Basketball - M Basketball - W Swimming - M Swimming - W In. Track & Field - M In. Track & Field - W


Baseball Golf - M Golf - W Softball Tennis - M Out. Track & Field - M Out. Track & Field - W


Cross Country - M Cross Country - W Football Golf - M Golf - W Soccer - M Soccer - W Tennis - W Volleyball


All-Time Champions Archives Awards Breast Cancer Awareness Championships Corporate Partners GLIAC History Media Links Members News Archives President's Trophy S.A.A.C. S.I.D. Page Schedule Change Request Staff Directory Other Links













Dec 16, 2008

Eight GLIAC Football Players Chosen To Play In 2009 Valero Cactus Bowl


KINGSVILLE, TEXAS - The Valero Cactus Bowl, an all-star game featuring NCAA Division II senior football players, announced the rosters of its two teams for January 9, 2009 game at Javelina Stadium on the campus of Texas A&M-Kingsville.

The Cactus Bowl was originally known as the Snow Bowl and was played in Fargo, North Dakota from 1994 through 2000.  Starting in 2001, the Snow Bowl was renamed the Cactus Bowl and has been played in Kingsville, Texas.  There have been over 100 players drafted into the NFL who played in the Cactus Bowl.  All net profits from the Cactus Bowl are donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children. The 2009 edition of the Cactus Bowl will feature 19 All-Americans and is headlined by six of the 24 Harlon Hill Trophy candidates; Ted Schlafke (Minnesota-Duluth), Brian McNeill (Nebraska-Omaha), Charly Martin (West Texas A&M), Corey Russell (Tusculum), Kevin McCabe (California-PA) and Mike Washington (West Chester).

The GLIAC will have eight players from six different schools participating on the East squad. Kickoff is set for 6:35 p.m. (CST).

For more information go to:  http://www.cactusbowl.org/

GLIAC Representatives:

Nate Hollins - Ashland University

Nate Hollins is a three-year starter and a four-year letterman. He was a first team All-GLIAC choice in 2008 and was a second team pick in 2007.  He was also a team captain in 2008.  Hollins has started for the last three years at right guard. Ashland advanced to the NCAA playoffs each of the last two years - that's a first for the school. In 2008, AU also won a postseason game for the first time in school history. Finally, Hollins has started for two years on one of the most prolific offenses in the nation.  Finally, this is the second straight year an AU offensive lineman has been named to the Cactus Bowl - center Vince Cashdollar played in the game last year.  

Jake Visser - Ferris State University

Visser, a two-time (2007-08) Ferris State MVP, led the Bulldogs this season with 105 total tackles (56 solo), 16.0 tackles forr loss (-71 yds.), and 7.5 sacks (-54 yds.). He capped off an outstanding career by being named among the 24 candidates for the 2008 Harlon Hill Award, which is annually presented to the top collegiate player at the Division II level. He is the only offensive or defensive lineman from across the nation to make the list. He concludes his four-year career ranking sixth among FSU's all-time tackle leaders with 395 career stops and fourth in sacks, with 27.5 total.

Dan Skuta - Grand Valley State University

Skuta leads the GLIAC and ranks fourth in the nation in QB sacks with 10.5 (-68). Skuta, a 2007 and 2008 First-Team All-GLIAC honoree, has tallied 38 total tackles (15 solo/23 assisted), four pass breakups, 11 QB hurries, recovered a fumble, forced a fumble and blocked one kick on the year. In addition, Skuta has a QB sack in 8-of-10 games played and a tackle for loss in 9-of-10 games played. Dan moved into first on the all-time GVSU sacks list and fifth on the all-time DII list in career QB sacks (32.5).

Sam Allen - Grand Valley State University

Allen was the anchor of one of the most balanced offensive lines in the country. A 2008 First-Team All-GLIAC honoree, he was a key figure in a Laker offense that averaged 228.4 yards per game rushing and 200.6 yards per game passing. In addition, Allen is part of an offensive line that has yielded just 13 QB sacks and averaged 429.1 yards per game and 6.9 yards per play.

Desi Mayner - Saginaw Valley State University

Mayner was selected to the GLIAC First Team All-Offense . He helped anchor an offensive line that allowed a GLIAC low 10 sacks and the school's first 1,000 yard rusher since the 2005 season. Desi was also selected to play in the East Coast Bowl as a member of the South Team.

Matt Black - Saginaw Valley State University

Black recorded 42 tackles on the season, with a season high eight at Northwood (Sept. 20). He had four pass breakups and ranked third in the GLIAC with five interceptions. He returned an interception 19 yards for a touchdown against Northern Michigan (Oct. 4). Black also earned GLIAC Player of the Week honors with four tackles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and a blocked punt in SVSU's 26-14 win at Ferris State on Nov. 8.

Dyshaun Edwards - Tiffin University

Dyshaun Edwards recently completed his record-setting Tiffin University career, earning First Team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors in the process. Edwards, a 5-11, 188 pound Marketing major from Cincinnati, Ohio (Withrow High School), finished his Dragons career second in career receptions (186), yards (2524), and touchdowns (22). He holds the single season receptions record with 91 catches and also holds the single game record with 14 catches. Edwards also played special teams as the Dragosn primary kick returner, setting a record in 2008 for longest punt return for a touchdown (92 yards). He finished 2008 with 91 receptions for 1074 yards (97.6 yards per game) and 10 touchdowns.
 

Dante Dunn - Wayne State University

Dunn, a senior safety, was tied-for-second in the GLIAC with nine pass break-ups, while finishing fourth in the conference in passes defended with 12. He was also tied-for-10th in the GLIAC in interceptions with three and tied-for-13th in the GLIAC in tackles with 82. He helped lead a resurgent Warrior defense that went from 125th (34.8 ppg) nationally in scoring defense to seventh (14.6 ppg).