Spartans Named Football All-Conference

AURORA, Ill. November 19, 2008 - The Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) announced the 2008 Football All-Conference teams, which include members of the Spartans football program. AU is currently 9-1 overall and 7-0 in the NAC on the 2008 season. AU Head Coach Rich Duncan was selected the NAC Football Coach of the Year.

The Spartans, winners of the inaugural Northern Athletics Conference football championship and a bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship, will travel to Monmouth College for the first round of 2008 NCAA Division III Football Championships. The Spartans will take on the Scots (10-0, 9-0 MWC) on Saturday, November 22, 2008. Game time is set for noon in Monmouth, IL.

NAC First-Team All-Conference honors went to 10 Spartans: senior defensive lineman Marcus Goedken (Sugar Grove, IL/Kaneland H.S.), senior defensive back and punter Matt Meyer (Yorkville, IL/Yorkville H.S.), senior offensive lineman Collin Smith (Charleston, IL/Charleston H.S.), senior tight end Aaron Harmon (Johnsburg, IL/Johnsburg H.S.), junior running back Ryne Reder (Aurora, IL/Marmion Academy), junior offensive lineman Adrian Kibiersza (Des Plaines, IL/Maine West H.S.), junior linebacker Mike Budzinski (Minooka, IL/Minooka H.S.), junior defensive back Tony Musaraca (Sugar Grove, IL/Kaneland H.S.) and sophomore quarterback Nate Peterson (Aurora, IL/Aurora Christian).

Second-Team All-Conference recognitions went to five Spartans: senior offensive lineman Casey Schmit (Jesup, IA/Jesup H.S.), senior offensive lineman Don Robinson (Vero Beach, FL/Vero Beach H.S.), senior wide receiver Cory Cowan (Peoria, IL/Notre Dame H.S.), junior defensive lineman Pat Funk (Morris, IL/Morris H.S.) and sophomore punt return specialist Sean Saglin (Milwaukee, WI/Pius XI H.S.).

Honorable Mention selections include three Spartans: senior linebacker Chris Jackowiak (Woodstock, IL/Woodstock H.S.), junior defensive lineman Mike DeVries (Princeville, IL/Princeville H.S.) and junior defensive lineman Will Johnson (Calumet City, IL/Thornton Fractional North H.S.).

The Spartans enter the 2008 playoffs averaging 356.2 yards per game of total offense, 193.6 on the ground (behind four all-conference offensive lineman), 162.6 through the air and scored 35.6 points per game, while the defensive unit (ranked No. 2 in Division III in total defense) allowed 12.4 points per game, 212.5 yards of total offense, 61.1 on the ground, 151.4 through the air and average 4.0 turnovers per game with a 2.2 turnover margin per game.

The Spartans are led offensively by Peterson (111-of-224 passing for 1,434 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions), Reder (172 rushes for 838 yards and seven touchdowns) and Cowan (31 catches for 503 yards and four touchdowns).

Defensively, AU is led by Budzinski (67 tackles, three interceptions and one quarterback sack), Meyer (54 tackles, nine interceptions and 11 pass break-ups), Goedken (51 tackles, 13 for loss, five and one-half quarterback sacks), Jackowiak (45 tackles and three interceptions), Musaraca (44 tackles, six interceptions and six pass break-ups) and Funk (41 tackles, 12-1/2 tackles for loss, seven and one-half quarterback sacks, one interception, three pass-break-ups and two forced fumbles).

AU has set numerous individual and team records this season including tying the school record for wins (nine), interceptions in a season (30), interceptions in a game (seven vs Wisconsin Lutheran), touchdown passes in a season (20 by Peterson), interceptions in a game (four by Musaraca), extra points in a game (nine by Ryan Subick) and season (48 by Subick) and consecutive extra points made (35 by Subick).

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