SEVERAL WOLVES RECEIVE ALL-REGION FOOTBALL HONORS

ABERDEEN, SD - Following a record-setting season, several members of the the Northern State men’s football program have received all-region accolades from sources accross the nation. Following is a listing of those players and coaches honored following the 2003 season:

Jason Carson (5-10, 205, Sr., LB, Hacienda Heights, Calif.)
• Daktronics, Inc. Second Team
• Don Hansen’s Football Gazette Third Team

Carson, a preseason All-American by Football Gazette, led Northern State in tackles with 83 on the year from his linebacker position. The senior ranked second on the team with 13 tackles for loss and six sacks in his second season at NSU. He also picked off three passes, broke up three passes, recovered a fumble and forced a fumble. Carson received the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week award on Oct. 14 and was a first team member of the all-NSIC team in 2002.

Ronnie Cruz (6-1, 235, Sr., RB, Kelseyville, Calif.)
• Don Hansen’s Football Gazette Second Team
• Daktronics, Inc. Second Team

Cruz finished his season with 1,476 rushing yards and 19 total touchdowns. The senior guided Northern to the tenth best rushing attack in NCAA II and was a three-time NSIC Offensive Player of the Week. Cruz was also honored as a Football Gazette National Player of the Week on Oct. 14 after his 260-yard rushing performance against Minnesota, Crookston. The second-year Wolf ranked eighth in the nation in scoring and tenth in rushing yards. Cruz was also effective as a receiver this season grabbing 33 passes for 316 yards on the year. This is Ronnie’s first appearance on the all-region team.

Casey Knutson (6-4, 290, Sr., OT, Shakopee, Minn.)
• Don Hansen’s Football Gazette Second Team
• d2football.com Second Team

Casey earns the first all-region honors of his career following his first trip to the NSIC first team after receiving honorable mention status as a freshman and a junior. The senior anchored NSU’s steady offensive line that guided NSU to the top spot in the nation in total offense. Knutson was also an Academic All-District second team selection.

Toby Korrodi (6-4, 220, R-Fr., QB, San Antonio, Tex.)
• d2football.com Offensive Freshman of the Year

Korrodi was named as the NSIC Offensive Newcomer of the Year after setting school records for single season pass attempts (428), passing yards (3,528) and passing touchdowns (36). The redshirt freshman also set the NSU mark for single game passing yards with 502 against co-NSIC champion Concordia-St. Paul. Korrodi ranked sixth in the nation in total offense and 25th in pass efficiency. He was named as an NSIC Offensive Player of the Week twice and was also named as a Football Gazette National Player of the Week on Oct. 20.

Head Coach Ken Heupel (Sixth Season)
• d2football.com Coach of the Year honorable mention

Ken Heupel turned the Wolves around this season guiding them to a 7-4 finish and assembled a team that ranked as the top offense in Division II in 2003. The Wolves’ 7-4 record marks the fourth winning season in Heupel’s six-year tenure as head coach at Northern State.