 11th nationally as he averaged 0.88 sacks per game. Had a TFL in 10 of 12 games played. English’s career Statistics Also broke up a pair of passes. Made two solo tackles vs. Iowa (9-1). Recorded two tackles for loss, including one sack, and had seven Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU tackles vs. Southern Illinois (9-8). Collected eight stops, with a half 2004 1/0 3 1 4 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/0 tackle for loss, against Eastern Michigan (9-15). Tied his own school- 2005 11/9 35 43 78 7-24 1-5 0/1 0/0 record with five sacks, forced a fumble that he recovered for his first 2006 13/13 32 19 51 16-92 12-77 4/1 0/0 career touchdown, and racked up a career-high 12 tackles to earn 2007 12/12 29 38 67 17-91 10.5-79 1/1 0/2 conference and national defensive player of the week accolades at Career 37/34 99 101 200 40-207 23.5-161 5/3 0/2 Idaho (9-22). Sacked the Idaho quarterback on the last play of the game to preserve the Huskie victory. Tallied one sack and two tackles Career Highs at Central Michigan (9-29). Totaled four stops, including one for loss, Tackles: 12, at Idaho, 9-22-07 at Temple (10-6). Had 1.5 sacks in a seven-tackle performance vs. TFLs: 5.5, vs. Temple, 10-21-06 Western Michigan (10-13). Made two solo stops, one for loss, at Sacks: 5, at Idaho, 9-22-07 Wisconsin (10-20). Registered 10 tackles with 2.5 TFLs and 0.5 sacks at Toledo (10-27). Collected nine stops, with one and a half tackles for loss and was in on a sack, vs. Kent State (11-10). Credited with three tackles and one sack vs. Ball State (11-27). 30 2006: First Team All-MAC selection. Started all 13 games and tied school record with 12 sacks. Ranked second in the MAC and tied connor for 10th nationally with 0.88 sacks per game. Tied for fifth in the MAC and 37th nationally with 1.15 tackles for loss per game, a total of 16 for the season. Had at least one sack in eight games and a Flahive tackle for loss in seven of the last eight contests. Totaled four tackles, FB | 6-0 | 240 | So.-RS | 1Sq three solo, at Ohio State (9-2). Had four stops, including one sack, vs. Buffalo (9-16). Racked up four tackles, one sack and forced a fumble Niles, IL | Notre Dame against Indiana State (9-23). Recorded two tackles for loss, including 2007: Redshirted. one sack, at Miami (10-8). Made three stops, one for loss, at Western High School: Senior year accolades include 7A Illinois Football Michigan (10-14). Established school record with 4.5 sacks and 5.5 Coaches Association First Team, Chicago Tribune Second Team, tackles for loss while adding forced fumble and fumble recovery in and Chicago Sun-Times Honorable Mention honors. Named East nine-tackle effort vs. Temple (10-21). Forced fumble and had one Suburban Catholic Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a sack in three-tackle performance at Iowa (10-28). Credited with a senior. Placed on the Chicago Sun-Times Top Five ESCC Players and sack, a tackle for loss and forced a fumble in seven-tackle outing Area Top 100 Players lists. Played in the All-State Illinois High School against Toledo (11-7). Registered five tackles, two for loss with one All State Game. Earned all-conference and all-area honors after both sack, at Eastern Michigan (11-24). Credited with two stops and one his junior and senior seasons. Holds the Niles Notre Dame record for sack before leaving game with knee injury vs. TCU in Poinsettia Bowl tackles for loss in a season. (12-19). Personal: Born Aug. 11, 1987 in Chicago. Son of Mary Faith and 2005: Started nine of 11 games played. Totaled 78 tackles, tops Thomas Flahive. Brother Daniel played soccer for Eastern Illinois among team’s defensive linemen. Amassed seven tackles for loss, and brother Devin played soccer at Western Illinois. Uncle Timothy one sack, one fumble recovery and added nine quarterback pressures Gleason played football at Eastern Ilinois. Majoring in kinesiology. and four hurries. Had six tackles and two pressures at Michigan (9-3). Huskie Scholar earned a 3.08 spring semester GPA. Racked up 11 tackles, second highest on the team, with one for loss, at Northwestern (9-10). Recorded seven tackles, including two for loss, a sack, two pressures and a fumble recovery vs. Tennessee Tech 32 (9-17). Led team with 11 stops, including one for loss, against Akron (9-24). Tallied eight tackles, including one for loss, and had a hurry vs. jeff Miami (10-5). Totaled seven tackles against Ball State (10-29). Made nine stops, two for loss, at Central Michigan (11-5). Tied for team-lead with 10 hits, including one for loss, vs. Western Michigan (11-23). Fontana 2004: Made collegiate debut with four tackles against Maryland (9-4). FS | 6-0 | 205 | Jr.-RS | 2L Missed final 11 games with injury and was granted medical redshirt. High School: Named team co-captain and MVP, first team All-SCC, Libertyville, IL | Libertyville preseason Chicago Tribune league Player to Watch, first teamAurora 2007: Played in 11 games, continuing his role on special teams Beacon-News All-Area, first team Daily Herald Tri-City All-Area, and and as a backup safety. Made a special teams tackle in the season- honorable mention IHSFCA All-State as a senior. Totaled 98 tackles opener vs. Iowa (9-1). Credited with two tackles vs. Southern Illinois and six sacks from inside linebacker position and rushed for 312 yards (9-8). Had two special teams stops in the Eastern Michigan game on 38 carries (8.2 avg.) as a fullback. Named team MVP, first team (9-15). Credited with one tackle in five consecutive games: at Temple niuhuskies.com 65 2008 huskies player profiles

(10-6), vs. Western Michigan (10-13), at Wisconsin (10-20), at Toledo Also a three-time letterwinner in track and a two-time basketball (10-27), and in NIU’s win over Kent State (11-10). letterwinner. Qualified for the state track meet both his sophomore 2006: Played in all 13 contests, including bowl game, as special and junior years. As a sophomore, advanced to the state finals in the teams performer and reserve safety. Totaled 11 tackles, including 100 meters. His junior season, advanced to the state finals in the one for loss. Made collegiate debut at Ohio State (9-2). Registered 200 meters. Career best in the 100 meters is a 10.4. three tackles vs. Indiana State (9-23). Credited with a tackle at Ball Personal: Born Aug. 24, 1989. Son of Florencia Chillbenry and Phillips State (9-30). Had special teams stop at Western Michigan (10-14). George. Parents were both scholarship track and field athletes at Recorded a tackle against Temple (10-21) and another at Iowa Wichita State. Plays the saxophone and admires Kobe Bryant. (10-28). Totaled three tackles, including one for loss, against Central Michigan (11-17). George’s career Statistics 2005: Redshirted. DEFENSE High School: First team North Suburban Conference All-Lake Division, Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU first-team Pioneer Press All-Area and Area Player of the Year, first- 2007 12/0 5 2 7 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/0 team Waukegan News-Sun Lake County All-Area, first-team Daily Herald Lake County All-Area, first-team Chicago Sun-Times All-Area Returning and Large Schools All-State, first team Champaign News-Gazette All- Year g/GS no. Yds. Avg. TD Lg State, first teamChicago Tribune All-State, and first team IHSFCA Class 2007 12/0 13 242 18.6 0 28 7A All-State as a senior. Rushed for 1,163 yards and 14 touchdowns on 153 carries (7.6 avg.) as fullback and recorded 96 tackles, five pass deflections, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and one Career Highs fumble recovery at free safety for 14-0 state champions during his Tackles: 2, twice, last vs. Western Michigan 10-13-07 senior season. Rushed for 69 yards and one TD and made seven Kickoff Returns: 4, at Toledo, 10-27-07 tackles in the 2004 state title game. Set school record for longest Kickoff Return Yards: 73, at Toledo, 10-27-07 touchdown run with 94-yard scamper as a senior. Entered senior campaign as preseason Chicago Sun-Times Top 100 Area Player, plus Chicago Tribune league Player to Watch and Top 100 player. Lettered 3 on 13-1 conference titlist and state runner-up as a junior. Had seven tackles, two for loss, and one sack in the 2003 state championship demarcus game. Two-time football letterwinner and earned four letters in track. First team all-conference in 100-meter dash as a senior. Recruited by Northwestern and Kansas. Grady Personal: Born March 26, 1987. Marketing major. Son of Raymond QB | 6-1 | 200 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq and Sandra Fontana. Hobbies include fishing and lifting weights. Grand Rapids, MI | East Fontana’s career Statistics 2007: Redshirted. Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU High School: An honorable mention choice to the Grand Rapids Press 2006 13/0 3 8 11 1-1 0-0 0/0 0/0 All-Area Dream Team. Completed 40-of-80 passes for 610 yards and 2007 11/0 4 7 11 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/0 seven touchdowns, and collected 357 rushing yards on 60 carries Career 24/0 7 15 22 1-1 0-0 0/0 0/0 with nine touchdowns on the ground in 2006. Led East Grand Rapids to a Division III Michigan state championship his senior year. Earned all-league and all-area honors as a junior. Also a four-year starter in basketball. Earned all-state honorable mention honors in basketball 33 and was a second team all-area and first team all-conference patrick selection. Basketball team advanced to the state finals in 2006. Personal: Born Aug. 1, 1988 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Son of Janell and Rodney Grady. Brother Kevin Grady Jr. plays running back at Michigan. George Majoring in marketing. Admires Allen Iverson and LeBron James. DB | 5-11 | 190 | So. | 1L Chicago, IL | Gordon Tech 43 2007: Played 12 games, and saw action at cornerback, as a kick returner, and on the punt coverage unit as a gunner. One of only 10 t.j. defensive players to appear in every game. Totaled 242 all-purpose yards to rank eighth on the team. Had four games with 40 or more Griffin all-purpose yards. Made his collegiate debut on special teams in the season-opener vs. Iowa (9-1). Returned four kickoffs for 73 yards, LB | 6-0 | 230 | Sr.-RS | 1L including a season-long 28-yard effort, at Toledo (10-27). Made two Carol Stream, IL | Wheaton North returns for 46 yards in the win over Kent State (11-10). Credited with 45 yards on two returns at Central Michigan (9-29). Tallied 40 kickoff 2007: Did not participate. Rejoined the team in January 2008. return yards on two attempts vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15). Made two 2006: Played in one game before missing the remainder of the season special teams tackles in consecutive weeks at Temple (10-6) and vs. due to injury. Saw time in the season-opener at Ohio State (9-2). Western Michigan (10-13). 2005: Saw action in five games as reserve linebacker and on special High School: Named to first team all-conference squad his senior year. teams. Totaled 18 tackles, including 12 solo. Made three tackles in Made six career interceptions. Three-year letterwinner. Named team collegiate debut at Michigan (9-3). Amassed eight stops, six solo, at MVP and team captain in 2006 and won the team leadership award. Northwestern (9-10). Registered four stops against Tennessee Tech

66 niuhuskies.com 2008 huskies player profiles

(9-17). Listed in preseason as a MAC “Newcomer to Watch” by The pass vs. Indiana State (9-23). Made seven stops at Ball State (9-30). Sporting News. Intercepted a pass and had two tackles at Miami (10-8). Registered 2004: Redshirted. eight tackles at Western Michigan (10-14). Racked up nine stops, High School: Team captain who won his team’s Hardest Hitter, Best including a tackle for loss, at Iowa (10-28). Made six tackles against Back, and Most Desire awards as a senior. Earned second team All- Toledo (11-7). Recovered fumble in eight-tackle outing vs. Central DuPage Valley Conference, honorable mention Daily Herald DuPage Michigan (11-17). Totaled eight tackles vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl All-Area, and Special Mention Chicago Sun-Times All-Area recognition (12-19). as a senior. Rushed for 720 yards and four touchdowns on 122 carries 2005: Redshirted. (a 5.9 avg.) and caught seven passes for 68 yards as a running back. High School: Named team captain and MVP, first team All-Tri-Metro Added 40 tackles and five deflections at cornerback on Class 8A Conference, first team KARE-TV All-Metro, and honorable mention playoff qualifier during his senior season. Team’s Comeback Player of Minneapolis Star-Tribune All-State as a senior. Tabbed finalist (20 the Year in 2003. Named to postseason Area Top 100 Players list by candidates) for state’s Mr. Football during his final season. Completed Chicago Sun-Times after his senior year. Entered senior campaign on 32-of-79 passes for 578 yards and 14 TDs and totaled 801 yards Chicago Sun-Times preseason conference Top Five Player and Area and 10 TDs on 75 rushing attempts as QB. Added 54 tackles, five Top 100 Players lists, and on the preseason Chicago Tribune league sacks and two interceptions on 10-1 league champion and playoff Player to Watch and Area Top 100 Players lists. Missed junior season qualifier as a senior. Produced 2,540 yards total offense and 36 TDs because of ACL tears in both knees suffered during preseason. Ran in last two seasons after collecting 169 tackles, 14 sacks, and seven for 586 yards and five TDs on 86 attempts (6.8 avg.), caught 30 interceptions in four years on defense. Three-year all-league selection. passes for 201 yards and two TDs and posted 57 tackles on state Named team captain and first team All-TMC after completing 23-of-51 semifinalist team as a sophomore. Collected 12 team player of the passes for 552 yards and six TDs, and adding 609 ground yards and week accolades during prep career. Earned three letters in track and six TDs on 78 attempts during junior campaign. Caught six passes two in football. Won DuPage Valley Conference outdoor 110 high for 100 yards at wide receiver and posted 54 tackles at strong safety hurdles title in 2003. on league champion as a sophomore. Earned four letters in football, Personal: Given name is Terrence Jermaine. Born Oct. 5, 1985 in three in track and one in basketball. Bellwood, Ill. Communication studies major. Admires Walter Payton Personal: Born Feb. 1, 1987. Communication studies major. Son of and Jim Brown. Jennifer Hanson. Enjoys watching movies and listening to music. Griffin’s career Statistics Hanson’s career Statistics Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU 2005 12/0 12 6 18 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/0 2006 13/12 26 46 72 3-7 1-5 0/2 1/1 2006 1/0 0 0 0 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/0 2007 8/6 21 34 55 3-12 1-6 0/1 1/2 Career 13/0 12 6 18 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/0 Career 21/18 47 80 127 6-19 2-11 0/3 2/3

Career Highs 26 Tackles: 9, at Iowa, 10-28-06 TFLs: 1, three times, last at Iowa, 10-28-06 cory Interceptions: 1, vs. Miami (Ohio), 10-8-06 Hanson LB | 6-2 | 225 | Jr.-RS | 2L 12 Minneapolis, MN | De La Salle chandler Enters his junior campaign with 127 career tackles in 21 games, with six tackles for loss, three fumbles recovered and two interceptions. Harnish 2007: Started in six games and appeared in eight at weakside QB | 6-2 | 210 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq linebacker. Sat out four games, two at the beginning and two at the end of the year, with injury. Totaled 55 tackles, three for loss, with a Bluffton, IN | Norwell sack, one interception, two pass break-ups and one fumble recovered. 2007: Redshirted. Ranked ninth on the team in tackles and was fifth in assisted stops. High School: An all-state honoree as a senior after earning honorable Recorded four tackles, one-and-a-half for loss, one sack and one pass mention notice his junior year. One of the Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette’s break up vs. Iowa (9-1). Hit double figures in tackles three times. Led Gamenight Fantastic 50 as a junior and senior. Twice selected to the the team with a career-high 11 tackles and had one pass break-up first team all-conference and all-area squads. Earned the Northeast against Eastern Michigan (9-15). Credited with 10 tackles at Idaho Hoosier Conference Player of the Year Award in 2005. Named the (9-22). Made 10 stops, with a tackle for loss at Temple (10-6). Had Ft. Wayne News-Sentinel Athlete of the Year as a senior. Participated seven tackles against both Western Michigan (10-13) and Wisconsin in the Indiana North/South All-Star Game. Career prep totals include (10-20). Also picked-off a pass and returned it 18 yards in that game. 4,760 passing yards and 48 touchdown passes while completing Recovered a fumble versus Central Michigan (9-29) to go with six 300-of-565 passes to go with 2,343 rushing yards on 354 carries with stops. 35 touchdowns on the ground. Also played safety where he tallied 2006: Started 12 of 13 games played and ranked fifth on team with 129 career tackles, seven fumble recoveries, five interceptions, and 72 tackles. Recorded three tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one 13 pass deflections. Holds Norwell High records for career passing sack, one interception, one pass break up and one hurry. Made first touchdowns, passing yards, completions and attempts, as well as all- collegiate start and racked up eight tackles and one fumble recovery purpose yards (7,103). Led Norwell to a 14-1 record and the runner- vs. Ohio (9-9). Totaled seven tackles, including first collegiate sack, up spot in the Indiana state championship as a senior. Named team against Buffalo (9-16). Had six tackles, one for loss, and broke up a MVP as a junior and senior. Four-year letterwinner in football who also niuhuskies.com 67 2008 huskies player profiles started all four years in basketball. Earned first team all-conference defensive line and named the squad’s top defensive lineman. honors on the basketball court as a junior. Scored over 747 points and Personal: Born Nov. 28, 1988 in St. Louis. Son of Rhonda Riles and grabbed over 400 rebounds. Placed sixth in the discus at the Indiana Henry Owens. Studying business administration. state championships as a junior. Conference, sectional and regional discus champion. Personal: Born July 28, 1988 in Bluffton, Ind. Son of LeeAnn and Ron 90 Harnish. Business management major and Victory Scholar achieved a 3.81 spring 2008 GPA. Enjoys traveling and reading. ed 66 Jackson tony DE | 6-3 | 285 | So.-RS | 1L Belleville, IL | Cahokia Holmes 2007: Appeared in 11 games and started two at defensive tackle OT | 6-6 | 330 | Jr.-RS | 3Sq at Idaho (9-22) and at Wisconsin (10-22). Credited with seven total stops on the year, including two solo. Made his collegiate debut as Woodbury, MN | Senior a member of the field goal block unit in the season-opener against 2007: Appeared in eight games as a backup offensive lineman. Iowa (9-1). Made two tackles and was credited with a quarterback Played on the PAT/FG unit. Saw action against Idaho (9-22), Central hurry in the Idaho game. Recorded one tackle at Wisconsin. Totaled a Michigan (9-29), Temple (10-6), Western Michigan (10-13), Wisconsin career-high three tackles, one solo, vs. Western Michigan (10-13). (10-20), Toledo (10-27), Kent State (11-10) and Ball State (11-24). 2006: Redshirted. 2006: Saw action in three games as reserve offensive lineman. Made High School: Team captain, first team , first collegiate debut with 20 plays on offensive line against Indiana State team Belleville News-Democrat All-Area, and first teamSt. Louis Post- (9-23). On the field for seven plays vs. Temple (10-21). Played five Dispatch All-Metro as a senior. Recorded 117 overall tackles, 13 QB snaps in regular season finale at Eastern Michigan (11-24). sacks, and two fumble recoveries on defense and added six receptions 2005: Redshirted. for 73 yards and two touchdowns on offense for Class 5A playoff semifinalist during his senior season. Selected for Down Under Bowl High School: Honorable mention All-Suburban East Conference all-star game after his senior campaign. Earned first team All-South honoree named to Minnesota Vikings All-State High School Football Seven Conference honors at TE and DE after totaling 31 tackles and Team. Played for Section 3 champion and Class 5A semifinalist as 11 sacks for playoff team as a junior. Played nine different positions a senior. Played in Minnesota All-Star Football Classic following his during his prep career. Three-time football letterwinner also lettered senior season. Three-year football letterwinner and earned two letters in basketball and track. Averaged 10 points per game during his final in basketball and one in track. All-conference honoree in basketball basketball season. Shot putter on track team. Honor Roll student. after leading league in rebounds and blocked shots for team that reached state’s Elite Eight. Honor Roll student. Personal: Born Sept. 17, 1987 in Centreville, Ill. Sociology/criminology major. Son of Dorothy Johnson. Hobbies include reading and fishing. Personal: Born Nov. 20, 1986 in St. Paul, Minn. Sociology/criminology Admires Chad Johnson. major. Son of Gary and Karron Holmes. Fan of Shaquille O’Neal. Father, Gary Holmes, played basketball at Minnesota and was co-captain of the 1981-82 Big Ten Championship team before being drafted by the Detroit Pistons. 30 94 james john Jefferies CB | 5-9 | 180 | So.-RS | 2Sq Hopkins Chicago, IL | Mount Carmel DL | 6-4 | 240 | So. | 1Sq 2007: Did not appear in any games. St. Louis, MO | Oakville 2006: Redshirted. 2007: Played in three games as a reserve defensive tackle before High School: Team captain and Most Valuable wide receiver, first team suffering a leg injury that required surgery prior to the Wisconsin All-Catholic League Blue Division, and first teamTom Lemming’s Prep game. Made his collegiate debut at Idaho (9-22), where he saw action Football Report All-Area as a senior. Led team in receiving with 15 on 37 plays. Made one stop in the Temple game (10-6) and was on catches for 241 yards and three touchdowns on offense and totaled the field for one snap vs. Western Michigan (10-13). 35 tackles, five interceptions, and two pass deflections on defense High School: Earned first team all-state honors as a senior. Two-time for 13-1 league champion and Class 7A runner-up during his senior first team all-conference selection. Named to the St. Louis All-Metro season. Caught two passes for 13 yards and had two tackles in the team in 2006. Named to the Missouri Top 30 by Rivals.com, coming state title game. Set school record for kickoff returns with 698 yards in with a No. 18 ranking. Credited with 127 tackles, 15 sacks, two on 29 attempts for a 24.1 average. Entered senior campaign as first fumbles caused, four pass deflections, and one blocked kick in his team Northwest Indiana Times All-Area, one of the Chicago Sun-Times last two years at Oakville High. Caught 16 passes for 87 yards and a top five players in the Catholic League and Area Top 100 players, and TD as a tight end, including 11 grabs his senior year. Set the school Chicago Tribune league top five players and Area Top 100 players. single season record for tackles for loss with 15. Helped lead his Made 18 receptions for 270 yards and three TDs on 9-4 Class 6A team to a 9-1 record his senior season. Three-year letterwinner on the semifinalist as a junior. Caught 13 passes for 103 yards and two TDs

68 niuhuskies.com 2008 huskies player profiles and made two starts at quarterback during his sophomore season. champion in state oratorical contest. Recruited by Wisconsin and Three-time letterwinner in football and basketball. Named to a pair Minnesota. of basketball all-tournament teams during his career. National Honor Personal: Born Sept. 24, 1985. Communication studies major. Son of Society member and Honor Roll student. Joseph and Elaine Keller. Personal: Born Nov. 22, 1987. Communication studies major. Son of Robert and Rose Jefferies. 74 35 adam nick Kiel Kamenjarin OL | 6-5 | 290 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq LB | 5-11 | 200 | So.-RS | 2Sq Wentzville, MO | St. Dominic Chicago, IL | New Prairie 2007: Redshirted. High School: Named to the Missouri Top 30 by Rivals.com, coming 2007: Did not appear in any games. in with a No. 22 ranking. An honorable mention All-Metro choice 2006: Redshirted. as a senior. Earned first team all-conference honors in 2006 and was a second team all-league selection his junior year. Helped High School: Team captain as a senior. Selected to West All-Star game lead St. Dominic to back-to-back Archdiocese Athletic Association after final prep season. Helped team to 12-2 record and conference, championships. Also played tight end where he compiled 311 sectional and regional titles. Finished fourth in state as a junior. receiving yards and five touchdowns on 29 catches. Caught 12 passes Personal: Born Nov. 8, 1987. Business marketing major. Son of Nick for 111 yards his senior season and made 17 grabs his junior year. and Patti Kamenjarin. Brother Nick played baseball at Southern Four-year letterwinner. Owns the St. Dominic school record for career Illinois. Uncle Dave Steuer played football at Kent State and uncle rebounds and is third in career points. Nominated for the McDonald’s Jake Steuer played football at Youngstown State. Admires Dick All-American team in basketball, qualifying him as one of the top Butkus and Jack Lambert. Victory Scholar earned a 4.0 GPA in the 1,500 players in the country. Two-time all-conference honoree and spring 2008 semester. All-Metro selection in basketball. State qualifier in the shot put won the conference title in the discus his junior year in track and field. Personal: Born July 25, 1988. Son of Dianne and Mark Kiel. Uncle 78 Marvin Kiel played baseball at Murray State. Majoring in accountancy. Huskie Scholar with a 3.44 spring 2008 GPA. Enjoys fishing and . dan Fan of Kurt Warner and Peyton Manning. Keller OG | 6-6 | 295 | Sr.-RS | 1L 31 Racine, WI | St. Catherines tyler 2007: Appeared in 11 games on both the offensive and defensive lines. Began the season on offense and moved to defensive line Knight when injuries decimated that position. Started at defensive tackle DB | 5-11 | 195 | So.-RS | 2Sq at Wisconsin (10-20). Credited with two tackles in that game. Saw action with the offense in eight plays of the season-opener vs. Iowa Park Ridge, IL | Maine South (9-1). Lined up at defensive tackle for the first time at Idaho (9-22). On 2007: Appeared in the Western Michigan game (10-13). the field for 39 plays of that game. Continued with the defense for the rest of the season. Totaled three tackles at Toledo (10-27). 2006: Redshirted. 2006: Saw action in three games. Appeared in 10 plays on offensive High School: Team MVP, captain, first-team All-Central Suburban line against Indiana State (9-23). Saw action on six plays vs. Temple League South for conference champion and 12-2 state finalist as (10-21). On the field for four plays at Eastern Michigan (11-24). a senior. Earned first team all-state honors at quarterback after completing 214-of-317 pass attempts for 2,763 yards, 33 touchdowns 2005: Appeared in three games. Made collegiate debut with 19 plays and six interceptions while rushing for 831 yards and 15 scores, and against Tennessee Tech (9-17). In on six plays at Kent State (10-22). at kicker after connecting on 44-of-48 PATs and 10-of-14 field goals Saw time on two plays vs. Western Michigan (11-23). during his senior season. Set school record for longest field goal in 2004: Redshirted. playoffs (50 yards) as a senior. Named Offensive MVP in East vs. High School: Team captain, second team All-Lakeshore Conference West Shrine All-Star Game following his final prep season. Team MVP, at defensive end, and first team Racine Journal Times All-County as captain and first team all-conference selection for state runner-up as a senior. Totaled 55 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and two sacks a junior. Completed 80-of-117 passes for 1,416 yards, 17 touchdowns during his senior season. Had a 59-yard game-winning touchdown with four interceptions and added 346 rushing yards and nine TDs run and booted a 44-yard field goal during his final prep campaign. on the ground during his junior campaign. Booted 54 PATs on 56 Saw time as offensive tackle, tight end, fullback, defensive tackle, attempts and connected on 5-of-6 field goal tries while averaging 41.6 defensive end and kicker during his career. Team captain, first team yards per punt as junior. First team all-conference and was successful All-Lakeshore Conference, and first team Racine Journal Times All- on 21-of-23 PATs and 4-of-6 field goal attempts for state finalist as a County as a junior. Totaled 121 tackles and six sacks over his final sophomore. Three-time first team all-conference selection in baseball two years. Starting center on conference champion basketball team during his freshman, sophomore and junior years. during his junior and sophomore seasons. Two-time WIAA Regional Personal: Born Oct. 9, 1987. General studies major. Parents are Mike niuhuskies.com 69 2008 huskies player profiles and Lee Knight. Was one of 50 National Old Spice Red Zone Players of the Year. Three-time Pop Warner National Finalist while in sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Aspires to be a firefighter. Fan of Barry 58 Sanders and The Ultimate Warrior. mike 91 Krause david DL | 6-4 | 270 | So.-RS | 1L Germantown, WI | Germantown Koronkiewicz 2007: Appeared in seven games with four starts on the defensive TE | 6-4 | 250 | Sr.-RS | 1L line. Ranked fourth on the team among linemen with 13 tackles. Added two tackles for loss, including one sack. Made his collegiate Goshen, IN | Goshen debut in the season-opener vs. Iowa (9-1). Totaled four tackles, and 2007: Reserve tight end limited to two games by elbow injuries. was in on one tackle for loss before suffering a knee injury in that Underwent surgery on the elbow. On the field for 41 snaps of the game. Returned to action as a starter with one tackle, and one-half Eastern Michigan game (9-15). Made one catch for 15 yards at Idaho tackle for loss at Central Michigan (9-29). Made two tackles at Toledo (9-22). Played 25 snaps of that game. (10-17) and in the win over Kent State (11-10). Recorded a career- 2006: Saw action in 11 games with one start. Caught 11 passes for high three stops, including a 15-yard sack, vs. Ball State (11-24). 111 yards and two touchdowns. Six receptions and both touchdowns 2006: Redshirted. came over final two regular season contests. Did not play in first two High School: Team captain and MVP. Earned first team All-North games of the year. Totaled three catches for 28 yards at Miami (10-8). Shore Conference at both offensive tackle and defensive tackle Made his first collegiate start at Western Michigan (10-14). Caught and was named league Offensive Lineman of the Year. First team two passes for 19 yards against Temple (10-21). Scored a 20-yard Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Region selection and touchdown in two-catch, 35-yard outing vs. Central Michigan (11-17). first team Milwaukee Journal Sentinel All-Area and Area Lineman Had career-best four receptions for 29 yards, including a four-yard of the Year. First team WFCA All-State choice on both sides of the TD, at Eastern Michigan (11-24). Saw time at tight end vs. TCU in the ball and first team Associated Press All-State at defensive tackle. A Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). second-team AP all-state honoree at offensive tackle, and was first 2005: Played in six games as reserve tight end and on special teams. team all-state at defensive tackle by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Totaled three receptions for 42 yards, including a long of 28 yards. as a senior. Recorded 65 stops and six sacks on 9-3 WIAA Division 2 Made his first career reception, an eight-yarder, vs. Tennessee Tech quarterfinalist squad during his senior campaign. Wrapped up prep (9-17). Hauled in two passes for 34 yards, including 28-yarder, at Kent career by playing in WFCA Shrine All-Star Game. Racked up 146 State (10-22). career tackles and 14 sacks. Team captain and Defensive MVP, first High School: Cited as team Outstanding Offensive Lineman and made team All-NSC at OT and DT, plus league offensive lineman of year, and two catches for 39 yards in injury-shortened senior year. Named first made 51 tackles and six sacks on 8-4 state quarterfinalist as a junior. team All-Northern Lake Conference, first team South Bend Tribune All- Team “Rookie of the Year” with 30 tackles for 12-2 state champion Dream Team and first team all-area, honorable mention Bloomington as a sophomore. Earned three letters in football and track. Placed Herald Times All-State, and first team Indiana Football Coaches second in the state in the discus (162’1”) and was 15th in state in the Association Class 5A All-State as a junior. Caught 20 passes for 290 shot put (50’6 ¾”) as a senior. Placed 12th in the discus and 19th in yards as a tight end on 11-1 conference champion and playoff qualifier shot put at state meet as a junior. National Honor Society member during his junior campaign. Selected Most Improved Offensive Player, and seven-semester High Honor Roll student. first team Elkhart Truth All-Area, and honorable mention Bloomington Personal: Born July 3, 1988 in Menomonee Falls, Wisc. Business Herald Times All-State after catching 24 passes for 390 yards as a management major. Son of Adrian and Kathleen Krause. Brett Favre sophomore. Three-time football letterwinner and earned two letters fan. Hobbies include weightlifting and showing cows. Huskie Scholar in basketball and track. State and sectional champion shot putter in achieved a 3.4 GPA in the 2008 spring semester. final prep season. Placed sixth in shot at state as a junior. Four-year student council representative. Personal: Born Sept. 17, 1985 in Philadelphia, Pa. Graduated in business administration in three years while posting a 3.4 GPA and is now working toward his MBA. Son of David and Sheila Koronkiewicz. Koronkiewicz’s career Statistics Year g/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm 2005 12/0 3 42 14.0 0 28 3.5 2006 11/1 11 111 10.1 2 20 10.1 2007 2/2 1 15 15 0 15 7.5 “We work hard every day to get better, and compete to make Career 25/3 15 168 11.2 2 28 6.7 each other better.” - Mike Krause

Career Highs Krause’s career Statistics Catches: 4, at Eastern Michigan, 11-24-06 Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU Yards: 35, vs. Central Michigan, 11-17-06 2007 7/4 6 7 13 2-17 1-15 0/0 0/0 Touchdowns: 1, twice, last at Eastern Michigan, 11-24-06 Long Gain: 28, vs. Kent State, 10-22-05 Career Highs Tackles: 4, vs. Iowa, 9-1-07

70 niuhuskies.com 2008 huskies player profiles 15 john Kremer DB | 5-10 | 180 | So.-RS | 2Sq Oswego, IL | Oswego 2007: Did not appear in any games. 2006: Redshirted. High School: First team All-Suburban Prairie Conference, honorable mention all-area and team captain as a senior. Had 39 tackles with two interceptions at cornerback and rushed for 338 yards on 46 carries with eight touchdowns as running back for Class 7A playoff qualifier during his senior season. Had 37 tackles and two picks for honorable “This is my opportunity to play football and have fun, and mention all-conference honors for playoff team as a junior. that’s what it’s all about.” - Alex Krutsch Personal: Born Dec. 7, 1987 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Exercise science major. Victory Scholar earned a 3.79 spring 2008 GPA. Parents are percent of the Huskies’ defensive snaps. Opened the year with two John and Rose Kremer. Aspires to become a personal trainer and tackles vs. Iowa (9-1). Made two stops at Idaho (9-22). Registered open his own gym. Admirer of Walter Payton. six tackles, four solo and one for loss, and forced a fumble at Central Michigan (9-29). Recorded a career-high two tackles for loss in four- tackle outing at Temple (10-6). Credited with four tackles, three solo, 48 vs. Western Michigan (10-13). Totaled six tackles, three solo and 1.5 for loss, and was in on a sack at Toledo (10-27). Had five tackles, one mike for loss, vs. Kent State (11-10). Racked up a career-high eight stops, including seven solo, at Navy (11-17). Made four tackles, including one for loss, vs. Ball State (11-24). Kritikos 2006: Starter in six of seven games played. Missed final six regular DE | 6-3 | 220 | Jr.-RS | 2Sq season contests with injury. Totaled 13 tackles, 10 solo, with one for loss, one sack and a blocked kick. Made first career start at Ohio Addison, IL | Addison Trail State (9-2). Blocked extra point in three-tackle performance vs. 2007: Did not appear in any games. Buffalo (9-16). Credited with two tackles against Indiana State (9-23). Racked up five tackles, including a 10-yard sack, at Ball State (9-30). 2006: Played in one game and made one tackle on the season. Saw Made two stops before leaving game with injury at Miami (10-8). Saw action for three defensive plays and was credited with a tackle in his action as reserve and was credited with one tackle vs. TCU in the collegiate debut vs. Indiana State. Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). 2005: Redshirted. 2005: Appeared in seven games. Totaled six tackles, including four High School: First team All-West Suburban Gold Conference and team solo, and one quarterback pressure. Made collegiate debut with seven captain for 8-3 conference champion. Played linebacker and tight plays at Michigan (9-3). Had three tackles, including two solo, against end during prep career. Helped team to conference co-championship Tennessee Tech (9-17). Credited with two tackles and a quarterback as a sophomore. Part of perfect 9-0 conference championship team pressure at Kent State (10-22). Had one tackle at Central Michigan as a freshman. (11-5). Personal: Born Jan. 26, 2007. Business administration major. Parents 2004: Redshirted. are Peter and Katerina Kritikos. Aspires to open up his own fitness High School: Named second team Mid-Suburban League, All-West center. Division, and honorable mention Daily Herald Northwest All-Area during his senior season. Entered his final prep campaign onChicago 69 Tribune Players to Watch list. Two-time football letterwinner. Personal: Born July 20, 1985. Communication studies major. Parents alex are Mike and Lynn Krutsch. Hobbies include playing the drums. Fan of Walter Payton. Victory Scholar with a 3.75 spring 2008 GPA. Krutsch Krutsch’s career Statistics DT | 6-3 | 265 | Sr.-RS | 3L Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU Schaumburg, IL | Schaumburg 2005 7/0 4 2 6 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/0 2006 7/6 3 10 13 1-10 1-10 0/0 0/0 2007: Enjoyed a career year as a junior. A third-team All-MAC 2007 12/11 22 22 44 6.5-16 .5-3 1/0 0/0 selection by Phil Steele. Started 11 of 12 games played as one of Career 26/17 29 34 63 7.5-26 1.5-13 1/0 0/0 NIU’s most durable defenders. One of only 10 defensive players to play in all 12 games in 2007. Ranked fourth on the team, second Career Highs among defensive linemen, with 6.5 tackles for loss. Led all Huskie interior linemen with 44 stops. Totaled five or more tackles in four Tackles: 8, at Navy, 11-17-07 games, including the season’s final three outings. Forced one fumble TFLs: 1, at Ball State, 9-30-06 and made at least one tackle in every game. On the field for over 80 Sacks: 1, at Ball State, 9-30-06 niuhuskies.com 71 2008 huskies player profiles 37 57 alex zach Kube Larsen LB | 6-0 | 220 | So.-RS | 1L LB | 6-2 | 225 | Jr.-RS | 1L Cary, IL | Cary-Grove Northfield, MN | Northfield After leading NIU in tackles from his safety spot as a freshman, 2007: Appeared in 11 games and started the last six at middle worked out at linebacker in the spring. linebacker. Named the co-winner of the team’s Most Improved Award 2007: Earned Freshman All-America accolades from The Sporting for 2007, and developed into a big play man for the NIU defense. Made News, becoming the third consecutive Huskie first team selection. all of his 59 tackles in the last seven games of the season to average Ranked second in the nation in tackles among first-year players with 8.43 tackles per game during that stretch. Had three double-digit 111. Became the first freshman to lead NIU in tackles in 31 years tackle days in the last six games. Finished the year ranked seventh despite sitting out the season finale. A first-team All-MAC choice on the team in tackles and was the team leader with two fumbles by Phil Steele’s Magazine. Ranked seventh in the MAC and 27th in forced and two recovered. Posted 3.5 tackles for loss with two sacks. the country with 10.09 tackles per game. Played in 11 games with Forced a fumble and made four tackles at Temple (10-6) in his first nine starts at strong safety and racked up seven double-digit tackle extensive experience at linebacker. Led NIU and set a career-high efforts to go with three pass break ups, a forced fumble, a fumble with 13 tackles and a forced fumble vs. Western Michigan (10-13). recovery and 0.5 tackles for loss. Posted the highest single-game Tallied 10 tackles at Wisconsin (10-20). Made eight stops, one for tackle performance by a Huskie player during the season with 15 at loss, at Toledo (10-27). Totaled six tackles and recovered a fumble vs. Navy. Totaled seven tackles and a pass break up in season opener Kent State (11-10). Recorded eight tackles at Navy (11-17). Racked vs. Iowa (9-1). Registered 10 tackles and forced and recovered a up 10 tackles, including two sacks, and forced a fumble vs. Ball State fumble vs. Southern Illinois (9-8). Collected 10 stops and was credited (11-24). with half a tackle for loss vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15). Racked up 2006: Appeared in four contests as reserve linebacker and on special 11 tackles, eight solo, at Idaho (9-22). Led team with 14 tackles at teams, including the bowl game. Credited with two tackles on the Temple (10-6). Made 12 stops, seven solo, with one pass break up season. Played five plays on defense in collegiate debut against vs. Western Michigan (10-13). Recorded eight tackles at Wisconsin Buffalo (9-16). Saw time on 19 defensive plays vs. Indiana State (10-20). Totaled nine tackles and a pass break up at Toledo (10-27). (9-23). In on 11 defensive plays against Temple (10-21). Appeared on Credited with 11 tackles against Kent State (11-10). Among his team- special teams vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). high 15 trackles at Navy (11-17), nine were solo stops. 2005: Redshirted. 2006: Redshirted. High School: Team captain and Defensive Player of the Year, first High School: Class 6A All-State selection and No. 29 state prospect team All-Missota Conference, first team MC All-Academic, second by Rivals.com. Team captain and MVP, Larry Myer Defensive Player team Minneapolis Star-Tribune All-Metro, second team St. Paul Award recipient, first team All-, first team Pioneer Press All-State, and first team Associated Press All-State as Northwest Herald All-Area and Player of the Year, first team Daily a senior. Collected school-record 183 tackles with nine sacks, three Herald Fox Valley All-Area and team co-captain, first team Chicago pass deflections, and two forced fumbles as linebacker and rushed Sun-Times All-Area, second team Chicago Tribune All-State, first team for 322 yards and five touchdowns on 68 carries as running back for Champaign News-Gazette All-State, and first team IFCA All-State as 12-1 league champion and Class 4A playoff semifinalist during his a senior. Rushed for 694 yards and 10 touchdowns on 74 carries senior season. Set school career records with 368 tackles and 16 (9.4 avg.), had seven catches for 151 yards (21.6 avg.) and four TDs, sacks. First team All-Missota Conference with 141 tackles, eight pass converted 15-of-16 PAT kicks, and posted 64 tackles (38 solo) for 11-1 deflections, six sacks, and two forced fumbles as linebacker and ran state quarterfinalist during his senior year. Entered final campaign on for 345 yards and one TD on 60 attempts as running back for playoff Chicago Sun-Times Top Five players and Area Top 100 player lists. entry during junior year. Totaled 62 stops in varsity campaign as a First team All-FVC, special mention Daily Herald All-Area, and first sophomore. Three-time football letterwinner and earned four letters team Northwest Herald All-Area with team-leading 111 tackles on in track. Also competed in AAU basketball. Recruited by Iowa State, 13-1 Class 7A state runner-up as a junior. Played free safety, strong Boston College, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Wyoming, and Western safety, running back, wide receiver, punt returner, kickoff returner Michigan. and place kicker during prep career. Personal: Born Nov. 19, 1986 in Northfield, Minn. Marketing major. Personal: Born Oct. 31, 1987. Communication studies major. Parents Made 3.0 cumulative GPA list following 2008 spring semester. Son of are Tim and Lorna Kube. Lived in Germany for six years and played for Tim and Wanda Larson. Ray Lewis fan. Enjoys fishing. Algonquin Copa FC that won Youth World Cup twice during 1998 and Larsen’s career Statistics 1999 seasons. Fan of Reggie Bush and Ray Lewis. Kube’s career Statistics Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU 2006 4/0 1 1 2 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/0 Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU 2007 11/6 28 31 59 3.5-12 2-10 2/2 0/0 2007 11/9 49 62 111 0.5-1 0-0 1/1 0/3 Career 15/6 29 32 61 3.5-12 2-10 2/2 0/0

Career Highs Career Highs Tackles: 15, at Navy, 11-17-07 Tackles: 13, vs. Western Michigan, 10-13-07 TFLs: 2, vs. Ball State, 11-24-07 Sacks: 2, vs. Ball State, 11-24-07

72 niuhuskies.com 2008 huskies player profiles

special mention Chicago Sun-Times All-Area. Grabbed 50 passes for 778 yards for a 15.6 average, and eight TDs. Four-time football 45 letterwinner and earned three letters in basketball. Named first team All-NSC, and first team all-area, third team Illinois Basketball Coaches mike Association Class AA All-State, honorable mention Associated Press Class AA All-State, Chicago Tribune special mention All-State and Chicago Sun-Times All-State as a senior. Averaged 14 points per game Lepper and tallied a career-high 41 points in one game as a senior. LB | 6-1 | 230 | So.-RS | 2Sq Personal: Born Nov. 10, 1988 in Ft. Polk, La. Son of Mark and Rose Oak Lawn, IL | Richards Lewis. Communication studies major. Fan of Tiger Woods and Muhammad Ali. 2007: Appeared in five games on special teams. Made his collegiate debut at Central Michigan (9-29). Also saw time at Wisconsin (10-20), “Teammates are brothers to me, who help me when things at Toledo (10-27), in a win over Kent State (11-10) and vs. Ball State are down.” - Marcus Lewis. (11-24). 2006: Redshirted. High School: Team captain and team Hardest Hitter Award recipient, first team All-SICA Orange Conference, and first-teamStar Newspapers All-Area as a senior. Recorded 85 tackles, 10 sacks, five forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks for 7-3 Class 6A playoff qualifier. Entered senior campaign on Chicago Tribune Area Top 100 players list. All-SICA East and all-area after totaling 70 tackles, three pass deflections, two sacks, and two blocked kicks on 10-2 playoff squad as a junior. Played linebacker, free safety and cornerback. Earned three letters in football and four in track. Ran 100 and 200 meter sprints and was part of 4x100 and 4x200 relays. Honor Roll student. Personal: Born Jan. 3, 1988. Son of Ronald and Kathleen Lepper. Corporate communications major. Huskie Scholar with a 3.25 GPA. 11 Lewis’ career Statistics marcus Year g/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm 2006 11/0 4 68 17.0 0 28 6.2 2007 10/1 6 42 7.0 0 13 4.2 Lewis Career 21/1 10 110 11.0 0 28 5.2 WR | 6-3 | 210 | Jr. | 2L Career Highs Gurnee, IL | Warren Catches: 5, at Navy, 11-17-07 2007: Appeared in 10 games, primarily as a back-up wide receiver Yards: 32, vs. Temple, 10-20-06 and on special teams. Caught six passes for 42 yards on the season. Long Gain: 28, at Eastern Michigan, 11-24-06 Made one start at Wisconsin (10-20). Three of his six catches on the year resulted in first downs. Caught one pass for 13 yards and a first down at Temple (10-6). Made five catches for 29 yards and two first downs at Navy (10-17). 97 2006: Played in 11 games as reserve receiver and on special teams jack kickoff return unit. Caught four passes for 68 yards and made one tackle. Made collegiate debut on special teams at Ohio State (9-2). Hauled in first collegiate reception, an eight-yarder, vs. Indiana State Marks (9-23). Caught two passes for 32 yards vs. Toledo (11-7). Had a TE | 6-6 | 240 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq 28-yard reception in the regular season finale at Eastern Michigan (11-24). Saw action vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). Orland Park, IL | Marist High School: As a senior, selected first team All-North Suburban 2007: Redshirted. Conference Lake Division, first team Pioneer Press All-Area, first team High School: Played wide receiver and defensive back, earning two Waukegan News-Sun All-County, first team Daily Herald All-Area, first football letters from Marist. Team captain as a senior earned first- team Chicago Sun-Times All-Area and Class 5A-8A All-State. Earned team all-conference accolades in both his junior and senior seasons. special mention Champaign News-Gazette All-State honors, and was Totaled 65 catches for 1,131 yards and five touchdowns in his career. a second team Chicago Tribune All-State slection while playing for 9-2 Made 33 tackles and forced two fumbles as a defensive back during league runner-up and Class 8A playoff qualifier. Totaled 39 catches his senior season. Earned first team all-East Suburban Catholic for 798 yards a 20.5 average with nine touchdowns during his senior Conference honors in basketball as a senior. Helped his basketball season. Entered his final prep season as one of the Midwest Region team to the IHSA Regional title, and participated in the 2007 ESCC “Next 100 Players to Watch” by The Sporting News and Area Top 100 All-Star Game. players by Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune. Combined for 89 Personal: Born April 14, 1989. Son of Mary and Michael Marks. Father receptions for 1,576 yards (a 17.7 avg.), and 17 TDs over final two captained Purdue football team in 1980. Uncle Rich Marks (1971-74) campaigns. As a junior, first-team All-NSC Lake Division, first-team is a member of the NIU All-Century Team. Uncle John Marks played for Waukegan News-Sun All-County, first team Daily Herald All-Area, and the Huskies in 1976. Marketing major enjoys fishing and golf. niuhuskies.com 73 2008 huskies player profiles 1 anthony Mason DB | 6-0 | 185 | Jr.-RS | 1L Hopkins Park, IL | Bishop McNamara | Valparaiso 2007: One of 10 defensive players to appear in all 12 games. Reserve defensive back and special teams member totaled 14 tackles and was in on a sack. Registered three tackles in his collegiate debut, the season-opener vs. Iowa (9-1). Credited with two tackles against Southern Illinois (9-8). Also made two tackles against Eastern Michigan (9-15) and at Toledo (10-27). Had one tackle and one-half sack vs. Western Michigan (10-13). “NIU Football was the best decision I’ve ever made. Not only has it given 2006: Sat out after transferring from Valparaiso University. me the opportunity to play the game I want to play on a daily basis, but allows me to play it with the best people.” - Tim Mayerbock “Being a transfer, I realize the difference between 2006: Saw action in final 10 games as reserve offensive lineman and on PAT blocking unit. Made collegiate debut with 17 plays on line D-IAA and D-IA football. NIU means giving it all you’ve vs. Indiana State (9-23). Saw action on the o-line in six plays against got every time you step on the field.” Temple (10-21). On the field for three plays at Eastern Michigan (11-24). Blocker on PAT attempt vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl - Anthony Mason (12-19). 2005: Redshirted. Valparaiso: Redshirted in 2005. High School: Named team captain and Most Valuable Offensive High School: Team captain, first team All-, Lineman, first team All-ESCC, special mention Chicago Sun-Times and second team all-area as a senior. Racked up 65 tackles, two All-Area, and special mention Chicago Tribune All-State on 9-2 sacks, two forced fumbles, two pass deflections and one fumble league runner-up and Class 7A playoff qualifier as a senior. Three- recovery during his senior year. Second team all-conference selection year offensive line MVP and two-time All-East Suburban Catholic after totaling 46 tackles, four pass deflections and one interception Conference selection. Did not allow a sack in three varsity seasons. as a junior. Made 27 tackles, two interceptions, and one sack as a Led team with 119 “pancake blocks” in his final campaign. Entered sophomore. senior year on preseason Chicago Sun-Times Top Area 100 player Personal: Born Jan. 24, 1987 in Monterey, Calif. Physical education and Chicago Tribune ESCC Player to Watch lists. First team All-ESCC major and health education minor. Victory scholar posted a 4.0 GPA and offensive line MVP as a junior. Honor Roll student. Recruited by in the 2008 spring semester. Parents are Anthony and Loria Mason. Kansas, Northwestern, Indiana, and Akron. Mason’s career Statistics Personal: Born Dec. 30, 1985. Sociology/criminology major. Made Huskie Scholar list following 2008 spring semester with a 3.4 GPA. Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU Son of Bud and Rose Mayerbock. Aspires to be an FBI agent. Hobbies 2007 12/0 5 9 14 0.5-1 0.5-1 0/0 0/0 include hunting and boxing. Career Highs Tackles: 3, vs. Iowa, 9-1-07 41 pat 77 Mcavoy tim FB | 6-1 | 215 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq Mayerbock Cary, IL | St. Viator OG | 6-4 | 305 | Jr.-RS | 2L 2007: Redshirted. High School: Named first-team all-state as a senior to go with all- Chicago, IL | St. Patrick area and all-conference honors. Achieved all-area and all-conference 2007: Appeared in 11 games on the offensive line. Started the first accolades as a junior. Recognized as the Chicago Sun-Times and the four games of the season at left guard. Part of the offensive line that Daily Herald Player of the Week. As a tailback, totaled 3,309 yards led the way for Justin Anderson to record the ninth-straight 1,000-yard in his varsity career. Gained 1,435 yards on 153 carries for a 9.4 rushing season by a Huskie tailback. Graded out at a season-best 78 average as a senior. Scored 17 touchdowns that year. Rushed for percent vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15). Recorded a 75 percent grade and 1,327 yards on 149 tries (an 8.9 average) with 16 touchdowns during was on the field for all 71 offensive plays vs. Southern Illinois (9-8). his junior season. As a strong safety, recorded 43 tackles, two sacks, Saw action for 53 plays against both Eastern Michigan (9-15) and two forced fumbles and had one interception as a senior. During his Idaho (9-22). Graded at 70 percent in the Idaho game. Also played on junior year, recorded 34 stops, with three forced fumbles and one the PAT/FG unit. interception. Helped the Lions to an 8-1 record and ESCC title as a senior. Team finished 8-1 to place second in the league during his

74 niuhuskies.com 2008 huskies player profiles sophomore year. Also played baseball and hockey. On the ice, earned 2004: Redshirted. all-conference honors after both his junior and senior years. As a High School: Named team captain and MVP, team Defensive Player catcher and center fielder for the Lions’ baseball team, twice given of the Year and Big Hit Award recipient, first team Milwaukee Journal all-area and all-conference recognition, and earned the ESCC Most Sentinel All-State, second team Associated Press All-State, first team Valuable Player Award as a senior. All-Fox Valley Association, league Defensive Player of the Year and Personal: Born May 1, 1989 in DeKalb. Son of Betsy and Patrick Linebacker of the Year, first team Appleton Post-Crescent All-Area, McAvoy. Father played linebacker for the Huskies from 1981-83 and and honorable mention WFCA All-Region during senior season. Led in 1985. Mother played for NIU from 1986-89. Cousin Tim team with 93 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss as linebacker, rushed McAvoy played football at Michigan, and uncle Tim McAvoy played for 317 yards and three TDs on 59 carries as fullback and punted football at Illinois. Business major with a 3.2 spring semester GPA. 51 times for 36.2 average on playoff qualifier as a senior. Totaled 1,002 career rushing yards and 241 tackles and played in Shrine Game at completion of prep career. Tabbed team captain and MVP, 53 team Defensive Player of the Year and Big Hit Award recipient, and first team All-FVC as a junior. Earned four letters in football and four tim in wrestling. Four-season team MVP, league, Regional, and Sectional wrestling champion. Three-time all-state wrestling selection and state finalist as wrestler. Advanced to state finals with unbeaten record as a Mccarthy junior and senior. Finished 42-0 and won WIAA Division I 215-pound LB | 6-1 | 230 | Sr.-RS | 2L title as a senior. Went 40-1 and was third in state at 215 pounds as junior after placing second at 189 as a sophomore. Named USA Neenah, WI | Neenah Wrestling Cadet Greco All-American in 2002. Honor Roll student. Serves on Head Coach Jerry Kill’s Leadership Council. Leads all Personal: Born April 23, 1986 in Sheboygan, Wisc. Health education returning players in career tackles with 228. Needs four assists to major. Parents are David and Sue McCarthy. Older brother, Patrick move into the NIU career top-10 in that category. McCarthy, was a linebacker at Minnesota and was a three-time 2007: Sat out the last 10 games of the year with a knee injury suffered Academic All-Big Ten honoree. Admires Walter Payton and brother, vs. Southern Illinois (9-8). Totaled 16 tackles in the season’s first two Patrick. Huskie Scholar earned a 3.25 spring semester GPA. games as the starting middle linebacker. Recorded seven stops vs. McCarthy’s career Statistics Iowa (9-1). Made nine tackles, one for loss in the SIU game. Elected a team captain by Huskie teammates. Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU 2006: Honorable Mention All-MAC selection. Started all 12 games 2005 12/6 64 37 101 3-13 1-10 1/2 0/2 played and missed one because of injury. Ranked second on team with 2006 12/12 38 73 111 7-21 1-11 0/1 2/5 111 tackles, seven for loss, with one sack and one fumble recovery. 2007 3/2 4 12 16 1-4 0-0 0/0 0/0 Intercepted two passes to lead the team and had five pass break ups. Career 27/20 106 122 228 11-38 2-21 1/3 2/7 Placed third in MAC and 20th nationally with 9.25 tackles per game. Had nine or more stops in eight games and totaled four double- Career Highs digit tackle contests. Led linebackers in tackles for loss and ranked second on team in pass break ups. Recovered a fumble and totaled Tackles: 17, vs. Ball State, 10-29-05 nine tackles at Ohio State (9-2). Racked up 12 tackles, one for loss, TFLs: 2, vs. Central Michigan, 11-17-06 vs. Ohio (9-9). Totaled 11 stops against Buffalo (9-16). Earned MAC Interceptions: 1, twice, last at Iowa, 10-28-06 West Defensive Player of the Week honor after registering 14 tackles, Sacks: 1, twice, last at Miami (Ohio), 10-8-06 one for loss, and was unofficially credited with 22 stops according to coaches’ film review at Ball State (9-30). Had a sack and a tackle for loss in five-tackle effort at Miami (10-8). Intercepted first career pass and returned it 44 yards, and was credited with pass break up and 15 seven tackles at Western Michigan (10-14). Broke up three passes and made five stops vs. Temple (10-21). Intercepted pass in a nine- ryan tackle performance at Iowa (10-28). Amassed team-high 16 tackles, one for loss, with a pass break up vs. Toledo (11-7). Recorded seven Morris stops, including two for loss, vs. Central Michigan (11-17). Credited QB | 6-3 | 200 | Jr.-RS | 1L with nine tackles, one for loss, at Eastern Michigan (11-24). Totaled seven tackles vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). Carol Stream, IL | West Chicago 2005: First Team Scripps Freshman All-American by Football Writers Association of America. honorable mention Freshman All-American by 2007: Saw action in the final eight games of the season. Made three The Sporting News. Played in 11 games and started final six contests. starts for injured starter Dan Nicholson. Completed 67-of-127 passes Ranked second on the team with 101 tackles, 64 solo, and had three – 52.7 percent – for 727 yards and four touchdowns in the first tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and one sack. Made collegiate extensive action of his career. Threw five interceptions and averaged debut and racked up 12 tackles in reserve role at Michigan (9-3). 90.8 yards passing per game. Started the final two games of the Credited with eight stops against Tennessee Tech (9-17). Registered season at Navy (11-17) and vs. Ball State (10-14) after Nicholson seven tackles, including one for loss, against Miami (10-5). Earned first suffered a concussion. Had his best game with a 24-for-44 effort vs. career start and totaled nine tackles and a fumble recovery at Kent Ball State (10-14) which included two touchdown passes. Completed State (10-22). Amassed team-high 17 tackles with a sack, a forced a 45-yard pass to Britt Davis to open a late-second quarter drive that fumble, and a quarterback hurry vs. Ball State (10-29). Accumulated resulted in a field goal in that game. Threw a season-long 46-yard 13 tackles, including 10 solo, at Central Michigan (11-5). Had 13 touchdown pass to Matt Simon on the opening drive at Navy (11-17). tackle with one pass deflection at Toledo (11-16). Had seven tackles, Completed a career-best 60 percent (21-of-35) of his passes and one for loss, with pass deflection against Western Michigan (11-25). threw two touchdowns in that game. Went 13-for-25 for 144 yards in Made eight stops vs. Akron in the MAC title game (12-1). the Western Michigan game. Completed 3-of-8 passes for 68 yards at Wisconsin (10-20), including a 38-yard bomb to Simon. niuhuskies.com 75 2008 huskies player profiles

2006: Spent most of the season as team’s No. 3 quarterback. Saw action in three games and attempted one pass. Served as No. 2 signal caller in final two contests of the season, including the bowl 19 game. Made his collegiate debut late in the game vs. Indiana State (9-23). Also saw action in regular season finale at Eastern Michigan dan (11-24). Attempted first collegiate pass as substitute vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). Nicholson 2005: Redshirted. QB | 6-3 | 190 | Sr.-RS | 3L High School: Served as captain and named Most Valuable Player as a senior. Earned second-team All-DuPage Valley Conference and Chicago, IL | Brother Rice honorable mention all-area honors after throwing for 1,850 yards and Underwent surgery on his throwing shoulder following the 2007 11 touchdowns during his final prep season. Lettered during his final season and could not participate in spring drills. Member of Head two years. Honor Roll member all four years. Coach Jerry Kill’s Leadership Council. Personal: Born Feb. 11, 1987. Finance major. Huskie Scholar with 2007: Started nine games, completing 151-of-248 passes for 1,633 a 3.0 spring semester GPA. Son of Daniel and Kathy Morris of Carol yards, but battled injuries and a sore shoulder throughout the year. Stream, Ill. John Elway and Tom Brady fan. His 60.9 completion percentage ranks fourth on the single-season Morris’ career Statistics list, while the 151 completions are eighth. Also ranks fourth on the single-season charts with 181.4 passing yards per game and his 16.8 Year G/GS C-A-I Pct. Yds. TD Lg Yds/Gm Effic. completions per game was the third highest season mark. Threw 2006 3/0 0-1-0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0 nine touchdown passes, including a career-long 92-yard bomb to 2007 8/3 67-127-5 52.7 727 4 46 90.8 103.3 Matt Simon at Central Michigan (9-29). That ranked as the fourth- Career 11/3 67-128-5 52.7 727 4 46 90.8 103.3 longest completion in NIU history. Compiled four 200-yard passing games on the year. Ranked ninth in the MAC in total offense with Career Highs 1,567 yards. Ranks in Northern Illinois’ career top-10 in nine different Pass Attempts: 44, vs. Ball State, 11-24-07 passing categories: ninth in yards with 3,112, fifth in yards per game with 141.45, third in completion percentage at 58.95 percent, and Passing Completions: 24, vs. Ball State, 11-24-07 10th in touchdowns with 20. Matched his career high by throwing two Yards: 252, vs. Ball State, 11-24-07 touchdown passes in a game three times - versus Southern Illinois Touchdowns: 2, two times, last vs. Ball State, 11-24-07 (9-8), Idaho (9-22), and Kent State (11-10). Opened the season by Long Gain: 46, at Navy, 11-17-07 completing 26-of-42 attempts for 214 yards vs. Iowa (9-1). The 26 completions ranks tied for the fourth-best single game total at NIU while the 42 attempts are 10th. Connected on 41-of-55 passes for 89 383 yards and three touchdowns combined in the Southern Illinois (9-8) and Eastern Michigan (9-15) games with a 21-of-27 passing day ron versus SIU. Compiled 223 passing yards in the SIU game and had 160 on 20-of-28 passing versus EMU. Completed 21-of-41 passes for a season-high 293 yards at Central Michigan (9-29), including the Newcomb 92-yarder. Went 21-for-28 for 275 yards with a 50-yard completion to DL | 6-3 | 235 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq Simon and two touchdowns in the win over Kent State (11-10). Also Wheatfield, IN | Mount Carmel (IL) gained 19 yards on four rushes in that game. 2006: Saw action in seven games, starting the final two, including 2007: Redshirted. the Poinsettia Bowl. Connected on 60-of-115 attempts (52.2 percent) High School: Picked up second team All-State recognition from the for 648 yards and five touchdowns with six interceptions. Made Chicago Tribune. Named the Northwest Indiana Times Defensive appearances at Ohio State (9-2) and vs. Indiana State (9-23). Came Player of the Year for 2006. A Sports Illustrated Prep Player of off the bench to complete 9-of-14 passes for 124 yards with two touchdowns and one interception against Temple (10-21). Replaced “We give it all we’ve got in the summer so we can do injured Phil Horvath in first quarter and connected on 11-of-18 passes for 116 yards with a TD and an INT in the win vs. Central Michigan well during the season.” (11-17). Started and completed season-best 24-of-37 passes for - Ron Newcomb 261 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions at Easter Michigan (11-24). Was 20-of-24 for 193 yards and two TDs for 178.4 the Week (11-18-06). Earned first team all-conference honors as rating in the first half. Started and went 6-of-18 for 80 yards vs. TCU a senior after being a second team choice as a junior. Selected to in Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). the first team All-Area squad by the Northwest Indiana Times, the 2005: Played six games and started the final three, including the Daily Southtown, the Sun-Times and the Tribune in 2006. Member MAC Championship Game vs. Akron. Completed 59-of-95 pass of the Sun-Times’ Area Top 100 list at tight end. Honorable mention attempts (62.1 percent) for 831 yards with six touchdowns and two All-Area his junior year. In his final two seasons, tallied 91 tackles, interceptions. Saw action as a reserve against Tennessee Tech (9-17) 27 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and 16 pass deflections. Scored five and Kent State (10-22). Replaced injured Phil Horvath at Central career touchdowns with 23 catches at tight end as a senior. Compiled Michigan (11-5) and went 19-of-27 for a career-high 320 yards, a career punting average of 34.5 yards. Three-year letterwinner. Most including a 79-yard strike, and two touchdowns. Completed 21-of-30 Valuable Defensive Lineman and was a team captain his senior year. passes for 176 yards and two TDs in first career start and win at Helped lead Mt. Carmel to back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Toledo (11-16). Went 8-of-13 for 160 yards and one score against Illinois State Championship game in 2005 and 2006. Western Michigan (11-23). Completed 7-of-17 tosses for 110 yards Personal: Born Jan. 25, 1989 in Palos, Ill. Son of Kimberly and Ronald and a touchdown vs. Akron in MAC Championship (12-1). Newcomb. Business major enjoys fishing. Fan of Dick Butkus and 2004: Redshirted. Walter Payton. Huskie Scholar with a 3.13 spring semester GPA.

76 niuhuskies.com 2008 huskies player profiles 62 trevor Olson OL | 6-6 | 290 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq Richfield, MN | Richfield 2007: Redshirted. Finished spring as Huskies’ starter at left tackle. High School: Earned first team all-conference honors as a junior and senior. Named to the All-Area first team his senior year by theRichfield Sun-Current. Selected to MinnesotaPreps.com All-State second team as a senior. Nominated for the Minnesota High School Football Coaches All-Star Game. Played offensive tackle, defensive tackle, and kicker at Richfield High. Elected a team captain as a senior. His grandfather, Warren Olson, is in the Minnesota Football Coaches Hall “Teammates are people I can look to when I need strength.” of Fame. Three-year football letterwinner who also played three years - Dan Nicholson of golf and two years of hockey at the varsity level. High School: Set several school season and career passing records, Personal: Born July 1, 1988 in Edina, Minn. Son of Lisa and Todd including career mark of 3,120 yards. Named team captain and MVP, Olson. History major enjoys hunting and fishing. first team Catholic League All-Blue Division, recipient of Tony Lawless Award (league MVP), first team Star Newspapers All-Area, Reporter Newspapers Area Player of the Year, first team Daily Southtown All- 65 Area, special mention Chicago Sun-Times All-Area and postseason Area Top 100 players, special mention Chicago Tribune All-State, first jason team Champaign News-Gazette All-State, and PrepStar Magazine All-American during his senior season. Cited on preseason Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune league and area top player lists, The Onyebuagu Sporting News “Next 100 Players to Watch” All-Midwest ratings and OL | 6-2 | 305 | Jr. | 2L Street & Smith’s “Other Prep Seniors to Watch” entering final prep campaign. Threw for 1,960 yards and 22 touchdowns against only five Indianapolis, IN | Warren Central interceptions while completing 59.6 percent of his passes (134-of-225) 2007: Started all 12 games at right guard and served as the team’s on 11-2 state Class 8A playoff semifinalist as a senior. Threw for 256 backup center. On the field for all but 17 offensive snaps during the yards and one TD on 17-of-34 passes in 2003 state quarterfinals. season. Ranked first or second in the offensive line grades in eight Earned first team all-area accolades fromStar Newspapers and Daily games. Key part of the offensive line that led the way for Justin Southtown after connecting on 107-of-183 passes for 1,160 yards, Anderson to record the ninth-straight 1,000-yard rushing season by a 12 TDs, and six interceptions on playoff qualifier as a junior. Earned Huskie tailback. Graded out at 80 percent or higher in eight contests. three letters in football and two in basketball. Honor Roll student. Totaled six knockdown blocks vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15). Credited Personal: Born Jan. 6, 1986. Communication studies major. Son of with a five-yard pass reception in the game after a Dan Nicholson Don and Barbara Nicholson. Admires Brett Favre. throw bounced off an EMU defender into his hands. The catch kept NIU’s final drive alive and helped set-up a potential game-winning field Nicholson’s career Statistics goal. Credited with six knockdowns vs. Central Michigan (9-29). Led all offensive linemen with an 84 percent grade, the top mark of any Passing NIU player for the year, at Wisconsin (10-20). Notched a team season Year G/GS C-A-I Pct. Yds. TD Lg Yds/Gm Effic. best nine knockdown blocks in the win over Kent State (11-10). 2005 6/3 59-95-2 62.1 831 6 79 138.5 152.2 2006: Played in all 13 games with five starts, four at right guard 2006 7/2 60-115-6 52.2 648 5 62 92.6 103.4 and one at center. Graded at 86 percent and totaled 21 knockdown 2007 9/9 151-248-14 60.9 1633 9 92 181.4 116.9 blocks. Made collegiate debut in reserve role at Ohio State (9-2). Career 22/14 270-458-22 59.0 3,112 20 92 141.5 120.83 Had season-best seven knockdown blocks from right guard position in first collegiate start at Ball State (9-30). Started at right guard Total Offense at Miami (10-8). Anchored line as starting center at Iowa (10-28). Year Rush Yds. Pass Yds. TD Plays Yds. YPG YPP Starting right guard for final two regular season contests vs. Central 2005 19 -89 95 831 8 114 742 123.7 6.5 Michigan (11-17) and at Eastern Michigan (11-24). Saw time vs. TCU 2006 14 -52 115 648 5 129 596 85.1 4.6 in the Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). Coach Joe Novak called him “the top 2007 21 -66 248 1633 9 269 1567 174.1 5.8 freshman offensive lineman” he has seen. Entered season ranked Career 54 -207 458 3112 22 512 2905 132.0 5.7 No. 56 nationally among incoming offensive lineman by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview. Career Highs High School: Named team captain, first team Metropolitan Pass Attempts: 42, vs. Iowa, 9-1-07 Interscholastic Conference, first team Indianapolis Star Super Passing Completions: 26, vs. Iowa, 9-1-07 Team and 2005 Mr. Football Position Award (O-line), and first team Associated Press Class 5A All-State on 14-1 league and state Yards: 320, vs. Central Michigan, 11-5-05 champions as a senior. Graded 95 percent on blocking assignments Touchdowns: 2, seven times, last vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 and helped pave the way for state’s Mr. Football (QB Dexter Taylor) Long Gain: 92, at Central Michigan, 09-29-07 and offense that averaged nearly 500 yards per game his final niuhuskies.com 77 2008 huskies player profiles year. Named to Max Emfinger High School All-American Bowl Game Classic after senior campaign. Entered final prep season ranked fifth in preseason Midwest “Power 50”, and listed among “Next 100 81 Players to Watch” by The Sporting News and Rivals.com Midwest Top 150. First team All-MIC and first team All-State honoree on 13-2 state nathan championship team as a junior. Played center, guard and defensive tackle his during high school career. Four-year Honor Roll student. Recruited by Indiana, Marshall, Toledo, and Western Michigan. Palmer Personal: Born Dec. 22, 1987. Communication studies major. Son of WR | 5-11 | 185 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq Emmanuel and Sehila Onyebuagu. Fan of LeBron James. Elkhart, IN | Central 2007: Redshirted. 68 High School: A first team all-state choice as a senior after picking up honorable mention recognition his junior year. Named to the keith first team all-conference list as a senior and picked up second team honors in 2005. Listed as one of the top 50 5A players in Indiana. Earned Offensive Player of the Year honors. In his last two seasons, Otis totaled 85 catches for 1,302 yards and 17 touchdowns. Caught 51 OL | 6-4 | 295 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq passes for 676 yards and six TDs as a senior with 34 catches for 626 yards and nine scores in 2005. Had four pass deflections and Chicago, IL | Hubbard three interceptions as a defensive back his senior year. Holds Elkhart 2007: Redshirted. Central records for most receiving yards in a game (234) and longest touchdown reception (93). Three-year letterwinner. Also participated High School: Earned All-State honorable mention honors from the in track and basketball at the varsity level for two years. Chicago Tribune in 2006. Named to the All-City team by both the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune in 2006. A three-time Personal: Born April 14, 1989 in Elkhart, Ind. Son of Fern and Joe first team all-conference selection. Garnered honorable mention All- Palmer. Brother Jovone ran track at Vincennes University. Majoring Area recognition as a senior. Member of the Sun-Times’ Area Top in communication studies. Enjoys music and spending time with 100 list. Participated in the East versus West All-American game in children. Admires Kobe Bryant and Reggie Bush. Orlando. Credited with 182 pancake blocks in his career, including 87 as a senior. Team claimed the city championship and advanced to the second round of the playoffs in 2006 and was 31-11 in his three 20 years. Named to Chicago Tribune High School Scholar-Athlete Team. Honored as the Academic Scholar of the Class of 2007. Also lettered ricardo in basketball. Personal: Born April 14, 1989. Son of Coletta Jones and James Otis. Patton Majoring in business administration. Huskie Scholar earned a 3.0 GPA DB | 6-2 | 185 | So.-RS | 1Sq for the 2008 spring semester. Enjoys creative writing and poetry. Boulder, CO | Boulder/Morehouse 55 2007: Redshirted. Morehouse: Attended for one year after graduating from Boulder nolan High School. High School: Started at wide receiver and cornerback as a senior. Played in five games that season due to illness. Made two interceptions Owen and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Ran back a 98-yard kickoff DS | 5-10 | 210 | So. | 1L return for a touchdown in the state playoffs as a sophomore. Earned two letters in basketball and three in track. As a junior, qualified for Canyon Lake, CA | Temescal Canyon regionals in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. 2007: Appeared in all 12 games as a long snapper on the field goal/ Personal: Born Dec. 9, 1987 in Nashville, Tenn. Son of Jennifer Patton PAT and punt units. Snapped for every field goal, PAT and punt of the and NIU men’s basketball coach Ricardo Patton, Sr. Brother Michael year. One of 10 offensive players to play in all 12 games. plays for the Huskie basketball team. Huskie Scholar earned a 3.2 High School: Ranked as nation’s No. 6 long snapper in the class spring semester GPA. Enjoys playing video games. Finance major. of 2007. Also played offensive tackle during high school. Earned coaches “Titan Award” and was a California Intercholastic Federation All-League Academic honoree as a senior. Team’s Scout Player of 72 the Year recipient and named to C.I.F. All-League Academic squad as a junior. Team went 13-1, won conference championship and joe was a state finalist during his junior campaign. Member of back-to- back conference title teams during his sophomore and freshman seasons. Pawlak Personal: Born Feb. 15, 1989. Son of Laurie and David Owen. Huskie OL | 6-5 | 285 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq Scholar with a 3.0 spring semester GPA. Studying communication Grayslake, IL | Grayslake studies. Plays drums and enjoys singing. Played ice hockey for three years. Admires David Binn, the long snapper for the San Diego 2007: Redshirted. Chargers. National Honor Society member who was on the Honor Roll High School: Three-year letterwinner earned Daily Herald All-State all four years. honorable mention honors, and earned first team all-area and all-

78 niuhuskies.com 2008 huskies player profiles conference accolades as a senior. Holds school records for the bench, 400-meter relay champs, and qualified for state in 100 and 200 while squat and power clean. anchoring third-place 400-meter relay unit as a senior. Named second Personal: Born Nov. 28, 1988. Son of Nancey and Jeff Pawlak. Exercise team All-NIC outfielder in baseball as a junior. Two-time letterwinner science major wants to open a gym. Holds a 3.44 overall GPA. in football and baseball and earned one letter in track. Four-year Honor Roll student. Personal: Born April 15, 1986 in Fort Carson, Colo. General studies 5 major. Son of Teressa Perez. Enjoys music. marcus Perez’ career Statistics Receiving Year g/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm Perez 2004 12/3 10 166 16.6 0 44 13.8 WR | 6-0 | 180 | Sr.-RS | 2L 2006 12/9 30 406 13.5 5 42 36.6 Elkhart, IN | Central 2007 5/2 8 89 11.1 0 22 17.8 Career 29/14 48 661 13.7 5 44 22.8 2007: Suffered a shoulder injury and a foot injury that limited him to four games on the year. Started the Temple (10-6) and Western Passing Michigan (10-13) contests. Accumulated yards rushing, passing, Year G/GS C-A-I Pct. Yds. TD Lg Yds/Gm Effic. receiving, on punt returns and kickoff returns during the year. Finished 2004 12/3 1-1-0 100 61 1 61 5.1 942.4 the season with eight catches for 89 yards to average 11.1 yards per 2007 4/2 1-1-0 100 59 1 59 14.8 925.6 catch, returned six kickoffs for 125 yards to lead the team with a Career 28/14 2-2-0 100 120 2 61 4.3 934.0 20.8-yard average. His 13.5 punt return average on three punt returns for 47 yards also led the team. Carried three times on the reverse Returns for 40 yards. Totaled 295 all-purpose yards on the year to rank sixth Year Kick Yds. Avg. TD Lg Punt Yds. Avg. TD Lg on the team in just four games. Returned two kicks for 22 yards in 2006 17 321 18.9 0 41 9 86 9.6 0 41 season-opener vs. Iowa (9-1). Caught two passes for 16 yards and 2007 6 125 20.8 0 30 3 41 13.7 0 18 had one rush for 19 yards vs. Southern Illinois (9-2). At Temple (10-6), Career 23 446 19.3 0 41 12 127 106 0 41 totaled season-highs of five catches and 63 yards. Accumulated 168 all-purpose yards in that game. Completed a 59-yard touchdown pass Rushing to Matt Simon in the Western Michigan game (10-13). Also caught Year g/GS no. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm one pass for 10 yards, ran the ball once for seven yards, returned one 2004 12/3 1 3 3.0 0 3 0.2 kickoff for 30 yards and two punts for 23 total yards in that contest.. 2006 12/9 1 3 3.0 0 3 0.2 2006: Made nine starts and played in 12 games. Led team with 2007 4/2 3 40 13.3 0 19 10.0 five touchdown receptions and was second with 30 catches for 406 Career 28/14 5 46 9.2 0 19 1.6 yards. Posted team-best 18.9 kickoff return average, totaling 321 yards on 17 attempts. and returned nine punts for 86 yards for a 9.6 All-Purpose yard average. Totaled 816 all-purpose yards, third-best on the team. Year g/GS rush rec. Pr kor ir tot yds/Gm Long reception was 42 yards against Miami and long kickoff and punt 2004 12/3 3 166 0 0 0 169 14.1 returns were 41 yards against Ohio and Indiana State, respectively. 2006 12/9 3 406 86 321 0 816 69.0 Caught four passes for 87 yards, including 14-yard touchdown 2007 4/2 40 89 41 125 0 295 59.0 reception, and totaled four kickoff returns for 97 yards, including a Career 28/14 46 661 127 446 0 1280 45.7 41-yarder, vs. Ohio (9-9). Hauled in a career-high six grabs for 91 yards with a five-yard TD catch vs. Buffalo (9-16). Had a 16-yard touchdown Career Highs reception and totaled five catches for 56 yards at Ball State (9-30). Catches: 6, vs. Buffalo, 9-16-06 Made two catches for 55 yards, including a 42-yarder, at Miami (10-8). Receiving Yards: 168, at Temple, 10-6-07 Caught “highlight reel” nine-yard touchdown pass that was ESPN Touchdowns: 1, six times, last (passing) vs. Western Michigan, 10-13-07 SportsCenter’s “Play of the Day” against Toledo (11-7). Totaled four Long Reception: 44, vs. Southern Illinois, 9-11-04 receptions for 54 yards and a 17-yard touchdown catch at Eastern Long Kick Return: 41, vs. Ohio, 9-9-06 Michigan (11-24). Starter at wide receiver and returned three kickoffs Long Punt Return: 41, vs. Indiana State, 9-23-06 in Poinsettia Bowl vs. TCU (12-19). 2005: Redshirted. 2004: Played in all 12 games with three starts. Returned seven 98 kickoff for 145 yards and totaled 10 receptions for 166 yards. Recorded one rush for three yards and completed one pass attempt. d.j. Had a 13-yard reception in his collegiate debut vs. Maryland (9-4). Hauled in three passes for 61 yards and completed a 61-yard pass vs. Pirkle Southern Illinois (9-11). Caught two passes for 48 yards vs. Iowa State (9-18). Returned three kickoffs for 73 yards, including 36-yard effort, DL | 6-0 | 270 | So. | 1L vs. Western Michigan (10-23). Totaled two receptions for 31 yards vs. Frankfort, IL | Lincoln Way East Troy in the Silicon Valley Football Classic (12-30). High School: Selected team captain and MVP, first team All-Northern 2007: Played six games as a reserve defensive tackle as a true Indiana Conference, first team Elkhart Truth All-Area, and first team freshman. Ranked fourth among defensive linemen with 13 tackles All-Region on Class 5A state playoff qualifier as a senior. Led team and ranked second on the team with three sacks, despite seeing with 40 receptions for 804 yards (20.1 avg.) and set school-record limited action due to injury. Made his collegiate debut at Idaho (9-22), with 11 TD catches during his final prep season. Named team Most where he made two stops and had one pass break-up. Credited with Valuable Runner in track and won the 100 (10.8 seconds) and two sacks and three tackles at Temple (10-6). Had four stops with 200-meter (21.8 seconds) league dash crowns, anchored sectional one tackle-for-loss and one fumble recovered vs. Western Michigan niuhuskies.com 79 2008 huskies player profiles

(10-13). Made one tackle for loss in the win over Kent State (11-10). Had two tackles vs. Ball State (9-24) and one at Navy (11-17). High School: Garnered first team all-state honors from the Chicago 24 Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, the Champaign News-Gazette, the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and Rivals.com as a senior. bradley Named Illinois Defensive Player of the Year by the Joliet Herald News and Star Newspapers. Earned first team all-area honors from Star Pruitt Newspapers (2005, 2006), Joliet Herald News (2005, 2006), Chicago Tribune (2006), Chicago Sun-Times (2006), Daily Southtown (2006), DB | 6-1 | 200 | Sr. | 3L and NCSA Prep Football (2006). Member of the Sun-Times’ Area Top Chicago, IL | Hyde Park 100 list. In three years, made 183 tackles and tallied 17 sacks, 42 tackles for loss, seven fumbles caused, one fumble recovery, Will play cornerback in 2008 after shifting between corner and safety one interception, and three blocked kicks. Rushed for 67 yards on a year ago. Chosen to Phil Steele’s All-MAC fourth team. 31 carries, scored 20 rushing touchdowns and had one receiving 2007: Started 11 games, and appeared in all 12 while playing both touchdown. His senior season, credited with 75 tackles, 41 solo, and cornerback and safety. One of only 10 defensive players to play in all tallied eight sacks. Also scored seven TDs on 13 carries. Helped lead 12 games in 2007. Seven of his 11 starts were at the free safety spot. Lincoln Way East to a 44-1 (28-0 in conference play) record in his Ranked second on the team with 92 tackles, including 47 solo stops. career, including a win in the 8A IHSA State Championship game as Made four tackles for loss and registered a sack versus Western a junior and four straight league titles. Two-time team captain. Holds Michigan (10-13). Led the Huskies with 11 tackles vs. Southern Lincoln Way East records for bench, squat, and career tackles for loss Illinois (9-8), one of three double-figure tackle games. Added a nine- (42). yard tackle for loss in that game. Recorded his lone interception of Personal: Born Nov. 21, 1988. Son of Linda and Doug Zalesky. Enjoys the season at Idaho (9-22). Totaled nine tackles, six solo, at Temple weight lifting, music and playing guitar. Admires Brendon Ayanbadejo, (10-6). Tallied eight stops at Wisconsin (10-20). Made nine tackles, linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. Exercise science major. including seven solo, and had one pass break-up at Toledo (10-17). Led the team in tackles in two of the last three games of the season, Pirkle’s career Statistics tallying a career-high 12 vs. Kent State (11-10) and 10 vs. Ball State (10-24). Had a tackle for loss in each of the last three games and Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU broke up a pass in the Ball State game. 2007 6/3 11 2 13 4-37 3-35 0/1 0/1

Career Highs “Teammates are people I can depend on. My brothers Tackles: 4, vs. Western Michigan, 10-13-07 who I can look to for assistance when I’m down and TFLs: 2,at Temple, 10-6-07 out.” Sack: 2, at Temple, 10-6-07 - Bradley Pruitt 2006: Started 10 of 12 games played at strong safety and cornerback. 22 Made 49 tackles, with 24 solo and three for loss, along with three pass david break ups and one fumble recovery. Totaled six tackles, one for loss, at Ohio State (9-2). Made first start and had three stops vs. Buffalo (9-16). Racked up seven tackles vs. Indiana State (9-23). Totaled six Pratt stops at Ball State (9-30). Registered four tackles and fumble recovery DB | 6-1 | 205 | Jr.-RS | 1Sq at Iowa (10-28). Had four stops vs. Toledo (11-7). Totaled two stops, including one for loss, vs. Central Michigan (11-17). Credited with a Macomb, IL | Macomb pass break up and two stops at Eastern Michigan (11-24). Recorded seven tackles, five solo, vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). 2007: Redshirted. 2005: Played in 12 games on defense and special teams. Totaled 11 High School: Team MVP earned Peoria Journal-Star All-Area honors tackles including 10 solo and one for loss. Appeared on 24 defensive as a senior. Helped the Bombers to an 8-0 record and Olympic plays against Tennessee Tech (9-17). Recorded three tackles, including Conference title as a running back and outside linebacker. Team one for loss, at Kent State (10-22). Totaled two solo stops at Central advanced to the second round of the IHSA 4A playoffs. Gained Michigan (11-5). Registered two tackles at Toledo (11-16). Had three 1,031 yards with 19 touchdowns in his final prep season. Earned all- solo stops against Western Michigan (11-23). conference notice as a junior after rushing for 983 yards and scoring 21 touchdowns. Football team totaled a 25-3 record in his four years. High School: Selected team captain and Most Valuable Player, first Received four letters as a member of the Bomber wrestling team. team Chicago Public League All-Section, plus first team Chicago On the mat, garnered all-conference honors three times and all-state Sun-Times All-Public League and special mention all-area at DB as accolades as a sophomore. Named his team’s most valuable wrestler a senior. Produced 75 tackles and three interceptions at DB and as a junior and a senior. made 25 receptions for 400 yards (16.0 avg.) with four TDs at WR during senior campaign. Tied Public League record with 100-yard Personal: Born Sept. 23, 1986 in Macomb, Ill. Son of Lissa Cullen and interception return during final season after entering year on Robert Pratt. Father played football at Monmouth College. Brother preseason Chicago Sun-Times Public League All-Defensive squad Bryan ran track at Illinois from 2002-07, and brother Ben ran track for and Top 100 Area Players list, plus Chicago Tribune league Players Illinois State. Victory Scholar achieved a 3.73 GPA in the 2008 spring to Watch list. Two-time all-section standout and team captain over semester. Exercise science major enjoys fishing and admires Brian final two prep seasons. Defensive MVP with 125 tackles and was first Urlacher, Cael Sanderson and mixed-martial artist Wanderlei Silva. team all-section on conference and division champion as a junior. Three time football letterwinner. Honor roll student. Personal: Born March 15, 1987. General studies major. Parents are Carl and Carolyn Pruitt. Lists as a hobby.

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Pruitt’s career Statistics team Chicago Tribune All-State, and first team IHSFCA Class 7A All- State as a senior. Listed as No. 1 area DB by Chicago Tribune prior to Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU senior campaign. Recorded 95 tackles, five fumble recoveries, four 2005 12/0 10 1 11 1-2 0-0 0/1 0/0 interceptions, and two blocked kicks on 12-1 section champion and state Class 7A playoff semifinalist in final prep season. Recovered 2006 12/10 24 25 49 3-4 0-0 0/1 0/3 errant punt snap for TD in 2004 quarterfinals vs. O’Fallon. Earned 2007 12/11 47 45 92 4-21 0-0 0/0 1/0 first team all-section honors and made 124 stops, five interceptions, Career 36/21 81 104 152 8-27 0-0 0/2 1/3 two sacks, and two fumble recoveries on team that went 10-2, won league title and was state quarterfinalist during his junior year. Voted Career Highs team Special Teams MVP as a sophomore and team Rookie of the Tackles: 12, vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 Year as a freshman. Four-time football letterwinner and earned two TFLs: 1, three times, last vs. Central Michigan, 11-17-06 letters in track. INTs: 1, at Idaho, 9-22-07 Personal: Born December 13, 1986. Sociology/criminology major. Son of Melvin Rice and Sherrell Harris. Huskie Scholar earned a 3.15 2 spring semester GPA. Admirer of Ray Lewis and Muhammad Ali. melvin Rice’s career Statistics Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU 2005 12/0 7 8 15 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/3 Rice 2006 13/7 29 18 47 2-6 0-0 0/0 2/3 CB | 5-11 | 195 | Sr. | 3L 2007 8/8 31 30 61 3.5-7 0-0 0/0 0/6 Chicago, IL | Morgan Park Career 33/15 67 56 123 5.5-13 0-0 0/0 2/12 Two-year starter at cornerback. Leads all NIU defenders with 12 Career Highs career pass break-ups and has 123 career tackles, 67 solo. Tackles: 12, at Temple, 10-06-07 2007: Started at cornerback in all eight games in which he played. TFLs: 1.5, twice, last at Central Michigan, 9-29-07 Tied for the team lead in pass break-ups with six. Ranked sixth on the Interceptions: 1, twice, last vs. Central Michigan, 11-17-06 team with a career-best 61 tackles and contributed 3.5 tackles for loss. Made 31 solo stops and totaled 61 tackles. Had seven or more tackles in each of his last four games and averaged over seven tackles 99 per game on the year. Tallied 10 stops vs. Iowa (9-1). Recorded seven tackles, including 1.5 for loss with two pass break-ups vs. Southern craig Illinois (9-8). Registered five tackles and deflected a pass vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15). Recorded four tackles and a pass break-up at Idaho (9-22) as he had at least one PBU in three straight September games. Rusch Credited with seven tackles, 1.5 for loss, at Central Michigan (9-29). DT | 6-4 | 265 | Sr.-RS | 2L Set a career-high with 12 tackles and broke up a pass at Temple (10-6). Totaled seven tackles and a pass break-up vs. Kent State Hilbert, WI | Hilbert (11-10). Made nine stops at Navy (11-17). Enters the year with 98 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. 2006: Played in all 13 games and made seven starts at cornerback, Also has six pass deflections and three fumble recoveries. including the Poinsettia Bowl. Totaled 47 tackles with two tackles for 2007: Suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the Eastern loss. Tied for team-high honors with two interceptions and recorded Michigan game (9-15). Started the first three games at defensive three pass break ups. Returned one kickoff for 18 yards vs. Iowa. tackle. Began the season with a strong performance with six tackles, Made first start and totaled six tackles vs. Buffalo (9-16). Credited five solo, vs. Iowa (9-1). Has a six-yard tackle-for-loss in that contest. with six stops vs. Indiana State (9-23). Tallied four solo tackles Totaled four tackles vs. Southern Illinois (9-8) at Miami (10-8). Recorded five tackles, including one for loss, at Western Michigan (10-14). Intercepted pass and had three tackles 2006: Started seven of 11 games played. Second on team with 14 against Temple (10-21). Registered five tackles with an interception tackles for loss and six sacks. Led team with four forced fumbles, vs. Central Michigan (11-17). Racked up career-high seven tackles, ranked second among linemen with 49 tackles and had one fumble one for loss, and was credited with a pass break up vs. TCU in the recovery. Tied for fifth in MAC and tied for 37th nationally with 1.5 Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). tackles for loss per game. Placed ninth in the MAC with 0.55 sacks per game. Had at least one tackle for loss or sack in 11 consecutive 2005: Appeared in 12 games on defense and special teams. Recorded games. Registered a sack in each of first three games played. Totaled 15 tackles, including eight solo stops. Made collegiate debut and five tackles and one sack in season debut vs. Indiana State (9-23). had a tackle at Michigan (9-3). Credited with pass break up against Collected a sack and two total tackles at Ball State (9-30). Racked up Tennessee Tech (9-17). Totaled four tackles and a pass break up at 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and four stops at Miami (10-8). Had a Akron (9-23). Had two tackles vs. Ball State (10-29). Registered two tackle for loss and a pass break up in nine-tackle outing at Western tackles and one pass break up at Central Michigan (11-5). Michigan (10-14). Recovered fumble and had a tackle for loss vs. High School: Unanimous all-state selection as a senior. Ranked No. Temple (10-21). Registered eight tackles, including 1.5 for loss, at 41 corner by Rivals.com, No. 46 in Midwest Top 100 by The Sporting Iowa (10-28). Broke up two passes with four tackles and 1.5 TFLs vs. News, and No. 90 in Midwest Hot 100 by Scout.com. Named team Toledo (11-7). Had a sack and a TFL in five-tackle outing vs. Central captain and Most Valuable DB, first team Chicago Public League All- Michigan (11-17). Racked up eight tackles, including one for loss and Section, first teamChicago Sun-Times All-Public League, first team All- a sack, at Eastern Michigan (11-24). Credited with four tackles, two Area, and first team (Large School) All-State, honorable mentionDaily for loss with one sack, vs. TCU in Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). Southtown All-Area, first team Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report 2005: Thirdt team Freshman All-American by CollegeFootballNews. All-Area, special mention Champaign News-Gazette All-State, second com. Started four of seven games played. Tied for team lead with five niuhuskies.com 81 2008 huskies player profiles sacks and ranked second with six tackles for loss. Totaled 39 tackles, region honors from D2Football.com. Holds the Winona State records three pass break ups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. for most field goals in a season, most field goals in a game and most Had pass deflection, quarterback pressure and totaled two tackles extra points made in a row. against Tennessee Tech (9-17). Racked up seven tackles, one sack, High School: Consensus all-area kicker as a senior earned Associated one forced fumble, one quarterback pressure, and one pass deflection Press and Chicago Tribune all-state accolades. Helped his team to an in his first collegiate start vs. Eastern Michigan (10-14). Tied for team eighth place finish in the state as a senior. Made 9-of-12 field goals lead with nine tackles and was credited with quarterback hurry in start and 28-of-30 extra points his senior season, while averaging 41 yards at Kent State (10-22). Recorded five tackles, one sack, and recovered per punt. Hit 9-of-9 field goals and 12-of-13 extra points as a junior. fumble in start against Ball State (10-29). Collected a career-best 11 Received all-conference second team notice as a junior. tackles with one sack, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble and Personal: Born Dec. 21, 1986 in Orland Park, Ill. Son of Rose and Mike one pass deflection at Central Michigan (11-5). Had a 10-yard sack Salerno. Enjoys cards and outdoor activities. Majoring in biological and totaled three tackles vs. Akron in the MAC title game (12-1). sciences. 2004: Redshirted. High School: Recorded 189 career tackles and 24 QB sacks as defensive tackle and end, and blocked for state’s all-time leading 9 rusher as offensive tackle. Selected team captain, first team Olympian Conference on offense and defense, league Co-Defensive Player matt of the Year, first team Appleton Post-Crescent All-Area on offense and defense, and first team Milwaukee Journal Sentinel All-State on defense and honorable mention all-state on offense as a senior. Schiffler Totaled 72 tackles and a school-record 15 sacks on 12-1 conference TB | 5-10 | 205 | Jr.-RS | 3Sq champion and Division 7 playoff semifinalist during senior season. Named first team all-conference with 62 tackles and six sacks on LaGrange Park, IL | Nazareth Academy 12-2 league and state Division 6 runner-up as a junior. Recorded 2007: Appeared in three games as a member of the kickoff and punt 55 tackles for 13-1 league champion and state runner-up as a return teams. Saw action against Toledo (10-27), Navy (11-17) and in sophomore. Three-time football letterwinner and earned four letters the win over Kent State (11-10). in track and two in basketball. State Division 3 runner-up in both shot 2006: Saw action in one game. Made collegiate debut and carried put and discus during final prep season. Placed fourth in Division 3 five times with a long rush of four yards vs. Indiana State (9-23). discus as junior. Reserve on Division 3 state basketball semifinalist as junior. Honor Roll student and National Honor Society member. High School: Team Captain and MVP, first team All-East Suburban Catholic Conference and first team all-area as a senior. Rushed Personal: Born Dec. 19, 1985 in Neenah, Wisc. Mechanical for 710 yards on 115 carries with eight touchdowns, and had 34 engineering major. Son of Paul and Cathy Rusch. Enjoys boating, receptions for 315 yards and three scores at running back, and totaled carpentry and cars. Victory scholar earned a 4.0 GPA last spring. 25 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks, two forced fumbles, two Rusch’s career Statistics recovered fumbles and two blocked kicks at safety during his senior campaign. First team all-conference and first team all-area after Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU posting 95 tackles and rushing for 135 yards with five touchdowns 2005 7/0 18 21 39 6-37 5-36 2/2 0/3 and totaling five receptions for 90 yards and one TD as a junior. 2006 10/7 17 32 49 14-37 6-26 0/1 0/3 Recorded 70 tackles as a sophomore. Earned three letters in both 2007 3/3 6 4 10 1-6 0-0 0/0 0/0 football and baseball. Career 20/10 41 57 98 21-80 11-62 2/3 0/6 Personal: Born Oct. 21, 1986. Communication studies major. Parents are Lawrence and Sheila Schiffler. Father played hockey at St. Mary’s Career Highs University. Aspires to own a business. Admirer of Walter Payton. Tackles: 11, vs. Central Michigan, 11-5-05 TFLs: 2, vs. TCU (Poinsettia Bowl), 12-19-06 Sacks: 1, 11 times, last vs. TCU (Poinsettia Bowl), 12-19-06 29 pat 11 Schiller mike LB | 6-2 | 225 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq Salerno Geneva, IL | Geneva K/P | 5-11 | 165 | Jr.-RS | 1Sq 2007: Redshirted. High School: Named to the first team all-state squad as a senior. Orland Park, IL | Sandburg | Winona State Two-time first team all-conference and all-area selection. Totaled 190 2007: Redshirted. tackles, eight sacks, six forced fumbles, six pass deflections, and two blocked kicks in two-plus years on varsity. Also played running back Before NIU: Played for Winona State from 2005-06 year. Made and ran for 1,169 yards and 25 touchdowns with four touchdown 79-of-81 extra points over his career. Made 24-of-36 career field catches. As a senior, ran 65 times for 487 yards and 12 scores. goals. Member of the Daktronics All-Northwest Region Second Team Led the Vikings to an 11-2 record in 2006, when he served as team and Don Hansen’s Football Gazette Northwest Region First Team as captain. Member of the 2004 state semifinalist squad at Geneva and a freshman. Earned Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first his team won Western Sun league titles in 2004, 2005 and 2006. team accolades as a kicker and punter. Received notice as a first team Northwest Region punter and second team Northwest Region Personal: Born Nov. 2, 1988. Son of Catherine and Patrick Schiller. kicker from Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. Earned first team all- Enjoys boxing, music and art. Exercise science major. Lifelong Huskie fan and Huskie Scholar with a 3.4 semester GPA.

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vs. Toledo (11-7). Made four receptions for 39 yards and recorded a 40-yard punt return in start vs. Central Michigan (11-17). Caught one 85 pass at Eastern Michigan (11-24). Caught a 62-yard strike vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). matt 2005: Missed the season due to injury and redshirted. 2004: Played in eight games and saw time on both offense and Simon defense. One of three true freshmen to letter. Credited with two WR | 6-2 | 210 | Sr.-RS | 3L tackles on the season. Made collegiate debut in 36-play effort vs. Maryland (9-4). Recorded tackle at Western Michigan (10-23). Had Farmington, MN | Farmington tackle at Eastern Michigan (11-20). Member of Head Coach Jerry Kill’s Leadership Council. Underwent High School: Named first team all-state on gridiron and first team shoulder surgery following the 2007 season and did not participate Academic All-State in classroom as a senior. Selected team captain in spring drills. Has caught at least one pass in 17 consecutive games and MVP, first teamSt. Paul Pioneer Press All-Area and All-State, first dating back to 2006, which ties for the 15th longest streak in the team Minneapolis Star Tribune All-Metro and first team Minnesota nation entering 2008. Career totals include 1,283 receiving yards on Football Coaches Association All-State, and first team All-Missota 72 catches for an average of 17.8 yards per catch. Conference, during his senior season. Caught 52 passes for 1,000 yards (19.3 avg.) and 13 TDs and rushed six times for 108 yards, 2007: Recorded the sixth-highest single-season yardage total in NIU including an 89-yard carry, as a wide receiver. Notched 55 tackles, history with 969 receiving yards, narrowly missing the 1,000-yard eight deflections, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one threshold. Named to the All-MAC second team by Phil Steele interception at strong safety for 11-2 league champion and Class 4A Magazine and was an Academic All-MAC selection. Ranked sixth in semifinalist during his final prep season. First team All-Conference the conference and 32nd nationally with 80.75 receiving yards per with 13 receptions for 313 yards (24.1 avg.) and six TDs, including game. Led NIU in receptions (52) and receiving yards (969) and an 81-yard catch, on 9-1 playoff qualifier as a junior. Earned three ranked second in all-purpose yards per game (92.7). Topped the letters in football while adding four in basketball and two in baseball. 100-yard receiving mark four times and caught a pass in every game All-conference basketball selection as a guard. Was a pitcher on the during the season. Hauled in the seventh-longest NCAA FBS pass of baseball team. National Honor Society member. the year, 92 yards, from Dan Nicholson at Central Michigan (9-29). Accounted for 40 percent of the Huskies’ season passing yardage. Personal: Born Dec. 4, 1985 in Edina, Minn. Management major. On the receiving end of the five longest pass plays of the season, Made 3.0 cumulative GPA list following 2008 Sspring semester. with two 59-yard catches (versus Idaho, Western Michigan), a 50-yard Earned his bachelor’s degree in management in May and has begun catch and run (Kent State), and a 46-yard effort at Navy to go with work on his master’s. Son of Sue Simon. Fan of Randy Moss. the 92-yarder. Broke the school record (previously held by NFL-er Simon’s career Statistics Justin McCareins) for most receiving yards by a junior. Started 11 of 12 games played, and made four or more grabs in eight contests. Receiving Hauled in nine passes for 205 yards to notch the sixth 200-yard Year g/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm receiving game in school history at Central Michigan (9-29). His 2004 8/0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 92-yard score in that game was the fourth-longest in school history. 2006 13/4 20 314 15.7 1 62 24.2 Totaled a season-high 216 all-purpose yards in that contest. Caught 2007 12/8 52 969 18.6 5 92 80.7 five passes for 50 yards and returned one kickoff for 20 yards vs. Career 33/12 72 1283 17.8 6 92 38.9 Eastern Michigan (9-15). Recorded his first 100-yard receiving game with 115 yards on just four catches versus Idaho (9-22). Scored on a Career Highs 59-yard catch and blocked a punt that was recovered for a touchdown versus the Vandals. Totaled 1,112 all-purpose yards on the year, with Catches: 9, at Central Michigan, 9-29-07 four kickoff returns for 42 yards and eight punt returns for 84 yards. Yards: 205, at Central Michigan, 9-29-07 His 18.6 yards per catch average led the team by more than six yards. Touchdowns: 2, at Navy, 11-17-07 His five touchdowns ranked second on the team and gave him six for Long Gain: 92, at Central Michigan, 9-29-07 his career. Topped the 100-yard mark with six catches for 160 yards, Long Punt Return: 40, vs. Central Michigan, 11-17-06 including a 59-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Marcus Perez, vs. Western Michigan (10-13). Totaled four receptions for 86 yards with a 38-yard catch at Wisconsin (10-20). Caught four passes for 96 yards, with a long of 50 yards, and added a 19-yard punt return and 34 one rush for 12 yards vs. Kent State (11-10). Also attempted a pass in that game. Hauled in a pair of touchdown passes of 46 and 24 yards kyle while racking up 100 yards receiving on five catches at Navy (11-17). Made seven catches for 86 yards vs. Ball State (11-24). Five of his Skarb eight punt returns came in the last three games of the season. FB | 6-2 | 220 | So. | 1L 2006: Saw action in all 13 games, making four starts, including the bowl game. Team’s third-leading receiver among wideouts with Hawthorn Woods, IL | Lake Zurich 20 catches for 314 yards and one touchdown. Averaged 15.7 yards Moved to fullback during the spring. per catch, best among regulars. Returned two punts for 41 yards, including a 40-yarder. Had first collegiate reception as part of two- 2007: Appeared in eight games, primarily on the punt and kickoff catch, 32-yard game vs. Ohio (9-9). Caught one pass for 11 yards coverage units. Totaled four tackles and forced one fumble. Missed vs. Buffalo (9-16). Had reception vs. Indiana State (9-23) and at Ball two games after suffering an ankle injury at Wisconsin (10-20). Made State (9-30). Made first collegiate start and hauled in two passes his collegiate debut vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15). Recorded two tackles for 44 yards at Miami (10-8). Racked up 85 receiving yards on five in that game and made one stop at Idaho (9-22). Had one tackle at catches, including a 37-yarder for his first touchdown, in start vs. Temple (9-1). Forced a fumble in the third quarter of that game. Temple (10-21). Had one catch in reserve role at Iowa (10-28) and High School: A second team All-State selection in 2006. Earned first niuhuskies.com 83 2008 huskies player profiles team all-conference honors as a senior and second team acclaim his junior year. Selected to the Daily Herald’s first team all-area squad in 2006. Credited with 109 career tackles, 11 sacks, four 35 fumbles caused, four fumbles recovered, and two pass deflections with a season-high 63 stops and six sacks as a junior. As a running alan back, gained 1,322 career yards on 175 carries, scored 24 rushing touchdowns, and added two receiving TDs on four catches in 2006. His senior season, rushed for 810 yards on 102 carries with 14 scores. Smith Set Lake Zurich records for career punt return and kickoff return RB | 5-10 | 200 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq averages at 22.4 and 35.5, respectively. Led Lake Zurich to a 12-2 record and the State Championship game in 2006 when he served as Naperville, IL | Neuqua Valley team captain and was named team MVP. Three-year letterwinner in 2007: Redshirted. football who also lettered in basketball and track. High School: A second team all-state running back as a junior who Personal: Born Feb. 10, 1989 in Chicago. Son of Lori and Jim Skarb. missed most of his senior season due to injury. Also earned first Intends to major in business management. On the 3.0 cumulative team all-conference and all-area honors in 2005. Picked up second GPA list. Enjoys reading and working on cars. Admires Adrian Peterson team all-conference recognition his senior season. Named Upstate and Brian Urlacher. Eight Conference Offensive MVP in 2005. Member of the Sun-Times’ Area Top 100 list. Gained 1,402 rushing yards with 19 touchdowns in 11 games as a junior. Averaged over seven yards per carry. Ranks 59 second on the Neuqua Valley all-time rushing list with 2,007 career yards. Team won three straight league titles during his tenure. Three- kevin year letterwinner in football who also lettered in track and field. Personal: Born Nov. 17, 1988. Son of Natalie and Alvin Smith. Victory Skatrud Scholar earned a perfect 4.0 GPA in the 2008 spring semester. Cousin Shane Battier currently plays in the NBA for the Houston OT | 6-7 | 315 | Jr.-RS | 2L Rockets. Cousin Demetrius Smith played on the University of Miami’s Brodhead, WI | Brodhead-Juda 2001 national champion football. Brother Alvin Jr. played football and captained the track and field team at Olivet Nazarene. Father Alvin 2007: Appeared in 11 games at guard for the Huskies, missing Sr. ran track and football at North Central and his mother graduated only the SIU contest. Entered the starting line-up at left guard in the from NIU. Admires Walter Payton. Central Michigan (9-29) game and remained there for the rest of the season. Graded out at 70.5 percent for the year. Registered a season- high mark of 78 percent at Toledo (10-27). Recorded a 77 percent 38 rating in NIU’s win over Kent State (11-10). Recorded a grade of over 70 percent in five match-ups (Central Michigan, Temple, Toledo, Kent mike State, Navy). Solidified the offensive line and helped Justin Anderson post the ninth-straight 1,000 yard rushing season by a Huskie tailback. NIU were sacked just 21 times on 399 passing Sobol attempts. SS | 6-0 | 195 | So.-RS | 2Sq 2006: Played in eight games as a reserve on the offensive line. Made collegiate debut at Ohio State (9-2). Saw time against Indiana Pevely, MO | Herculaneum State (9-23). Played in four consecutive games at Western Michigan 2007: Suffered a knee injury during 2007 spring drills and sat out the (10-14), vs. Temple (10-21), at Iowa (9-28), and against Toledo (11-7). season while rehabilitating the injury. Appeared in regular season finale at Eastern Michigan (11-24) and vs. 2006: Redshirted. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). High School: Named team captain and MVP, first team Mississippi 2005: Redshirted. Area Football Conference All-White Division at linebacker and High School: Named team captain and offensive line award quarterback, honorable mention St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro recipient, first team All-Rock Valley Conference at offensive tackle on defense, and first team Missouri Sportswriters & Sportscasters and defensive tackle, first teamBeloit Daily News All-Area, first team Association Class 3A All-State on defense as a senior. Ranked No. Wisconsin State Journal All-Area, second team Milwaukee Journal 19 among St. Louis Post-Dispatch “Super 30” Metro area recruits Sentinel All-State, second team Associated Press All-State, and first in 2006. Totaled 2,214 yards of total offense while completing team Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-State as a senior. 115-of-170 passes for 1,534 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushing Credited with 65 tackles, four QB sacks, four deflections, and two for 680 yards and 11 TDs on 102 carries as a quarterback. Totaled blocked kicks on defense for 9-4 state Division 4 semifinalist during 60 tackles on 7-4 district champion and state playoff qualifier during his senior year. Selected for WFCA Shrine Bowl following his senior his senior campaign. Voted team and league MVP, first team MAFC campaign. First Team All-RVC and first team Beloit Daily News All- All-White Division at quarterback and defensive back, and second Area on 11-3 conference champion and state runner-up squad as a team MSSA Class 3A All-State on defense on 9-2 district champion junior. Earned three letters in football, basketball, and track. Team and state playoff participant as a junior. First team MAFC All-White basketball MVP and Honorable Mention all-conference as a junior. Division on 10-1 district winner and state playoff qualifier his Honor Roll student. sophomore year. Four-time football and wrestling letterwinner and Personal: Born Feb. 1, 1987 in Monroe, Wisc. Sociology/criminology lettered three times in track. Four-time state qualifier in wrestling major. Son of Jeffrey and Lynn Skatrud. Huskie Scholar earned a 3.0 and two-time state placer, earning third as both a sophomore and GPA in the 2008 spring semester.Hobbies include four wheeling, junior. Named Missouri Officials Association Outstanding Freshman fishing, and hunting. Ray Lewis fan. Wrestler and repeated as Outstanding Sophomore. Won two district titles in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles and finished fifth in state as a junior while qualifying twice on 4 x 400 meter relay unit.

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Personal: Born Jan. 19, 1988. Son of Mark and Judy Sobol. General Spann’s career Statistics studies major. Father, Mark Sobol, was a four-year defensive tackle letterwinner at Northeast Missouri State (now Truman State) from Year g/GS no. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm 1975-78, earned Honorable Mention Little All-America in 1978 2007 10/0 11 61 5.5 0 14 6.1 and was selected to the school’s All-Century Team in 2000. Mother, Judy Sobol, played at Truman State. Older brother, Jeff, was a Career Highs defensive lineman at Illinois. Enjoys music and being in the outdoors. Rushing Attempts: 6, vs. Southern Illinois, 9-8-07 Admires Lance Armstrong. Rushing Yards: 32, vs. Southern Illinois, 9-8-07 Long Run: 14, vs. Eastern Michigan, 9-15-07 39 justin Stewart FS | 6-1 | 195 | So.-RS | 1L O’Fallon, IL | Township “It’s a rich tradition here. I came here under a great coach 2007: Appeared in 11 games as a reserve free safety and member of Novak, and now under coach Kill. They have a strong winning the punt coverage unit. Credited with two tackles and was in on one tradition between them.” - Chad Spann tackle for loss vs. Ball State (11-24). Made one stop in the win over Kent State (11-10). Elected to the 2007 Academic All-MAC squad by the league’s faculty athletic representatives. 28 2006: Redshirted. High School: Named team captain and Most Valuable Player, first chad team All-Southwestern Conference, first teamSt. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro as a defensive back, first team IFCA Academic All-State, and honorable mention IFCA Class 7A All-State as a senior. Ranked Spann No. 9 prospect among St. Louis Post-Dispatch “Super 30” during his RB | 5-9 | 195 | So. | 1L senior season. Totaled 125 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery at free safety and connected on 18-of-66 passes for 257 Indianapolis, IN | North Central yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 412 yards and three TDs as quarterback for Class 7A playoff qualifier during his senior 2007: Appeared in 10 games as a reserve tailback. Missed the final year. Selected team Most Valuable Offensive Player, first team All- two games of the season after suffering a knee injury in the win over SWC on defense and on offense, and Academic All-State as a junior. Kent State (11-10). Carried the ball 11 times for 61 yards on the Led team in rushing with 1,264 yards on 159 carries (7.9 avg.) and 17 year to rank fourth among running backs. Rushed for a season-high touchdowns for 11-1 conference champion and state quarterfinalist 32 yards on six tries vs. Southern Illinois (9-8). Totaled 23 yards on during his junior campaign. Third team all-conference defensive three attempts vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15), including a season-long back on 8-3 playoff qualifier as a sophomore. Three-time football 14-yard burst. Had two carries for six yards at Idaho (9-22). Performed and basketball letterwinner and lettered twice in track. Averaged 11 on special teams, where he recorded five tackles and was in on a points and four rebounds per game during his final prep basketball tackle for loss. Credited with three stops in his collegiate debut vs. season. Set school record in triple jump with mark of 45-11 1/2 as Iowa (9-1). Came to NIU as a walk-on and earned a scholarship. a junior. National Honor Society member and Student Council vice High School: A first team all-state selection as a senior after earning president. second team honors his junior year. Named to the Bloomington Personal: Born Dec. 22, 1987 in St. Louis. Accountacy major. Is Herald Top 33 All-State team and the Indiana Football Coaches participating in accounting firm KPMG’s Future Diversity Leaders Association Top 50 All-State team after his senior season. A first Program, which provides him with mentoring and internship team all-area and all-conference choice as a senior and was a second opportunities. Made 3.0 cumulative GPA list following 2008 Spring team all-conference selection his junior year. Set school records with semester. Son of Michael and Barbara Stewart. Hobbies include 1,935 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns while averaging 8.8 yards collecting cards and reading. Admires Michael Jordan. per carry during his senior season. Owns school career record for rushing touchdowns with 34 and totaled 3,522 rushing yards during stewart’s career Statistics his high school career. Set school marks for most rushing yards in a game (318) and most touchdowns in a game (5) during his senior Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU year. Selected as captain and MVP for the Indiana South All-Star 2007 11/0 0 3 3 0.5-1 0-0 0/0 0/0 team. Totaled 1,187 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior and rushed for 400 yards as a sophomore. Also competed in track Career Highs and set a school record for the indoor long jump with a mark of 22.8 Tackles: 2, vs. Ball State, 11-24-07 ft. A three-time state qualifier in the long jump and qualified for the TFLs: 0.5, vs. Ball State, 11-24-07 outdoor 200m as a senior. Earned track team’s MVP and top scorer honors during his senior year. Personal: Born Aug. 8, 1988 in Indianapolis, Ind. Son of Wanda Spann-Roddy and George Roddy III. Intends to major in English. Plays the tenor saxophone. Admires Barry Sanders and Bob Sanders. niuhuskies.com 85 2008 huskies player profiles

participated in track and basketball for three years each and twice captained the Kaneland basketball team. Also served as captain of 61 the track team as a junior, when he earned first team all-conference honors. panan Personal: Born Oct. 27, 1988 in Aurora, Ill. Son of LeAne and Joe Thorgesen. Joe played football and baseball at Illinois-Wesleyan. Tense Outdoorsman who enjoys fishing. Exercise science major. OG | 6-4 | 300 | So.-RS | 2Sq Hillside, IL | Fenwick 42 2007: Did not appear in any games. john 2006: Redshirted. High School: Rated No. 26 on state prospects list by Rivals.com in 2006. Named team captain and Most Valuable Offensive Lineman, Tranchitella first team Catholic League All-Blue Division, first team Suburban Life LB | 6-1 | 230 | Jr. | 2L All-Area, special mention Chicago Sun-Times All-Area, and special mention Chicago Tribune All-State as a senior. Played offensive tackle Addison, IL | Driscoll and racked up 20 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one Entering his junior season, has played in all 25 games over the last blocked field goal as defensive tackle during his senior campaign. two years. Entered his final prep season with three-star ranking by Rivals.com 2007: Played in all 12 games. Made five starts at weak side linebacker in its Midwest Top 150 and was cited on preseason Area Top 100 and four in the middle. One of only 10 defensive players to play in all Players and Catholic League Blue Top Five Players listings by Chicago 12 games in 2007. Made 58 tackles to rank eighth on the team, while Sun-Times, listed as one of the Area Top 100 Players, Area Top 20 his seven tackles for loss were third. Had at least one TFL in six games. Recruits, and league Player to Watch by Chicago Tribune. Earned Led Northern Illinois with six pass break-ups and two interceptions. honorable mention Catholic League All-White Division honors on 10-2 Recovered a fumble in the Toledo game (10-27). Credited with 10 league champion and Class 5A playoff quarterfinalist while playing stops, including three tackles for loss, in the season-opener vs. Iowa offensive guard as a junior. (9-1). Set a career-high with 11 tackles vs. Eastern Michigan (9-15). Personal: Born Sept. 26, 1987 in Arlington Heights, Ill. Communication Had three pass break ups, an interception and two tackles for loss at studies major. Son of Alpha and Marilyn Tense. Fan of Paul Konerko Idaho (9-22). Made eight tackles, seven solo with one tackle for loss, and Corey Magette. Nicknamed “Big P.” at Navy (11-17). With Kent State (11-10) driving for a potential game- winning score, picked off his second pass of the season. Game-saving play came with 1:14 remaining at the NIU 24-yard line. Also broke up 16 a pass in that game and had a tackle for loss. Totaled five stops and broke up a pass vs. Ball State (11-24). Versus Central Michigan (9-29), boone came up with six stops, including one for loss. Knocked down a pass and collected five tackles in the SIU game (9-8). Thorgesen 2006: Saw action in all 13 games, including bowl, as reserve S | 6-0 | 185 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq linebacker and on special teams. Totaled five tackles, two for loss, during the season. Racked up two tackles for loss against Indiana Elburn, IL | Kaneland State (9-23). Credited with a solo tackle vs. Temple (10-21). Returned a blocked punt 32 yards for a touchdown and made two tackles vs. 2007: Redshirted. TCU in Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). High School: Earned first team 5A All-State honors from the Chicago High School: Rated No. 28 on state prospect list by Rivals.com in 2006. Tribune, Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and Named team captain, first team All-Suburban Catholic Conference, Champaign News-Gazette in 2006. Named the Chicago Tribune’s first team Daily Herald DuPage All-Area, first team Chicago Sun- 2006 Offensive Player of the Year. Offensive MVP of the Western Times Class 1A-4A All-State, and first team Illinois Football Coaches Sun Conference in 2006. Honored as the Walter Payton Roundhouse Association Class 4A All-State as a senior. Led team in scoring with Player of the Year as a senior. Picked up first team All-Area and 110 points on 18 touchdowns, in receiving with 38 catches for 643 Player of the Year honors from the Aurora Beacon News, Daily yards and nine TDs, and ranked second in rushing with 744 yards Herald, Kane County Chronicle and DeKalb Chronicle. The Chicago and nine TDs on 95 attempts on 13-0 conference and Class 4A state Sun-Times named him to its All-Area squad as one of its Area Top champions during his senior year. Scored three touchdowns and 100. Two-time first team all-conference honoree in 2005 and 2006. totaled 95 receiving yards and 66 rushing yards in 2005 state title An honorable mention all-state selection as a junior. Named team game. Entered final prep campaign among league’s top five players captain and team MVP his senior year. Threw for 3,719 yards on by Chicago Sun-Times and Area Top 100 players by Chicago Tribune. 244-of-421 passing with 43 touchdowns and ran for 1,048 yards First team All-SCC and special mention Daily Herald DuPage All-Area and 10 touchdowns in 2006. As a junior, collected 610 rushing yards as a junior. Scored 14 touchdowns, rushed 24 times for 207 yards on 112 carries and 10 scores and completed 123-of-190 passes and four TDs and caught 18 passes for 507 yards and six scores on for 1,563 yards and 16 TDs. Career numbers include 5,784 passing 12-2 Class 3A state titlist. Totaled 151 all-purpose yards with one yards with 63 touchdowns, and 1,829 rushing yards with 24 scores. touchdown and picked of a pass in the 2004 state championship Holds Kaneland season records for passing yards (3,719), touchdown game. Lettered on 14-0 Class 4A state champion as a sophomore. passes (43), and total yards (4,767) as well as single-game passing Three-time letterwinner in football and earned one letter in basketball yards (437), career passing yards (5,784), touchdown passes (63), and track. Helped set school records in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays. and total yards (7,613). Ranks second all-time in IHSA record books for total yards in a season (4,767) and is third on the IHSA career total Personal: Born June 1, 1987 in Elmhurst, Ill. General studies major. offense list (7,613). Kaneland advanced to the 5A state semifinals in Made 3.0 cumulative GPA list following 2008 spring semester. 2006 and finished 11-2. Three-year letterwinner in football who also Parents are Terry and Sherie Tranchitella. Has five older brothers.

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Tranchitella’s career Statistics

Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU 2006 13/0 5 0 5 2-3 0-0 0/0 0/0 2007 12/9 25 33 58 7-9 0-0 0/1 2/6 Career 25/9 30 33 63 9-12 0-0 0/1 2/6

Career Highs Tackles: 11, vs. Eastern Michigan, 9-15-07 “Hopefully when I’m done playing, all the hard work and the TFLs: 2, at Idaho, 9-22-07 time we put into it all year long makes me a better person, a INTs: 1, two times, last vs. Kent State, 11-10-07 better man, for the rest of my life.” - Greg Turner team Chicago Tribune All-State, first team Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 4A All-State, first team Champaign News- 17 Gazette All-State, plus first team Chicago Sun-Times All-Area, first team Small Schools All-State, and Small Schools (Class 1A-4A) State greg Player of the Year. Played running back, wideout, free safety, and kick returner on 14-0 conference and Class 4A state champion squad as a senior. Set school record by scoring 37 touchdowns while totaling Turner 47 receptions for 1,100 yards as a receiver and adding 60 tackles, 15 WR | 6-0 | 195 | Sr. | 3L pass deflections, and 10 interceptions as a free safety during his final prep campaign. Tabbed first team All-SCC, first team Daily Herald Glendale Heights, IL | Driscoll DuPage All-Area, special mention Champaign News-Gazette All-State, first team IHSFCA All-State, plus special mention Chicago Sun-Times Totaled 575 career all-purpose yards, including 296 receiving yards All-Area, first team Small Schools All-State, and Small Schools State on 27 catches for a 10.9 yards per catch average. Amassed 91 yards Player of the Year as a junior. Caught 43 passes for 1,000 yards and on six kickoff returns and 188 yards on 18 punt returns. 15 TDs to help team to state championship during his junior year. 2007: Appeared in 10 games with four starts at wide receiver. Ranked Totaled 35 catches for 535 yards and 13 TDs on state titlist as a fourth on the team with 21 catches and 222 receiving yards for a 10.6 sophomore. Tallied 125 career receptions for 2,635 yards and 56 average. Also appeared on special teams as a kick returner. Totaled touchdowns. Three-time football letterwinner and earned four letters 357 all-purpose yards, the fifth-most on the squad as he returned in basketball. Three-time Suburban Catholic Conference Basketball three kickoffs for 50 yards and eight punts for 66 yards to average Player of the Year. 16.6 and 8.2 yards per return, respectively. Caught three passes for Personal: Born Nov. 6, 1985. Entered school as “grey-shirt” by 49 yards, including a 40-yard reception vs. Iowa (9-1). Had three punt deferring admission until January 2005. General studies major. Son returns, including one for 11 yards, in that game. Made three grabs of Dave and Joy Turner. Brett Favre fan. for 42 yards and had a season-long 19-yard punt return vs. Southern Illinois (9-8). Totaled four receptions for 24 yards and had one rush for Turner’s career Statistics eight yards at Central Michigan (9-29). Recoevered a pair of kickoff Receiving returns for 45 yards in that game. Caught three passes for 19 yards vs. Ball State (11-25). Made a 15-yard and an eight-yard reception vs. YeAR g/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Yds/Gm Eastern Michigan (9-15). Credited with two receptions for 27 yards 2005 11/0 1 15 15.0 0 15 1.6 and one punt return for 10 yards at Idaho (9-22). Caught two passes 2006 12/0 5 59 11.8 1 23 4.9 for 16 yards at Wisconsin (10-20). 2007 10/4 21 222 10.6 1 40 22.2 2006: Saw action in 12 contests, including the bowl game. Team’s Career 33/4 27 296 10.9 2 40 8.9 leading punt returner with 10 for 122 yards, including long of 24 yards, and had two kickoff returns for 36 yards, including a 32-yarder. Kickoff Returns Recovered a muffed punt and returned two punts for 19 yards at YeAR nO. Yds. Avg. TD Lg Miami (10-8). Blocked a punt that was recovered for a touchdown 2005 1 5 5.0 0 5 and had a 20-yard punt return at Western Michigan (10-14). Posted 2006 2 36 18.0 0 32 a career day with three receptions for 41 yards, including a 23-yard 2007 3 50 16.6 0 26 touchdown catch, and 32-yard kickoff return vs. Temple (10-21). Career 6 91 15.1 0 32 Caught five passes for 59 yards (11.8 avg.) and one touchdown. on the year Returned three punts for 11 yards against Buffalo (9-16). Punt Returns Recorded a 19-yard punt return vs. Indiana State (9-23). Caught one YeAR nO. Yds. Avg. TD Lg pass for 11 yards at Iowa (10-28). Amassed 44 punt return yards on 2005 0 0 0.0 0 0 two attempts against Toledo (11-7). Had a nine-yard punt return and a seven-yard reception vs. Central Michigan (11-17). Saw time before 2006 10 122 12.2 0 24 leaving game with injury vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). 2007 8 66 8.2 0 19 2005: Played 11 games as offensive reserve and on special teams. Career 18 188 10.4 0 24 Caught one pass for 15 yards. Saw first collegiate action with 10 plays at Michigan (9-3). Made first collegiate reception against Tennessee Career Highs Tech (9-17). Played season-high nine special teams plays at Central Catches: 4, at Central Michigan, 9-29-07 Michigan (11-5). Receiving Yards: 79, vs. Southern Illinois, 9-8-07 High School: Two-year consensus all-state selection, two-time state Receiving Touchdowns: 1, twice, last vs. Ball State, 11-24-07 Player of the Year, and three-time Class 4A state champion. Named Long Gain: 43, vs. Temple, 10-21-06 team captain, first team All-Suburban Catholic Conference and league Long Kickoff Return: 32, vs. Temple, 10-21-06 Player of the Year, first team Daily Herald DuPage All-Area, second- Long Punt Return: 24, vs. Toledo, 11-7-06 niuhuskies.com 87 2008 huskies player profiles 71 82 scott preston Wedige Williams OL | 6-4 | 285 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq WR | 5-11 | 180 | Jr.-RS | 3Sq Elkhorn, WI | Elkhorn Area Urbana, IL | Urbana 2007: Redshirted. 2007: Saw action in three games as a backup wide receiver. Played High School: Garnered first team All-Southern Lakes Conference and against Southern Illinois (9-8), Eastern Michigan (9-15) and Toledo All-County honors as a senior at offensive tackle. As a junior, earned (10-27). On the field for five snaps as a wideout in the Toledo game. first team all-league and all-county recognition at both offensive and 2006: Played in two games as reserve. Saw time against Indiana State (9-23) and vs. Temple (10-21). “The games are so much fun, and there is so much 2005: Redshirted. intensity. I’ll never forget running onto the field last High School: Named team co-captain and MVP, first team All-Big 12 Conference at quarterback and defensive back and league Offensive year at - even as a redshirt. That was a Player of the Year. Selected first team Champaign News-Gazette All-Area at defensive back and Area Player of the Year, second great feeling.” - Scott Wedige team Chicago Tribune All-State at defensive back, and first team Champaign News-Gazette All-State on defense as a senior. Amassed defensive tackle. Earned first team all-area recognition as a senior 1,851 yards of total offense on 63-of-148 pass attempts for 1,165 on the offensive line. Served as team captain and was selected team yards and 11 TDs, and 686 rushing yards and 11 TDs. Totaled 30 MVP as a senior. As a defensive tackle, tallied 142 tackles, four sacks, tackles, seven interceptions, and five fumble-causing hits on defense two fumbles caused, two pass deflections, and one blocked kick in for Class 6A playoff qualifier during his senior campaign. Tied school his career. Team went 11-3 and advanced to the state semifinals record with 40 career touchdowns and compiled 3,482 career yards. his sophomore season. Three-year letterwinner in both football and Voted team co-MVP, first team All-Big 12 at defensive back, and first basketball. A second team all-conference choice in basketball as team Champaign News-Gazette All-Area after scoring two defensive a junior and picked up honorable mention all-league honors as a TDs on fumble recovery return and interception during his junior year. sophomore on the basketball court. Team’s Outstanding Sophomore and honorable mention Champaign Personal: Born Nov. 20, 1988. Son of Doris and Steve Wedige. Enjoys News-Gazette All-Area during second prep season. Earned three skiing, waterskiing, and hunting. Majoring in marketing. On the 3.0 letters in football and basketball and two in baseball. Basketball cumulative GPA list following the 2008 spring semester. team’s Defensive Player of the Year and honorable mention All-Big 12 as a junior. Recipient of Thurgood Marshall Academic Award, Big 12 Leadership Award, and Big 12 Scholar-Athlete Award. Honor Roll 64 student. Personal: Born Nov. 5, 1986. Son of Preston and Ivy Williams of jake Urbana, Ill. History major. Father Preston Williams, Jr., lettered in baseball at Indiana State (1976-79). Sister, Jackie Williams, played Wertz at Illinois State (2004-07). OT | 6-5 | 305 | Jr.-RS | 3Sq Prairie View, IL | Stevenson 27 2007: Did not appear in any games. spencer 2006: Played in one game as offensive line reserve. Saw time against Indiana State (9-23). Williamson 2005: Redshirted. SS | 6-4 | 205 | Jr.-RS | 2L High School: Named team captain, first team North Suburban Conference All-Lake Division, first team Pioneer Press All-Area, first Elkhart, IN | Central team Daily Herald Lake County All-Area, special mention Chicago 2007: Reserve free safety appeared in eight games and started Sun-Times All-Area, and special mention Chicago Tribune All-State for the Ball State (11-24) contest. Also contributed on special teams. Class 8A quarterfinalist as senior. Tabbed first team Academic All- Ranked sixth on the team among defensive backs with 34 tackles, NSC and first team Illinois High School Football Coaches Association 14 solo. Recorded one forced fumble, one recovered fumble and two Academic All-State with 3.8 cumulative GPA after his senior campaign. pass break-ups. Suffered a left knee sprain in the season-opener vs. Entered his final prep season on preseason Chicago Sun-Times and Iowa (9-1). Made three tackles and forced one fumble in his return at Chicago Tribune Top 100 Area Player lists. Earned honorable mention Temple (10-6). Totaled a career-high 11 stops, four solo, at Wisconsin All-NSC honors as defensive tackle on playoff qualifier as a junior. (10-20). Credited with nine tackles, recovered a fumble and had one Two-time letterwinner in football and tack. Threw shot put and discus pass break-up at Toledo (10-27). Made four tackles at Navy (11-17). in track. Transferred from Mooresville (N.C.) Senior High School. Posted five tackles and one pass break-up vs. Ball State (11-24). Personal: Born March 20, 1987 in Riverside, Calif. Biology major. 2006: Saw action in all 13 games with time in defensive backfield Made 3.0 cumulative GPA list following 2008 spring semester. Son of and on special teams. Totaled 16 tackles, seven solo. Made two stops Russell and Brenda Wertz. Has lived in six different states. Ray Lewis at Ohio State (9-2). Had a solo tackle vs. Buffalo (9-16). Recorded fan. Enjoys collecting cards.

88 niuhuskies.com 2008 huskies player profiles/signees three tackles vs. Indiana State (9-23). Posted a season-high four stops, including three solo, at Miami (10-8). Credited with two tackles 2008 Signees against Temple (10-21). Had one solo tackle vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl (12-19). darnell Bolding 2005: Redshirted. LB | 6-2 | 215 | So.-RS | JC 44 High School: Named team co-captain and co-MVP, and team Washington, D.C. | Bowie | Coffeyville C.C. Leadership Award recipient, first team All-Northern Indiana Redshirted his only season at Coffeyville Community College in Conference, first team Elkhart Truth All-Area, first team South 2007. During his high school career, earned all-conference first team Bend Tribune All-Dream Team, first team Indiana Football Coaches and all-area second team honors as a senior at Bowie High School. Association All-Region, and honorable mention Bloomington Herald- Maryland County Newspapers’ All-County second team member Times All-State as a senior. Totaled 103 tackles, one fumble recovery, made 97 tackles (63 solo), recorded three sacks and forced three and one interception for Class 5A playoff qualifier during his senior fumbles in his final season with the Bulldogs. Received Big School year. Earned first team All-Northern Indiana Conference honors after All-State honorable mention accolades from MDVarsity.com. Enrolled making 86 tackles, blocking four kicks, and picking off three passes at NIU in the spring of 2008 and participated in spring drills. as a junior. Credited with 46 tackles as a sophomore and 34 during freshman season. Two-sport all-state selection. Four-time letterwinner in football and track and earned three letters in basketball. Placed meco Brown third in state 4 x 100 relay and earned all-state honors as a junior. RB | 5-7 | 180 | Fr. | HS 1 Honor Roll student. Moss Point, MS | Moss Point Personal: Born April 16, 1987 in Elkhart, Ind. Marketing major. Son of Katina Williamson. Bill Russell fan. Member of the Mississippi All-Star Classic Team. Named the 2007 Class 4A Region 7 Most Valuable Player. As a senior, rushed for 1,331 yards, tallied 317 receiving yards and scored 20 touchdowns. Earned Williamson’s career Statistics Mississippi Coaches Association second team All-State recognition as a junior, when he gained over 2,400 all-purpose yards and scored Year g/GS Solo Assist Total TFL-Yds. Sk.-Yds. FF/FR int/PBU 18 total touchdowns. Honored as the 2006 Class 5A Region 4 2006 13/0 7 9 16 0-0 0-0 0/0 0/0 Player of the Year. Scored five career touchdowns on punt returns. 2007 8/1 14 20 34 0-0 0-0 1/1 0/2 Helped the Tigers go 12-2 and advance to the Mississippi Class 4A Career 21/1 21 29 50 0-0 0-0 1/1 0/2 State semifinals, where the team lost in the final minute to eventual champion Laurel. Tigers also made the state playoffs during his junior Career Highs season. Tackles: 11, at Wisconsin, 10-20-07 adam Coleman 93 25 DT | 6-3 | 245 | Fr. | HS Bettendorf, IA | Bettendorf tracy Ranked eighth in the Rivals.com Iowa Top 10. As a senior, was recognized by the Des Moines Register on its Elite All-State Team and on the Iowa Newspaper Association All-State first team. Garnered All- Wilson Mississippi Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors DB | 6-2 | 200 | Fr.-RS | 1Sq for his part in Bettendof’s 13-0 record and Iowa Class 4A state championship. Earned a bevy of all-state accolades from the Iowa Harvey, IL | St. Francis DeSales High School Association (first team), Des Moines Register (second 2007: Redshirted. team), and Iowa Newspaper Association (third team). Recorded 82 High School: Earned honorable mention all-state honors as a senior tackles (38 solo), as well as 10 TFLs and seven sacks. As a junior, and as a junior. Named the Northwest Indiana Times 2006 Offensive totaled 77 tackles (40 solo), including 16 for loss and seven sacks, Player of the Year as a quarterback. Selected to first team all-area on Bettendorf’s 10-2 squad. Received Iowa Class 4A Academic All- squad following his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons and was State honors for both football and track and field. Threw shot put and named team MVP all three seasons. Picked up the team Offensive discus, for which he was a state qualifier. Uncle Spin Williams played Player of the Year Award following his junior and senior seasons tight end at Northern Iowa, was a pitching coach for the Pittsburgh and was the Pioneers’ Defensive Player of the Year at safety as a Pirates for 28 years and is currently the player development and sophomore and junior. Helped lead St. Francis DeSales to their first scouting pitching advisor for the Washington Nationals. Father played playoff appearance in school history in 2006. Tallied 106 tackles, a basketball at Saint Ambrose. pair of quarterback sacks and two interceptions as a senior while throwing for 1,825 yards and 25 TDs and rushing for 1,575 yards maurice CoOn and 19 scores. Recorded 326 tackles, 16 sacks, five forced fumbles, DE | 6-1 | 250 | Fr. | HS 46 four recovered fumbles, 11 interceptions, and one blocked kick in his career. As a quarterback, threw for 4,030 career yards with 47 Lakeland, FL | George Jenkins touchdowns and ran for 3,565 yards and 38 touchdowns. A four-year Captured all-county honorable mention honors as a senior and third- letterwinner in football who also played basketball (four years) and team all-state accolades as a sophomore. Slowed by injury during his baseball (two years) and was an all-league choice in hoops. junior season. In his career, totaled 70 tackles and nine sacks as a Personal: Born Feb. 27, 1989. Son of Deborah Hayes. Majoring in defender while gaining 1,050 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns accountancy. on offense and special teams. Saw action at defensive end, tailback, and returned punts and kicks. Played for two-time district champion Kathleen before transferring to George Jenkins as a senior. Lettered in track and field, placing fifth in the shot put and seventh in the discus at the Florida Class 3A State Championships. niuhuskies.com 89 2008 huskies 2008 signees

kiaree Daniels logan Pegram DB | 5-10 | 190 | So. | JC 23 OL | 6-3 | 310 | Fr. | HS 70 Kissimmee, FL | Osceola | Highland J.C. Silver Lake, KS | Silver Lake Osceola News-Gazette’s Player of the Year led the county with 122 Named to the Topeka Capital Journal’s All-State Top 11 as a senior tackles and also had three interceptions. Received Orlando Sentinel and All-State Top 33 as a junior. Played his way onto the 2006 Kansas- All-State honors and played in the Central Florida High School East Sports.com All-State first team. Was a member of the Kansas Shrine vs. West All-Star Game. Recorded 48 tackles (26 solo) at Highland Bowl All-Star Team. Garnered all-conference honors as an offensive Junior College in Highland, Kansas as a freshman. Earned third-team lineman in both his junior and senior seasons. Also played defensive all-state recognition as a junior. Garnered Florida Sun All-County tackle, compiling 46 tackles (23 solo) as a senior and 37 (21 solo) as Weightlifting Team accolades. Participated in track and field at a junior. Helped lead the Eagles to a 14-0 record and the Kansas Class Osceola as a sprinter. First name is pronounced KY-ree. 3A State Championship as a junior. Team finished as the state runner- up in his three other seasons with the program. Also started for the tommy Davis Silver Lake basketball team, and threw the shot put and discus. WR | 5-11 | 190 | Fr. | HS 8 East St. Louis, IL | Althoff Catholic brandon Rogers QB | 6-2 | 205 | Fr. | HS 14 Earned first-team all-conference recognition at both defensive back and wide receiver as a senior. Named the city’s most valuable player Broken Arrow, OK | Tulsa Union and earned second team all-metro honors at wide receiver. Collected An Oklahoma Football Coaches Association first team All-State 27 receptions for 470 yards, made 52 tackles and returned three selection. Named to the Tulsa World All-Metro first team. Earned kicks for touchdowns in his final season. Grabbed 40 catches for Class 6A-3 Most Valuable Player accolades. Threw for 2,565 yards 390 yards as a junior. Participated in track, competing in jumps and and 25 touchdowns his senior year. Rushed for 10 touchdowns. sprints. Father was a running back at Iowa State. Cousin Peerless Helped the Redskins to a 13-1 record and the state championship Price plays wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills. game. As a junior, completed 119-of-205 passes for 1,586 yards and 18 touchdowns. As a senior, was selected to play in the Texas vs. dan Edem Oklahoma Oil Bowl and the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association TE | 6-2 | 210 | Fr. | HS 86 East-West All-Star game. Also played guard for the Redskin basketball Apple Valley, MN | Eastview team. Garnered Star Tribune All-Metro third team honors playing for 11-2 kevin SABOCK Eastview. Earned all-state honorable mention notice in 2007. Caught 34 14 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns as a senior. Caught LB | 6-2 | 210 | Fr. | HS eight passes for 117 yards as a junior. Started for the Lightning on Sycamore, IL | Sycamore the defensive line, where he totaled six career sacks and forced three Earned a spot on the First Team as a senior. fumbles. Helped the Lightning to a sectional title and to the Class Tallied 119 tackles (53 solo), knocked down five passes and gathered 5A state semifinal. Played at Eastview, where his team one interception. Helped the Spartans to their first playoff appearance advanced to the Class 5A state semifinals. since 2002. As a sophomore, recorded 100 tackles (48 solo). Also competed in track, where he garnered all-conference honors after his victor Jacques junior season as a thrower. Son of former Huskie assistant football FB | 6-1 | 210 | Fr. | HS 40 coach Mike Sabock, who spent 24 seasons coaching at NIU. Miami, FL | Christopher Columbus jody van laanen Named third team All-Dade County as a senior. Caught 20 passes 6 for 201 yards and three touchdowns to go with four rushes for 32 S | 6-0 | 190 | Fr. | HS yars in his final high school season. Named team captain and MVP Green Bay, WI | Ashwaubenon as a senior. During his junior year, ran the ball 25 times for 140 yards Green Bay Press-Gazette’s first team all-conference and all-area and made 11 catches for 88 yards. Scored nine career touchdowns, honorable mention quarterback. Led Ashwaubenon to the second five receiving and four rushing. Helped the Explorers to a12-1 round of the Wisconsin Class 2 state playoffs as a senior. Named Fox record and a district championship as a senior. Team went 10-1 and River Classic Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2007 after won the district title during his sophomore season. Also lettered in passing for over 1,500 yards and rushing for over 800. Jaguars posted basketball and track and field. Attended the same high school as a 9-2 record during his senior season. also wrestled at Ashwaubenon ’ quarterbacks coach Mike Shula and Chicago under his father Jody Van Laanen, Sr. Won the state wrestling title as Bears quarterback Brian Griese. a junior, placed fifth in his sophomore season, and wrestled his way to a sixth-place finish in state as a freshman. brian Lawson DL | 6-3 | 260 | Fr. | HS 92 Park Forest, IL | Rich East Named an Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All-State performer as a senior. Received recognition as an all-area and all- conference performer all three seasons. Recorded 67 tackles (35 solo), 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, forced 10 fumbles and blocked three field goals in his final season with the Rockets. As a junior, tallied 50 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and two sacks. Helped the Rockets reach the playoffs in 2005 and 2007. Competed in throws, jumps and sprints for the Rich East track and field team. As a wrestler, was a two-time all-conference performer who helped the Rockets to an 18-0 record in his junior season and a 17-1 mark as a senior.

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