MIKE KLOBUCHER NAMED FERRIS STATE’S MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Bulldog Linebacker Also Recognized As Team’s Most Valuable Defensive Skill Player

Mike Klobucher was honored as the Ferris State's 2005 Most Valuable Player, which represents the second straight year in which a Bulldog linebacker has earned the prestigious award. (Photo by Sandy Gholston)

Klobucher, a two-time (2004-05) All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Honorable Mention Team pick, paced the Bulldogs in tackles for the second straight season with 109 total stops (45 solos) in 10 outings. The 6-2, 245-pound defensive co-captain was sidelined the 2005 season finale due at Saginaw Valley State (11/5) due to an injury. Along with his team-high tackles total, Klobucher recorded 6.5 tackles for a loss of 16 yards to go along with one pass breakup, a fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles. He presently ranks 14th among the NCAA Division II national leaders in total tackles (10.9 avg.) and 44th in solo stops (4.9 avg.).

Klobucher, who also was the squad’s Most Valuable Defensive Skill Player, posted double digits in tackles on five straight occasions (9/3-10/1) this season. He registered a season-best 17 tackles against Indianapolis (9/17). Klobucher’s team MVP honor represents the third consecutive season in which a linebacker has received the award. Middle linebacker Luke Piepkow earned MVP laurels in 2003 and outside linebacker Kevin Myers was chosen in 2004. Senior flanker Carlton Brewster (Grand Rapids/Creston) was named the Most Valuable Offensive Skill Player for the second consecutive season as he was the Bulldogs’ leading receiver three years in a row with a 60 catches for 921 yards and seven TD’s in 11 contests this fall. Brewster, a repeat (2004-05) all-conference first-team selection, finished his four-year career as Ferris State’s second all-time leading receiver with 3,184 career receiving yards and 25 TD’s on 234 receptions in 43 contests. He also placed fifth among the GLIAC’s career leaders with 2,923 yards in receiving on 213 catches in conference games only.

Carlton Brewster

Senior guard Jeff Williams (West Branch/Ogemaw Heights) was the Eric Bennett Memorial Award winner as the squad’s Most Valuable Offensive Lineman. The three-year starter at right guard played a key role this campaign in helping the Bulldogs earn a 45th-place national ranking in passing offense (231.2 ypg.), 75th in total offense (350.0 ypg.), and 83rd in scoring offense (23. 5 ppg.). Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Jake Visser (Coopersville) was named the Most Valuable Defensive Lineman as he racked up 98 total tackles (43 solos) in his initial collegiate season which was second highest on the team. He also posted eight tackles for a loss of 29 yards, which included four pass sacks for minus 22 yards, as an 11-game starter at left tackle. Visser currently is listed 44th among the national leaders in forced fumbles (0.27 avg.).

The Special Teams Player of the Year was presented to redshirt freshman punter-kicker Jim Yates (Goshen, Ind.), who averaged 39.5 yards in punting with 514 total yards on 13 attempts. He also accumulated 2,665 yards on 46 kickoffs for a 57.9 yards per kick average.

Senior quarterback Ryan Kaul (Clarkston) was chosen as the team's Most Improved Offensive Player after throwing for a career-high 1,924 yards and 14 TD's on 144-of-251 passing in nine contests. Kaul, who ranks 33rd nationally in total offense (244.9 ypg.) and 41st in passing efficiency (133.0 rating pts.), also rushed for a career-best 280 yards and four TD's this campaign. Redshirt freshman outside linebacker Jeff Hollandsworth (Livonia/Stevenson) garnered the Most Improved Defensive Player Award as a result of placing third in team tackles with 91 total (38 solos) in 11 games. He registered three tackles for a loss of five yards, which included two quarterback sacks for minus three yards, to go with two fumble recoveries in his initial collegiate campaign.

Nate Wruble

The Outstanding Offensive Rookie was presented to sophomore flanker Nate Fricke (Covert), who caught 35 passes for 401 yards with four TD's in 11 contests this season. Fricke's receiving numbers were both second highest among the Bulldogs' leading receivers this campaign. Redshirt frosh defensive end Kyle Walker (Grand Haven) was tabbed the Outstanding Defensive Rookie as the 10-game starter tied for sixth in team tackles with 52 stops (25 solos) in 11 encounters. He paced the Bulldogs with 10 tackles for a loss of 42 yards, which included three sacks for minus 21 yards. Walker also recovered one fumble while forcing another.

Senior split end Brandis Bowie (Lansing/Sexton) and junior cornerback Lenald Mombo (Chicago, Ill./Hales Franciscan) were co-honorees of the Coaches Award for outstanding leadership. Bowie finished third among FSU’s top receivers with 29 receptions for 372 yards and a career-high five TD’s as an 11-game starter. His 1,380 career receiving yards on 120 catches in 42 outings currently ranks ninth best among the program’s all-time receiving yardage leaders. Mombo’s 52 tackles (30 solos) in 11 contests this fall tied him for sixth highest on the team in his initial year at Ferris State. The 11-game starter also compiled 2.5 tackles for a loss of four yards, recovered two fumbles, and a pass theft for one yard.

Ryan Fritz

The Rich Currie EPEP (Every Player, Every Play) Award was given to senior cornerback Jim Skodak (Lennon/Corunna) and senior tight end Nate Wruble (Harbor Beach). Skodak tied for 11th place among the Bulldogs’ tackles leaders this fall with 28 stops (18 solos) in 11 contests to go along with a team-high tying three pass interceptions. Wruble, who missed four of the squad’s 11 games due to an injury, set personal career bests in receptions (seven) and receiving yards (93) this season.

Senior tight end-tackle Ryan Fritz (Elkton/Pigeon Laker) picked up the Bulldog Spirit Award, which is presented to a football student-athlete who best exemplies team spirit. Fritz, who started this season at tight end before being moved to left tackle as a result of injuries on the offensive line, caught five passes for a personal career-high 72 yards.

The Bill and Lynn Scheible Scholarship Award as Tomorrow’s Team Offensive Player of the Year was awarded to freshman split end Ron Hardy (Grand Rapids/Ottawa Hills) while outside linebacker Matt Ryan (Howell) received the Matt Sklom Memorial Award as Tomorrow’s Team Defensive Player of the Year. Both Hardy and Ryan were redshirted for the 2005 campaign.

The nine Bulldog seniors honored were split end Brandis Bowie, center Jamie Bretl (Elmhurst, Ill./York), flanker Carlton Brewster, split end Larry Burton (Lansing/Eastern), tight end-tackle Ryan Fritz, kicker-punter Justin Rudy (Saginaw/Heritage), tackle Phil Teeple (Bancroft/Durand), guard Jeff Williams, and tight end Nate Wruble.

Ferris State, under 11th-year head coach Jeff Pierce, concluded the 2005 season and its 97th year of varsity competition with a 3-8-0 overall record while compiling a eighth-place tying 3-7-0 GLIAC mark.

2005 Ferris State Football Award Recipients

Most Valuable Player --Mike Klobucher
Most Valuable Offensive Skill Player --Carlton Brewster
Most Valuable Defensive Skill Player --Mike Klobucher
Eric Bennett Memorial Award Most Valuable Offensive Lineman --Jeff Williams
Most Valuable Defensive Lineman --Jake Visser
Special Teams Player of the Year --Jim Yates
Most Improved Offensive Player --Ryan Kaul
Most Improved Defensive Player --Jeff Hollandsworth
Outstanding Offensive Rookie -- Nate Fricke
Outstanding Defensive Rookie -- Kyle Walker
Coaches Award (Outstanding Leadership) -- Brandis Bowie and Lenald Mombo
Bulldog Spirit Award -- Ryan Fritz
Rich Currie EPEP (Every Player, Every Play) -- Jim Skodak and Nate Wruble
Bill & Lynn Scheible Award For Tomorrow's Team Offensive Player of the Year -- Ron Hardy
Matt Sklom Memorial Award For Tomorrow's Team Defensive Player of the Year -- Matt Ryan