Hall of Fame
Most productive FB (six-foot and 232-pound package) in Northern Illinois history. Dubbed "Carpentersville Cruncher" and "Baby Bull" for running style oft compared to runaway, 100-car freight train and with (then) school-record career 3,745 ground yards, 33 TDs, and 20 100-yard rushing games (1971-73). Became 18th player in major-college history to crack 3,000-yard career ground mark. Outgained peers Tony Dorsett (Pitt), Archie Griffin (Ohio State), and Jim Cappelletti (Penn State) for NCAA Division 1-A rushing title (1,719 yards in 1973). One of only four Huskie players with jersey (No. 31) retired (11-3-73). Made Century's Top Five, First-Team All-Century (1999) and All-Time Huskie Stadium Team (1995). Finished No. 6 in NCAA rushing (1,316 yards) as junior (1972). Produced three 200-yard games, made four Honorable Mention All-America squads (AP, UPI, Football News, and Kodak), earned program's first MAC Player of Week award, named on UPI National Backfield of Week twice (199 yards vs. Ball State and (then) NIU-record 246 vs. Illinois State in 1973), and played in North-South Shrine Game as senior. Ran for 710 yards as soph. Three-time team co-MVP (1971-73). Voted NIU quad-captain (1973). Drafted by NFL (sixth round by Minnesota Vikings) and WFL (seventh round by Chicago Fire) (1974). Rushed for five TDs vs. WFL Hawaiians (1974). Free agent with WFL Chicago Winds and Vikings. Preceded younger brother Scott in Huskie program, NFL, and NIU HOF. Three-sport all-loop pick at Dundee Crown High.
