Southwest Minnesota State University Athletics 2007 Mustang FOOTBALL Athletic Communications Director: Kelly Loft, [email protected] (contact) Assistant Athletic Communications Director: Crystal Kruger, [email protected] For Immediate Release: Assistant Athletic Communications Director: Andy Schlichting, [email protected] DECEMBER 19, 2007 www.SMSUmustangs.com • phone: (507) 537-7177 • fax: (507) 537-6578 2007 SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE SCHEDULE THE 2007 SEASON: The Southwest Minnesota State University football team finished the 2007 season with an overall Aug. 30 Wisconsin-Eau Claire ............................L 13-42 record of 2-9. SMSU finished 2-7 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tying for eighth place. Sept. 8 at Jamestown (N.D.) ................................L 9-17 Sept. 15 at Minnesota, Crookston * ....................W 20-15 2007 SMSU SENIORS: SMSU had seven seniors on the final 2007 roster. The seniors include: Ben Adams, David Sept. 22 Northern State *......................................L 27-31 Connors, Tyler Fischer, James Holmes, Kyle Rider, William Sutton and Justin Van Wyk. Sept. 29 at Mary * ................................................L 22-23 2007 SMSU FOOTBALL LETTERWINNERS: The 2007 SMSU football team had 55 letterwinners. Players must have Oct. 6 Concordia * ^ (Ag Bowl) ......................W 24-19 appeared in at least one game to be listed as a letterwinner. Oct. 13 at Upper Iowa * ......................................L 29-37 SENIORS (7): Ben Adams, David Connors, Tyler Fischer, James Holmes, Kyle Rider, William Sutton, Justin Van Wyk Oct. 20 at Wayne State * ....................................L 28-42 JUNIORS (13): Tom Brown, Tim Cariveau, Matt Fischer, Maxon Keating*, Tom Kolb, Michael Liggins, Jim Nelson, Oct. 27 Bemidji State *........................................L 14-28 Tyler Reed, Tony Rislov, Korey Roethler, Josh Shudlick, Scott Talcott, Grant Wells Nov. 3 Winona State * ................................L 46-49 2ot SOPHOMORES (16): Paul Benesh, Levi Bullerman, Matt Carmody, Bryce Haessly, Michael Hagny, J.D. Koedatich, Bill Nov. 10 vs. MSU Moorhead * % ..........................L 27-41 Noethlich, Shaye Thomas, Derek Townsend, Ryan Vette, Jordan Wager, Kevin Wagner, Nick Wagner, Tony Weiler, Blake * Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game Wilson, Zach Wysong ^ Homecoming REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (16): Alex Ault, Scott Beehler, Brian Bular, Chris Christianson, Jason Ferhnolz, Josh % played at Metrdome, Minneapolis, Minn. Ferryman, Chad Gardner, Curt Gosser, Nate Hacker, Shane LaDage, Ryan Lausted, Alex Mayorov, Paul Muecke, Sean Patrick O’Leary, Robbie Slinkman, Sam Woitalewicz 2007 NSIC STANDINGS TRUE FRESHMAN (3): Bret Ballantine, Ryan Burke, Michell Moya NSIC Overall Letterwinners who didn’t finish season on the roster: Demarco Butts, Bobby Clayborn, Thomas Durham, Whenson Winona State ..................................................9-0 ............10-2 Felix Wayne State ....................................................7-2..............7-5 *could receive medical redshirt Mary ................................................................7-2 ............7-4 Bemidji State ..................................................6-3 ............7-4 RADIO BROADCASTS: All SMSU football games were broadcast on KARL 105.1 FM with Aaron Ziemer handling play-by- Northern State ................................................5-4 ............5-6 play. Concordia ........................................................3-6 ............4-7 TEAM AWARD WINNERS: Team awards were voted by SMSU players following the season. Minnesota State Moorhead ............................3-6 ............4-7 Most Valuable Player: Tyler Reed, Jr., Safety Southwest Minnesota State ................2-7 ..........2-9 Offensive MVP: Zach Wysong, So., Running Back Upper Iowa......................................................2-7 ............3-8 Defensive MVP: Tyler Fischer, Sr., Linebacker Minnesota, Crookston ....................................1-8 ............2-8 Special Teams MVP: William Sutton, Sr., Kick Returner Scout Team Offensive MVP: Sam Woitalewicz, RFr., Wide Receiver SMSU UNDER EIDSNESS IN 2007 WHEN... Scout Team Defensive MVP: Derek Klinkner, Fr., Linebacker Playing at home........................................................................1-4 Scout Team Special Teams MVP: Tony Awoleye, Fr. Playing away ............................................................................1-4 Playing at a neutral site ..........................................................0-1 2007 ALL-NSIC HONOREES: SMSU had 12 players earn all-conference honors following the season. The Mustangs had Ahead at halftime ..................................................................2-3 one first team, three second team and eight honorable mention selections. Behind at halftime ................................................................0-6 First team: Tyler Reed, defensive back Tied at halftime ....................................................................0-0 Second team: William Sutton, kick return; Bill Noethlich, offensive line; Scott Talcott kicker Ahead after third quarter ........................................................2-2 Honorable mention: Ben Adams (LB), Matt Fischer (TE), Tyler Fischer (LB), Tom Kolb (OL), Jim Nelson (OL), Korey Behind after third quarter ......................................................0-7 Roethler (P), Josh Shudlick (QB), Zach Wysong (RB) Scores first..............................................................................1-4 Opponent scores first ............................................................1-5 2007 ALL-REGION HONORS: Junior safety Tyler Reed was named first team Daktronic All-Northwest Region. He Out-gains the opponent rushing ............................................2-3 becomes just the third Mustang player to earn first team all-region honors at the Division II level. Defensive tackle Jason Out-gains or the same opponent passing................................1-6 Jacobs (1999) and punter Andy Schlichting (2005) are the only two previous SMSU players to earn first team honors. Commits fewer turnovers than opponent..............................1-1 Jacobs (1997 & 1998) and tight end Dan Linden (2001) were both named second team all-region. Commits more turnovers than opponent..............................1-6 Commits same turnovers as opponent ................................0-2 GLEN GALLIGAN AWARD WINNER: Tyler Fischer was the 2007 recipient of the NSIC Glen Galligan Award. The award Have same or fewer penalties than opponent ........................1-5 honors the top senior football student-athlete in the conference each year. The award began in 1948 to honor Galligan, Have more penalties than opponent ......................................1-4 who was the athletic director at Winona State from 1929-47 and head coach at WSU from 1927-33 and 1935. Fischer is the sixth Mustang to earn the award. Previous award winners include Dan Koster (1984), Bruce Saugstad (1988), Preston SMSU ALL-TIME UNDER EIDSNESS WHEN... Cunningham (1995), Eric Lee (1996) and Jason Jacobs (1999). Playing at home ....................................................................8-13 Playing away ..........................................................................7-12 TYLER FISCHER EARNS ACADEMIC AWARD: Senior linebacker Tyler Fischer was named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Playing at a neutral site ..........................................................0-4 Academic All-District V College Division second team. The College Division District V team, which consists of student- Ahead at halftime ................................................................11-6 athletes from NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA schools from the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Behind at halftime................................................................4-21 Indiana, was selected by sports information directors in the district. Fischer has compiled a 3.74 GPA while majoring in ag. business. It’s the third major academic award Fischer has Tied at halftime ....................................................................0-2 earned in the last six months. Last summer he was named the 2006-07 NSIC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year while in Ahead after third quarter ......................................................13-3 September he was named to the American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team which is awarded for commu- Behind after third quarter ....................................................2-26 nity involvement and academic success. Scores first ..........................................................................12-11 Opponent scores first ..........................................................3-18 MORE FISCHER AWARDS: Senior linebacker Tyler Fischer was one of 22 players in all of college football to be named to Out-gains the opponent rushing ..........................................11-10 the 2007 American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team on Sept. 12. The Good Works Team honors players Out-gains or the same opponent passing ............................10-11 for their dedication and commitment to community service. Commits fewer turnovers than opponent ............................7-2 Fischer becomes just the second SMSU player to be named to earn the prestigious award. Defensive back Russ Barclay Commits more turnovers than opponent............................4-21 was the first player to earn the