FERRIS STATE'S KLOBUCHER INVITED TO PLAY IN EAST COAST BOWL

Bulldogs' Two-Time Most Valuable Player Earns Spot On North Team's Roster

Ferris State's Mike Klobucher has been invited to play in the Nov. 25th East Coast Bowl All-Star Game.

Ferris State University senior middle linebacker Mike Klobucher (Grand Haven/North Muskegon) has been invited to play in the 2006 East Coast Bowl, which will be held on Saturday, November 25, at 12 p.m. (EST) in Petersburg, Va.

The sixth annual all-star game contest, which features draft eligible seniors in NCAA Divisions I-AA, II and III along with NAIA institutions, will take place at the historic Cameron Field with the opening kickoff scheduled for 12:10 p.m. (EST). The game is co-sponsored by the City of Petersburg and the National Football Foundation/College Hall of Fame. All revenue generated will be used to award a scholarship for a high school senior who plans to play football at the Division I-AA, II or III level.

Aside from having the opportunity to showcase their ability in front of professional scouts, the players will also make inspirational visits to community centers, hospitals and convalescent centers.

"The growth of this game has amazed everyone involved," said East Coast Bowl VP/Recruiting Coordinator Jeremy Toombs. "Each year we see a dramatic improvement in the competition and the 2006 game should feature several NFL-caliber athletes."

Klobucher, a 2006 All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) First-Team honoree, will play at linebacker for the North team and is slated to wear blue jersey number 52.

The two-time (2005-06) Ferris State Most Valuable Player lead the Bulldogs in tackles for the third straight year with 92 total stops (47 solos) in 10 games this season. Klobucher, a 2006 FSU Coaches Award co-recipient, registered 6.5 tackles for a loss of 29 yards, which included 2.5 pass sacks for minus 19 yards. Klobucher also had two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and two quarterback hurries this fall as a 10-game starter while recording five double-digit single-game tackle performances. The 6-2, 245-pound linebacker presently ranks 25th nationally in total tackles (9.2 avg.) and 34th in solo stops (4.7 avg.).

Klobucher finished his four-year career ranking seventh among the school's all-time tackles leaders with 389 career stops (206 solos) in 42 contests.

Off the field, Klobucher was named to the National Football Foundation's (NFF) 2006 National Scholar-Athlete Class and is a finalist for the prestigious Draddy Trophy as the nation's top college football scholar, which will be presented to the winner at the 49th annual NFF Awards Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 5, in New York City. A two-time (2005-06) ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV First-Team selection, Klobucher has been the team's recipient of the FSU President's Academic Award the last two seasons (2005-06) for having the squad's highest grade point average.

Ferris State produced its best season since 1996 as the Bulldogs finished the 2006 campaign at 8-3-0 overall with a third-place 7-3-0 GLIAC mark.

Ticket information for the sixth annual East Coast Bowl is available by calling (804) 722-0141 or visiting www.petersburgsports.com.