Newsfeed
Printer-Friendly ModeCards team success leads to individual post season accolades
13 players garner All-GLIAC awards after 9-3 season
November 23, 2009 —
While the season may be over after the first-round playoff loss to Nebraska- Kearney, it was a season that the Cardinals can look back on and be proud of.
A 9-3 record, including an 8-2 mark in the GLIAC that placed the Cards’ second in the conference left a number of SVSU players with postseason awards.
Senior linebacker John Jacobs was named the GLIAC’s “Defensive Back of the Year” after recording 135 tackles, good enough for first in the conference.
His 124 tackles during GLIAC contests was four more than the next closest competitor.
Not only did Jacobs have an outstanding senior campaign, his performance has been consistent ever since he stepped foot on the field.
Over the course of his career, Jacobs accumulated 397 tackles in GLIAC games, making him the GLIAC’s all-time leader in tackles.
His four interceptions during the season also tied him for most in the conference.
Fellow senior linebacker Mike LeVand was also named to the GLIAC first team defense.
For the season, LeVand finished with 107 total tackles, placing him fifth in the conference.
Joining Jacobs and LeVand on the first team defense was sophomore defensive back Carlton Downs.
He had 11 pass breakups to go along with two interceptions. His 5.3 average tackles per game placed him 35th in the GLIAC.
The three players helped anchor a defense that allowed 289 yards per game, second to only Grand Valley.
On the offensive side of the ball, senior tight end Galen Stone and senior offensive lineman Jordon DeRosia were named to the All-GLIAC first team.
Stone finished with a team high 49 receptions for 635 yards and six touchdowns. His 55 yards per game average in the GLIAC placed him tenth in the conference.
Senior defensive lineman Bryan Klobucar and senior defensive end Jordan Barley found themselves on the All-GLIAC second team.
Rounding out the individual accolades were junior quarterback Charles Dowdell, senior offensive lineman Jerry Wichman, junior running back Xavier Walker, senior defensive end Toby Goetz, senior punter Kurtis Fournier, and senior defensive lineman Rob Callaway. The six players were all named to the All-GLIAC honorable mention team.
While the Cardinals were a deep team with a number of seniors, Wichman believes SVSU will still be able to compete at a high level next season.
“There are a number of younger players that are waiting to step in and take on a larger role,” Wichman said. “Although there are a lot of guys that are graduating, I fully expect the team to be able do just as good as we did this season.”
Under second-year head coach Jim Collins, the Cardinals advanced to the playoffs for the first time since the 2005 season.
“There is no telling how far the team will be able to make it next season,” Wichman said. “By now, the guys that have been here the last two years all know what to expect out of the coaches. I expect them to do very well.”