Spartans Named Football All-Conference

AURORA, Ill. November 16, 2007 - The Illini-Badger Football Conference announced the 2007 All-Conference teams, which include members of the Spartans football program. AU finished the 2007 season with a 4-6 overall record and 4-3 in the IBFC. The 2007 season marked the final season for the Illini-Badger Football Conference. AU will move to the Northern Athletics Conference for football, joining the rest of the AU athletic teams in the all-sports conference.

AU sophomore running back Ryne Reder (Aurora, IL/Marmion Academy), was named the IBFC Most Outstanding Running Back and First-Team All-Conference. On the season, Reder rushed for 1,078 yards, becoming the sixth player in AU football to break the 1,000 yard mark in a single season. Reder had 239 rushes (an AU single season record) for the 1,078 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also was one-for-one passing for 12 yards and a touchdown.

Joining Reder as IBFC First-Team All-Conference are junior defensive lineman Marcus Goedken (Sugar Grove, IL/Kaneland H.S.), junior defensive back Matt Meyer (Yorkville, IL/Yorkville H.S.), sophomore offensive lineman Adrian Kibiersza (Des Plaines, IL/Maine West H.S.) and sophomore linebacker Mike Budzinski (Minooka, IL/Minooka H.S.). Kibiersza anchored the Spartan offensive line that rushed for 189 yards per game in IBFC action: Goedken, Meyer and Budzinski led the Spartan defense that allowed just over 14 points per game and forced 19 turnovers in IBFC play. Goedken had a team leading five and one-half quarterback sacks, Budzinski had a team leading 92 tackles and Meyer had three interceptions.

Being honored with Illini-Badger Second-Team All-Conference recognitions are senior running back Brent Harner (Sugar Grove, IL/Kaneland H.S.), senior defensive back Nick Gniedziejko (Mokena, IL/Lincoln Way East H.S.), sophomore defensive lineman Pat Funk (Morris, IL/Morris H.S.) and freshman return specialist Sean Saglin (Milwaukee, WI/Pius XI H.S.).

Illini-Badger Honorable Mention All-Conference selections include nine Spartans: senior defensive lineman Brandon McIntosh (Lauderhill, FL/American Heritage H.S.), junior offensive lineman Casey Schmit (Jesup, IA/Jesup H.S.), junior offensive lineman Collin Smith (Charleston, IL/Charleston H.S.), junior linebacker Chris Jackowiak (Woodstock, IL/Woodstock H.S.), sophomore defensive back Tony Musaraca (Sugar Grove, IL/Kaneland H.S.), sophomore defensive back Reed Sullivan (Decatur, IL/Maroa-Forsyth H.S.) and freshman return specialist Jeff Fellers (Pontiac, IL/Pontiac H.S.).

The Spartans averaged 293.9 yards per game of total offense, 188.7 on the ground, 105.1 through the air and scored 23.1 points per game in IBFC play, while the defensive unit allowed 14.3 points per game, 244.6 yards of total offense, 143.6 on the ground and 101.0 through the air.

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