FERRIS STATE’S MATT MCCOY TO PLAY IN THE CACTUS BOWL

Lineman To Showcase Talents In Annual Division II All-Star Game

Senior offensive tackle Matt McCoy (Charlotte) of the Ferris State University football team has been selected to participate in the fourth annual Whataburger Cactus Bowl All-Star Game to be held Friday, Jan. 9, 2004 at Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s Javelina Stadium in Kingsville, Texas. Starting time is scheduled for 8 p.m. (EST).

The Whataburger Cactus Bowl, formerly known as the Snow Bowl and played in Fargo, N.D., features the matchup of the nation's top NCAA Division II football seniors and will be played in an East/West Team format.

Ferris State's Matt McCoy has been invited to compete in the 2004 Cactus Bowl.

McCoy is among 39 senior standouts selected to the East All-Star Team, which includes nine individuals from other Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) institutions. Along with McCoy, the other five conference players on offense are tackle Silas Johnson from Northwood, Wayne State running back Craig Duppong, and wide receiver Cesare Manning of Indianapolis along with a pair of Saginaw Valley State wide receivers in Ruvell Martin II and Glenn Martinez. Northwood defensive end Dedrick Roper and Ashland defensive back Toure Carter are the lone GLIAC representatives on defense. Kicker Eric Houle from Saginaw Valley State was among two specialists named to the East squad.

A 2003 All-GLIAC Second-Team selection, McCoy was the recipient of the Eric Bennett Memorial Award as Ferris State’s Most Valuable Offensive Lineman this season. A two-year starter at right tackle, the 6-8, 290-pound lineman started all 11 FSU contests this fall and played an integral role in helping the Bulldogs average 348.5 yards a game in total offense. The 2003 team offensive co-captain attained honorable mention all-conference accolades and GLIAC All-Academic Team honors last season. McCoy was also a co-recipient of FSU’s Coaches Award in 2002 and started in nine of 10 outings that campaign after being moved to tackle from tight end as a result of injuries on the offensive line.

As an 11-game starter at tight end in 2001, McCoy totaled eight receptions for 110 yards (13.8 yards per catch) and two touchdowns. His season receiving yardage ranked sixth highest on the squad while his reception total tied for eighth best. As a redshirt freshman in 2000, McCoy received action in all 11 contests at defensive tackle.

McCoy joins nine former Ferris State standouts – Rich Eash (1994), Ed Philion (1994), Chadd Richard (1995), Jerry Prys (1996), Doc Proctor (1999), Dennis Strey (1999), Dave Zuiderveen (2000), Clarence Coleman (2001) and DeRen Ellis (2003) to have been Cactus Bowl Division II All-Star Game participants. McCoy will be the second Bulldog offensive linemen to compete in the event as tackle Dennis Strey was the first.

Ferris State finished the 2003 campaign at 6-5 overall, which included a 5-5 (fourth-place tie) GLIAC record.

A schedule of the 2004 Cactus Bowl week's events along with the East and West Team rosters is available at www.cactusbowl.com.