NSIC All-Conference

November 8th, 2005
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Full NSIC Release

Northern State Football HAS 11 Named All-Conference
Latu Named Defensive New-Comer of the Year

St. Paul, Minn. - Northern State had eleven players named to the NSIC All-Conference teams. The Wolves also boast the NSIC Defensive New-Comer of the Year in free safety Una Latu. The Wolves finished the 2005 season with 6-5 overall record and a 5-2 mark in the NSIC, giving them a third place finish.

Una Latu, a junior from Honolulu, Hawaii was named First Team All-Conference at free safety. He was also named Defensive New-Comer of the Year after he finished fourth on the team in tackles with 58 with 28 of them being solo. He also had four interceptions and two blocked kicks. Latu’s four interceptions in conference games put him second in the conference. He also finished ninth in the league with six passes defended and was named NSIC Player of the Week on November 1st for his performance against Minnesota, Crookston.

 

Wade Ginsbach, a junior from Hill City, S.D. was named the First Team All-Conference team as a punt returner and second team as a wide receiver. In conference games Ginsbach averaged 11.7 yards per return in conference games which is first in the conference and 37th in the nation. Ginsbach was second in the nation in receptions per game with an average 7.4 per game and first in the conference in receptions per game (74 rec. in ten games). During conference games he was second in the conference in receiving yards per game with an average of 94.4. He was also fourth in the conference in all a purpose yards with an average of 129.9 yards per game. Ginsbach led the Wolves in scoring with eight touchdowns. He also helped the Wolves to rank third as a team in passing offense in the NSIC. Ginsbach was named player of the week for his 13 catch, 223 yard performance against Bemidji State on October 22nd. This 13 catches ties for fourth in division II for receptions in a single game and the 223 yards is 12th in the nation for receiving yards in a single game.

Veaila Tupou, a senior from Hauula, Hawaii was named to First Team All-Conference at linebacker. Tupou finished second on the team with 79 tackles and first on the team with 14 tackles for loss. Tupou finished seventeenth in the conference in tackles per game with five. He also had three sacks on the year. Tupou was named NSIC Player of the Week for his play against Nebraska-Kearney back in week three.

 

 

Vince Lauifi, (left) a senior from Spring Valley, Calif. and Dan Merkel, (far right) a senior from Mobridge, SD were named to the Second Team All-Conference while Victor Lauifi, (right) a senior from Spring Valley, Calif. was named honorable mention on the offensive line. These three individuals anchored an offensive line that helped the Wolves average 26.2 points per game and 346.5 yards of total offense per game. The Lauifi's have now been named second team and honorable mention the last two seasons respectively.

John Russell, a junior from Hayward, Calif. was named to the Honorable Mention All-Conference team at quarterback. Russell was named conference player of the week twice this past season. Once for his performance against Wayne State and the other time against Minnesota-Crookston. Russell finished third in the conference with an average of 234.7 yard per game passing in conference games. Russell also finished first in the conference in completion percentage as he connected on 174 of 266 passes (65.4%). Russell finished the year with 19 total touchdowns, 16 passing and 3 rushing. He also set the NSU record for completions in a game as he connected 34 times in the SW Minnesota State game. The 34 completions ties for 11th in the nation for pass completions in a single game.

Chuck Driscoll, a junior from Bolingbrook, Ill. was named to the Honorable Mention All-Conference team at running back. Driscoll had 627 yards on 142 carries and 5 touchdowns, which ranked him third in conference games. He also had 15 receptions for 77 yards on the season. He also ranked seventh in all purpose yards in the conference through the seven conference games. After four games at fullback, and limited touches, Driscoll was converted to running back for the rest of the season, where he powered his way through opposing team’s defenses.

 

Kaleb Bowman, a freshman from Labolt, S.D. was named to the Honorable Mention All-Conference team at defensive tackle. Bowman had 29 tackles on the season with nine being for a loss. He also had six sacks on the season which ranked him second in the NSIC.

 

 

 

Shawn Warren, a senior from Tyler, Texas was named to the Honorable Mention All-Conference team for his play at defensive back. Warren was tenth in the nation in passes defended with 1.6 per game. He was also first in the conference in passes defended with 14 during the season. After missing games early in the season due to injury, Warren racked up 25 tackles and had three intercepts from his cornerback position.

 

 

Stephon Betts, a sophomore from Grand Rapids, Mich. was named to the All-Conference Honorable Mention team at middle linebacker. Betts lead the Wolves with 81 tackles on the season with three of them being for a loss. In conference games Betts was eleventh with 5.8 tackles per game.

Northern State University (located in Aberdeen, S.D.) is an NCAA DII institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

Full NSIC Release

 

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