July 23, 2003

NSU’S CARSON NAMED AS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN BY FOOTBALL GAZETTE

ABERDEEN, SD - Northern State linebacker Jason Carson (Sr., Hacienda Heights, Calif.) has been named as an NCAA II preseason all-American by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. The announcement came from the publication today.

A total of 100 players - 50 offensive, 50 defensive - representing all four geographic regions of NCAA Division II were named to the 2003 Football Gazette preseason all-America team. A total of 66 schools have representation on the squad. Carson is one of six players from the NSIC to receive the honor and one of just four to receive the honor from South Dakota schools.

Last season, Carson was voted as the NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year and was the only Wolves player placed on the all-NSIC first team for 2002. As a junior, he was second on the squad with 79 tackles and led NSU with 15 tackles for loss. Carson also led Northern with five sacks, nine pass break ups, two fumbles recovered and led the NSIC with five forced fumbles. Carson also held the fifth spot in NCAA II in fumbles forced. Carson was named as the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week on Sep. 23 and was also honored as one of the nation’s top players in the same week by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette for his performance against Wayne State (Neb.) that saw him return a fumble and an interception for touchdowns.

Carson received postseason all-region second team honors from D2Football.com, Football Gazette and Daktronics, Inc. in 2002.

Carson and Northern State will look to improve on last year’s 4-7 mark when the Wolves open their 2003 season against Augustana (S.D.) College on Sep. 6 in Aberdeen.