Foley offensive tackle D.J. Fluker a big guy with big talent, tops Birmingham News Super Seniors list
Foley's Danny Lee Jesus Fluker is so big he has two middle names. The 6-foot-7, 350-pound offensive tackle edged Gadsden City cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick in The News' postseason ranking of the state's top prep players.
The Alabama commitment rose from fifth to first after dominating performances during the season, then during all-star games at the state and national levels.
"Everywhere I went I was ready for somebody just as good," Fluker said. "Somebody that would whip me and show me I'm not as good as everybody says I am."
D.J., as he's known by, is still looking. Mountain Brook coach Chris Yeager placed his potential and prowess at this age above Huffman alum and Alabama All-American Andre Smith. The offensive line guru worked with both at this stage.
Both bury defenders with finishing moves worthy of a video game, but Fluker is two inches taller with more wingspan. Yeager felt Fluker was in Smith's class even though this season was his first playing exclusively at offensive tackle.
Rivals.com rated Fluker the top prospect on the West team after the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Scout.com wasn't as sold, noting he gets off-balance and doesn't play with solid technique. Its film study slighted him for bending at his waist, not his knees.
The players he played with and against did not share that opinion.
"D.J. is a another good reason to go to Alabama," St. Paul's quarterback A.J. McCarron said, pointing to a likely future teammate at the Alabama-Mississippi Classic. "You feel good in the pocket knowing he's got your back out there."
Fluker's No. 72 Foley jersey was a size 3XL. He wears a size-22 shoe, with hands that magically make Whoppers look like Krystals.
"There were times I'd feel sorry for the guy he was blocking," Foley coach Todd Watson said. "Or those poor defensive backs when we had D.J in front leading on a screen. I remember their wide eyes watching him coming. There were times in practice I'd rein him in or I wasn't going to have any defensive ends."
Fluker may be one of the fastest in the 350-pound club. Both he and his coach certify he's clocked a 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds. There's a clip on Rivals.com of him going Usain Bolt in a 20-yard race with an All-American teammate.
It defies the mind seeing the way Fluker moves and needs to squeeze into a 52 long sport coat. Or pants with a 46 waist and a 36 inseam. Fluker estimated his body fat at no more than 22 percent.
"When I was born, they said I was the biggest baby at the hospital," he said. "I was about two feet long and 12 pounds. My mom gave me two middle names. She thought she was having a girl, but had me instead. She named me Jesus because she wanted me to be special."
He needed to be. His mother Annice delivered him naturally. He was not late-term.
"It was pretty rough," Fluker said. "She needed about 150 stitches."
Fluker was 6-foot-3 and 400 pounds in the eighth grade. But he was finally old enough where size wouldn't keep him from football.
"Football got me in shape," Fluker said. "I had to run to play and work out. I kept getting taller. But even then people said I didn't look like I weighed 400 pounds."
Fluker said he's a B-student, but he will take his ACT again. He appears in good shape to qualify with his grade-point average on the NCAA's sliding scale.
Watson cannot recall him ever making a "D" in a course.
"There were some junior college coaches that came by because they heard he may not qualify," Watson said. "I told them I didn't think that was the case. He's in good shape. Better shape than a lot of kids who ended up qualifying."
Watson's thoughts about his program's second straight elite national prospect (Julio Jones) centered largely on Fluker's charisma and work ethic.
"I love that movie `Rudy' for how hard he worked," Fluker said, describing why every coach mentions his heart, too. "That's me. I play every snap like the smallest guy on the field that might get taken out if I don't go as hard as I possibly can."
"His character is just as rare as his size and agility," Watson said. "He could have that better-than-you attitude but he's one of the most humble human beings you're going to meet. He's a huge kid, but he doesn't have a big head at all."
Watson said despite Fluker's rising stock other big-name programs have stayed away. He's been committed since November 2007. The only school he will visit after Alabama this week is LSU.
"If the Pete Carrolls and Urban Meyers knock on his door I don't think his mind will change," Watson said. "From what he's told us, we've been able to tell the other big schools there's no need to come chase rabbits for an in-state kid who's told us he will stick close to home."
(c)2009 Alabama Live LLC
'Wildcat' offense has rejuvenated Brown's career
DAVIE, Fla. - Having reached the playoffs and Pro Bowl for the first time, Miami running back Ronnie Brown is living up to expectations.
Finally.
Brown needed four seasons, a gimmick offense and a taste of NFL mortality to prove worthy of being chosen second overall in the 2005 draft. At least it was worth the wait. Brown's 10-touchdown, 916-yard rushing effort in 2008 helped power Miami into Sunday's first-round home playoff game against Baltimore.
"If I look back at it, it's been a long process," Brown told FOXSports.com on Friday at Dolphins headquarters. "But everything has fallen into place."
It's about time for both Brown and the Dolphins (11-5).
While completing the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history, Miami fielded strong NFL Comeback Player of the Year contenders like quarterback Chad Pennington (the ultimate winner) and outside linebacker Joey Porter. Consequently, Brown's return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament was overlooked by award voters.
That isn't the case in Miami's locker room, where teammates are grateful for Brown's contributions as a traditional runner and quarterback in the club's "Wildcat" formation. Miami's 118.6-yard rushing average ranked 12th in the NFL, marking the team's highest finish since 2002. That was also the last time Miami fielded a running back with double-digit touchdowns in Ricky Williams, who is now Brown's backup.
"It's amazing the guy just had knee surgery and to see the extent of what he's done," Dolphins third-string running back Patrick Cobbs said of Brown. "He can beat you in so many different ways. He's fast, he's strong, he's physical.
"You have to pick your poison if you're a defender. You don't know what he's going to give you. He could make you miss, run over the top of you or run away from you. The guy is special. He's worthy of his Pro Bowl honor."
Hawaii seemed like a distant oasis during Brown's first two NFL seasons. Brown posted solid statistics, including a 1,008-yard rushing campaign in 2006, but didn't make many impact plays or demonstrate he was consistently capable of carrying the offense. As the first NFL running back chosen with a top-two pick in a decade, Dolphins fans anticipated bigger things.
So did Brown.
"There are a lot of expectations when you're drafted No. 2 and expected to make a change (for your team) right away," said Brown, who signed a five-year, $34 million rookie contract. "You hear what people are saying. You're going to see (criticism) on TV or in the newspaper.
"The funny thing is that my expectations, they exceed everyone else's."
Brown began fulfilling them in 2007, although it took some tough love from then-coach Cam Cameron to get the ball rolling. Cameron was unhappy with Brown's off-season weight - he tipped the scales at more than 240 pounds at one point - and what was perceived as a lackadaisical approach toward football. Cameron took the extreme steps of firing his running backs coach after a rough minicamp practice and relegated Brown to returning kicks during the preseason.
"Emotionally, it was messing with him," said Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder, who is one of Brown's closest friends.
Rather than complain about Cameron's treatment or request a trade, Brown responded by dropping the weight and playing his best football. Through the first seven weeks of last season, Brown led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage (991) until hurting his right knee against New England.
The injury did more than end Brown's season and deal another blow to a squad that ultimately finished 1-15. It also caused Brown to reassess his approach toward the game.
"It was tough," said Brown, who turned 27 last month. "That was the first injury I sustained where I had to sit out for a period of time. Once you sit back, you realize that you should be fortunate for every moment and take advantage of each one while you're here. That was my goal coming into this season after going through that and learning this game doesn't last forever."
Brown pushed through an arduous rehabilitation program to find an unusual reward waiting at the end: The chance to lead an offense previously reserved for the college ranks. After an 0-2 start, Miami decided to unveil the "Wildcat" formation the team had secretly practiced during the preseason. Dolphins quarterbacks coach David Lee had successfully used the "Wildcat" the previous year at the University of Arkansas with running back Darren McFadden shifting into the quarterback position. The Dolphins targeted Brown for the same role.
"My whole approach was, 'Let's not mess it up. Let's get it right so we can use it,'" a smiling Brown said.
Brown got it right immediately, stunning New England with a five-touchdown performance (four rushing, one passing) in a 38-13 road rout.
While no longer a surprise, Miami still successfully uses the Wildcat to keep defenses off-balance. Brown is especially effective fielding snaps out of the shotgun. Roughly 35 percent of Brown's 2008 rushing total as well as half his touchdowns have come while operating the Wildcat. His 5.7-yard rushing average is also two yards greater than in a traditional running back role.
"You need a guy like that back there because if something breaks down, he can make something happen and turn it into a big gain," Cobbs said. "All of a sudden everybody's like, 'Go Wildcat!' when it's really, 'Go Ronnie!' He's done a great job making everybody else look good."
Brown didn't look good during Miami's 27-13 home loss to the Ravens in October. Baltimore tamed the Wildcat better than any Dolphins opponent, as Brown finished with a net loss of three yards on four rushing attempts. He gained just 25 yards on nine other carries.
While he isn't promising to snap Baltimore's NFL-best streak of 35 consecutive games without having allowed a 100-yard rusher, Brown does expect a better outing Sunday.
"It's going to be tough," he said. "But if we just settle down, realize what we're doing and block those guys up, I think we have a great chance. Looking at the film from the first game, we've grown a lot as a team and offense. We've come a long way."
No one more than Brown himself.
"He's been through so much," Crowder said. "Even when he was younger growing up rough, then coming in with all the expectations that surrounded him. He deserves everything he has. He's a great running back."
(c)2008 Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC
Georgia college football teams mirror each other this year
The state of Georgia saw its two flagship football programs go in opposite directions as the year went along. For our Year in Review, we're going to take a look at how Georgia and Georgia Tech were as black and white as any two in-state teams could have been.
Recruiting:
UGA jumped right out of the gate, signing what was considered by many to be one of the top recruiting classes in the nation. The class was rated as the seventh best recruiting class by Rivals.com and was led by 5-star WR A.J. Green.
Georgia Tech, on the other hand, did not get off to a roaring start in the Paul Johnson era by reeling in only the 49th best recruiting class per Rivals.com. However, the class was led by 4-star OL Omoregie Uzzi and 3-star QB Jaybo Shaw.
Preseason Expectations:
While Georgia Tech was working to perfect the triple option offense that Paul Johnson instituted, Georgia was busy posing for Sports Illustrated covers and fending off the media after receiving a preseason #1 ranking for the first time in the history of the program.
Georgia was receiving all the accolades, but Georgia Tech was also receiving tons of press after publicly stating that its only goal this year was to beat Georgia. The Tech weight room walls were plastered with the date of the game and the Tech team was focused on making sure they would play spoiler to any UGA National Championship hopes. However, very few people would pick Georgia Tech to actually play spoiler later on in the season.
Early Season:
After not dominating their first two opponents (Georgia Southern and Central Michigan) like many believed they would, Georgia fell from its lofty #1 ranking all the way to #3. Through its first four games of the season, many were already claiming that this UGA team was not the same one that finished the prior season with a #2 overall ranking.
Georgia Tech, on the other hand, was playing slightly better football than what many thought they would early on. Tech won three of its first four contests and beat the likes of Boston College and Mississippi State. Its only loss through seven games was to the eventual ACC Champion in Virginia Tech.
Late Season:
UGA had already suffered defeats to Alabama and Florida, which dashed any hopes of playing for a national title as well as an SEC Championship. Leading up to the Tech game, UGA was 9-2, but its wins were very hard-fought ones while its losses were near blowouts.
Going into the Georgia game, the Ramblin' Wreck was still hopeful in making the ACC Championship game, but found itself needing help from other teams in order to get into the game. However, Tech was not focused on winning the ACC and kept a very steady mentality of only focusing on their next opponent, which happened to be UGA.
"Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate":
Georgia and Georgia Tech met in Athens on 11/29 with history on the line for both teams. Georgia had rattled off seven straight wins against the Jackets and an eighth win would tie them for the longest streak in the series, which was held by Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, had every intention of keeping the Bulldogs from not only achieving that milestone, but also ringing in the Paul Johnson era by doing what Johnson was brought to Tech to do - beat the Dawgs.
Georgia jumped out to a commanding lead by scoring seven in the first quarter and 21 in the second, to take the game to 28-12 at the half. However, Georgia Tech made the necessary adjustments and the Dawgs made too many mistakes in the second half. Georgia Tech scored 26 unanswered points in the third quarter and a late rally by Georgia was not enough to dispatch the Jackets as Georgia Tech won 45-42. The game was thought of by both sets of fans as an instant classic in the series.
Bowl Scenarios:
Georgia will meet Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl on New Years Day in Orlando, while Georgia Tech will face LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in their hometown of Atlanta.
For Georgia, the bowl is a consolation prize to what has been considered to be a decent, but not spectacular, regular season. The Dawgs have spent the last few weeks preparing for what they deem as "redemption" for the loss to Georgia Tech.
The Jackets, however, are ecstatic to be playing in the Chick-fil-A Bowl to what will be considered as a very pro-Jackets crowd. Earlier in the season, many thought Georgia Tech would barely become bowl eligible, but after a 9-3 campaign in Paul Johnson's first year as head coach, there's plenty of reasons for the Jackets to be excited about the '09 season.
Overall Analysis:
Both squads are great teams. With both teams still in the hunt for a 10-win season, it's hard to say that either is not a good team. However, from the beginning of the season all the way until this point, they have mirrored each other. Georgia started with a lot of hype early on, but saw their hopes for titles fade, as Georgia Tech started with very little buzz, but has become one of the hottest teams in college football.
If 2008 has been any indication, there will be plenty to talk about between these two teams as the fight for the control over the state of Georgia grows.
(c)2008 Copyright Examiner.com. All Rights Reserved
Les Koenning Named To Mississippi State Football Staff
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Les Koenning, Jr., a veteran of more than 25 years coaching on the collegiate level including a previous stop at Mississippi State, has been named to head coach Dan Mullen's coaching staff, pending approval by the Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning.
"Les is a great addition to our staff and he's an innovative offensive mind," Mullen said. "He's been around football his entire life and has a wealth of experience on the offensive side of the ball."
Koenning comes to Mississippi State from South Alabama, where he spent the past season as the offensive coordinator for the newly developed Jaguar program. South Alabama will begin playing intercollegiate football in 2009.
"I've known Coach Mullen for a long time and our offensive philosophies are very similar," Koenning said. "This is a wonderful opportunity for my family and me and I'm excited to return to Starkville to help continue to build this program."
Prior to his one-year stay at South Alabama, Koenning, 49, spent five years on the Texas A&M staff, serving as offensive coordinator and working with the quarterbacks. He has spent the last 10 years of his career coordinating offenses and calling plays, starting in 1998 at Duke before stops at Houston (1999), TCU (2000) and Alabama (2001-03).
A native of Houston, Koenning began his career with graduate assistantships at Texas and Alabama before being named wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Louisiana-Lafayette in 1985.
Koenning then served as running backs and wide receivers coach for Rockey Felker at Mississippi State from 1986-89. He moved to Rice as wide receivers coach from 1990-93 before taking the same position at Texas A&M. Koenning gained a year of experience in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins during the 1997 season before returning to his college roots.
A 1981 graduate of Texas with a degree in Health and Physical Education, Koenning added a master's degree in sports management two years later. He and his wife, Lisa, have two children, Les and Lana.
LES KOENNING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Education:
Master's in Sports Management - Texas, 1983
Bachelor's in Health and Physical Education - Texas, 1981
Personal:
Born on February 10, 1959 in San Antonio, Texas
Married to the former Lisa Pihl
Two children, Les and Lana
mstateathletics.com
College football playoffs at a glance
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION
First Round Saturday, Nov. 29
Appalachian State 37, South Carolina State 21 Richmond 38, Eastern Kentucky 10 Villanova 55, Colgate 28 New Hampshire 29, Southern Illinois 20 Montana 31, Texas State 13 James Madison 38, Wofford 35 Northern Iowa 40, Maine 15 Weber State 49, Cal Poly 35
Quarterfinals Saturday, Dec. 6
Richmond 33, Appalachian State 13 Montana 24, Weber State 13 James Madison 31, Villanova 27 Northern Iowa 36, New Hampshire 34
Semifinals Friday Dec. 12
Montana 35, James Madison 27
Saturday, Dec. 13
Richmond 21, Northern Iowa 20
Championship Friday, Dec. 20 At Finley Stadium/Davenport Field Chattanooga, Tenn.
Montana (14-1) vs. Richmond (12-3), 7 p.m.
NCAA DIVISION II
First Round Saturday, Nov. 15
Tusculum 34, Albany State, Ga. 22 Valdosta State 24, Carson-Newman 20 West Chester 52, Southern Connecticut State 32 Seton Hill 14, American International 7 Ashland 27, Minnesota State, Mankato 16 West Texas A&M 49, Cent. Washington 42 Pittsburg State 33, Nebraska-Omaha 21 Chadron State 23, Wayne State, Neb. 17
Second Round Saturday, Nov. 22
Bloomsburg 28, West Chester 21 California, Pa. 48, Seton Hill 7 Grand Valley State 40, Ashland 7 Delta State 27, Tusculum 19 North Alabama 37, Valdosta State 10 Abilene Christian 93, West Texas A&M 68 Northwest Missouri State 38, Pittsburg State 35 Minnesota-Duluth 20, Chadron State 10
Quarterfinals Saturday, Nov. 29
California, Pa. 27, Bloomsburg 24 North Alabama 55, Delta State 34 Northwest Missouri State 45, Abilene Christian 36 Minnesota-Duluth 19, Grand Valley State 13, 2OT
Semifinals Saturday, Dec. 6
Minnesota-Duluth 45, California, Pa. 7 Northwest Missouri State 41, North Alabama 7
Championship Saturday, Dec. 13 At Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, Ala.
Minnesota-Duluth 21, Northwest Missouri State 14
NCAA DIVISION III
First Round Saturday, Nov. 22
Mount Union 56, Randolph-Macon 0 Hobart 33, Lycoming 15 Cortland State 31, Plymouth State 14 Curry 26, Ithaca 21 Franklin 62, Otterbein 45 Wabash 20, Case Reserve 17 Wheaton, Ill. 14, Trine 0 Washington & Jefferson 35, Christopher Newport 29 Wesley 20, Muhlenberg 0 North Central 44, Thomas More 23 Wisconsin-Whitewater 37, St. John's, Minn. 7 Wartburg 26, Wisconsin-Stevens Point 21 Monmouth, Ill. 42, Aurora 13 Millsaps 51, LaGrange 26 Mary Hardin-Baylor 38, Hardin-Simmons 35 Willamette 48, Occidental 33
Second Round Saturday, Nov. 29
Mount Union 42, Hobart 7 Cortland State 42, Curry 0 Wheaton, Ill. 59, Wabash 28 Franklin 38, North Central 28 Wartburg 30, Monmouth, Ill. 28 Washington & Jefferson 35, Millsaps 20 Mary Hardin-Baylor 46, Wesley 14 Wisconsin-Whitewater 30, Willamette 27
Quarterfinals Saturday, Dec. 6
Mount Union 41, Cortland State 14 Wheaton, Ill. 45, Franklin 28 Wisconsin-Whitewater 34, Wartburg 17 Mary Hardin-Baylor 63, Washington & Jefferson 7
Semifinals Saturday, Dec. 13
Mount Union 45, Wheaton, Ill. 24 Wisconsin-Whitewater 39, Mary Hardin-Baylor 13
Championship Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl Saturday, Dec. 20 At Salem Stadium Salem, Va.
Mount Union (14-0) vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater (13-1), 10 a.m.
NAIA
First Round Saturday, Nov. 22
Saint Francis, Ind. 58, Union, Ky. 3 Cumberlands, Ky. 31, Shorter 7 Sioux Falls 28, St. Ambrose 0 Langston 20, MidAmerica Nazarene 14 Morningside 65, Baker 27 Carroll, Mont. 35, Dickinson State 18 x-Northwestern Oklahoma 49, Friends 44 Lindenwood 65, Lambuth 48 x-official score: Friends 1, Northwestern Oklahoma 0, forfeit
Quarterfinals Saturday, Nov. 29
Saint Francis, Ind. 31, Cumberlands, Ky. 20 Sioux Falls 50, Langston 13 Lindenwood 34, Morningside 31 Carroll, Mont. bye
Semifinals Saturday, Dec. 6
Sioux Falls 24, Saint Francis, Ind. 6 Carroll, Mont. 38, Lindenwood 37
Championship Saturday, Dec. 20 At Barron Stadium Rome, Ga.
Sioux Falls (13-0) vs. Carroll, Mont. (13-0), 11 a.m.
Copyright (c) 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc
Rutgers Smashes Louisville, Awaits Bowl Fate
In a game that was not supposed to be close, Rutgers went into action, and quickly proved that they are both an underrated team, and a force to be reckoned with - to say the least.
They also proved how far Louisville has fallen over the past couple of seasons.
A 63-14 drubbing will tend to do this for the winning team, and for the pour souls on the other side of the field as well.
In this game, Rutgers was unstoppable. Mike Teel threw for a team record seven touchdowns in his final home game for Rutgers, and almost everybody played great football for Rutgers from the opening whistle.
Louisville was practically done before they even started. Going into the game struggling in every possible way, they were fighting to just keep their name in the discussion of possible bowl bound teams.
After this debacle though, who knows where Louisville will end up? Even more importantly, who knows if they will even get into a bowl after a terrible final regular season game?
These are questions that they have to worry about. Rutgers though, they do not have to worry if they will get into a bowl, they will just have to worry about where they might have to travel to play in a bowl game.
Currently on a six game winning streak after a terrible 1-5 start, Rutgers ended their regular season 7-5 overall, along with a 5-2 mark in Big East conference play.
Almost nobody saw this coming from the Scarlet Knights, not even their own fans.
Luckily though, Rutgers woke up on time, and saved their season.
Yes, they will not be going to a BCS Bowl game as they wanted to much earlier on in the season.
Yes, this team may not even make it into a bigger non-BCS bowl game either.
Then again, with the roll that they are on, maybe they will.
Most of the games count more towards the end of the season, and Rutgers not only has not lost for almost two months, they have also looked borderline unbeatable in these games as well.
While not a threat to be in the Top 25 (as of yet anyway), this is currently a team that nobody wants to play.
In addition, the talk is around them that they are a team that is much better than their 7-5 overall record.
Finally, all of college football is talking about the roll that they are currently on.
While there may be some more well known teams that they are competing for bowl placement with, some of these teams, such as Notre Dame for instance, have faded down the stretch, and have fallen hard while doing this as well.
This will not look good for some of these teams, even though they have tradition in their corner.
Tradition can only take a team so far though. College football is all about who is doing big things in the present day.
Over the past couple of seasons, the Scarlet Knights have turned themselves into a great football school, and have gotten in better bowls each and every year as a result.
What bowl will they end up in as a result in a couple of days?
A lot has to happen before this confusing question will get answered, but if a few teams, such as West Virginia to name one, lose this week, anything can happen.
While not actually predicting it, the Sun Bowl is a possible destination for this very dangerous football team.
Will they make it here? Only time will tell, but this much remains certain: even if they do not get into this bowl game, they will at least get into a game that the viewers recognize the name of.
For a program still on the rise, this is yet another step in the right direction.
One thing is for certain: whoever has to end up playing Rutgers will not be happy in the end, and they will have to play almost perfect football to take down this bunch in a bowl game in front of the entire nation.
Copyright 2008 Bleacher Report, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Harrington, Humber & Schommer Earn First-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Honors
ST. LOUIS, Mo.--North Dakota State University center Zach Harrington, linebacker Ramon Humber and free safety Nick Schommer were named to the 2008 All-Missouri Valley Football Conference first team on Monday, Dec. 1.
Nine Bison players were honored overall as wide receiver Kole Heckendorf, defensive end Joe Lardinois and tight end Jerimiah Wurzbacher were named to the second team, while offensive tackle Keith Buckman, linebacker Mike Maresh and running back Tyler Roehl received honorable mention.
The league's all-time leading rusher and the top defensive player on a league co-champion highlight this year's specialty awards as RB Herb Donaldson of Western Illinois and DL James Ruffin of UNI have earned this year's Missouri Valley Football Conference top player honors. Saluki head coach Dale Lennon, meanwhile, earns Bruce Craddock Coach of the Year award honors, becoming just the third coach in league history to win the award in his first year in the conference.
Northern Iowa, meanwhile, will continue its run in the FCS playoffs. The Panthers, a No. 3 seed in the 16-team field, will host New Hampshire on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. CT, in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I championship.
Harrington, a 6-foot-2, 295-pound senior from Carrington, N.D., was a three-year starter including 10 games this season. A Valley Football Offensive Lineman of the Week, he was in the middle of an offensive line that allowed North Dakota State to have a 1,000-yard rusher for sixth straight season in running back Tyler Roehl.
The Bison finished the regular season ranked second in the conference and 17th in the NCAA Division Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in rushing offense. NDSU was also second in the conference and 21st nationally in sacks allowed, and 8th nationally in tackles for loss allowed.
Humber, a 5-11, 222-pound senior from Brooklyn Park, Minn., led North Dakota State with 93 tackles including 57 solos, 12 tackles for loss, seven QB hurries, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interceptio. A three-year starter including all 11 games this season, he had five games with double-figure tackles including a season-high 12 tackles at Youngstown State (9-20-08).
A Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Humber made a career-high 10 solo tackles against YSU and finished the regular season tied for 19th nationally in that category. He finished his career ranked 2nd all-time at NDSU with 147 solo tackles.
Schommer, a 6-foot, 197-pound senior from Prescott, Wis., led the conference and tied for 27th nationally in passes defended. A Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week, he had a team-high three interceptions this season and finished tied for 3rd on NDSU career charts with 13 picks.
Schommer, a four-year starter, was 5th on the team with 54 tackles including 33 solos, 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He recorded a career-high 11 tackles at Youngstown State and had 10 at Wyoming. Schommer twice had career-high seven solo tackles at Wyoming and at Missouri State.
Humber and Schommer were an important part of a Bison defense that finished the regular season ranked 1st in the conference in total defense and pass defense. Nationally, NDSU was 1st in pass defense, 3rd in sacks, 7th in total defense, and 9th in third-down conversion defense.
Landing a spot on the second team, Heckendorf (6-2, 188, Sr., Mosinee, Wis.) recorded team-high 41 receptions for 744 yards and four TDs and led North Dakota State in receiving for the fourth straight season. He made a career-high nine receptions for 111 yards at Youngstown State. Heckendorf had a career best 179 yards and three TDs on eight receptions against Austin Peay. He caught a pass in 41 of 43 games during career and is the program’s all-time leader in receptions (178) and receiving yards (2,732).
Lardinois (6-4, 260, Sr., New Franken, Wis.) was fourth on the team with 56 tackles including 22 solos, 11.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. His sack and forced fumble led to a safety at Illinois State. Lardinois returned a fumble 17 yards for a TD at Missouri State. He recorded a career-high 11 tackles vs. Indiana State.
Wurzbacher (6-5, 250, Sr., Fargo, N.D.) was second on team with 25 receptions for 388 yards and five TDs. He had a season-high three catches in six games. Wurzbacher made three receptions for 32 yards and two TDs against Central Connecticut State. He recorded a season-high 84 yards on two receptions including long of 69-yard in the season opener against Austin Peay.
Receiving honorable mention was Buckman (6-5, 312, Jr., Belfield, N.D.) was an iron-man at right offensive tackle and started all 11 games for the second straight season.
Maresh (6-1, 230, Sr., Champlin Park, Minn.) was second on team with 82 tackles including 27 solos, 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He recorded a career-high 11 tackles at UNI and made 10 tackles in win over Southern Illinois. Maresh had three games with double-figure tackles.
Roehl (5-10, 232, Sr., West Fargo, N.D.) rushed 171 times for 1,053 yards and 13 TDs – his second straight year over 1,000 yards. A Valley Football Offensive Player of the Week, he reeled off a season best 80 yard TD run at Missouri State. Roehl rushed for over 100 yards six times this year and 12 times in career. He had a season-high 229 yards and three TDs on 30 carries at Illinois State. Roehl finished 8th all-time in rushing at NDSU with 2,512 yards.
North Dakota State finished the season with a 6-5 record including a 4-4 mark in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
(c) 2008 - North Dakota State University. All rights reserved.
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