Dec. 26, 2008

By Brad Taylor
NIU Media Relations

As a fan of NFL star Randy Moss, wide receiver Matt Simon has seen plenty of big plays and spectacular catches.

However, Simon isn't one to sit around and admire other players highlight tapes. That's because over the last three seasons, Simon has been busy making his own. Whether it's his record setting performances or unforgettable touchdown catches, Simon has firmly placed his name among the best receivers in NIU history. Just one look at the record books tells the story.

Catching 52 passes for 969 yards in 2007, the 6-2, 210-pounder set the NIU school record for most receiving yards as a junior, surpassing former Huskie standout and Tennessee Titans wide receiver Justin McCareins. Simon was on the receiving end of the fourth longest touchdown reception in NIU history, a 92-yard strike from Dan Nicholson at Central Michigan, Sept. 29, 2007. With five catches of over 46 yards in 2007, Simon led the Huskies with an astounding 18.6 yards-per-reception, which ranks fifth best in NIU single season history.

Simon, however, cannot explain his knack for consistently producing big plays. According to the redshirt senior, he is NIU's Johnny-on-the-spot.

"Luck," said Simon when asked about his big-play ability. "We have an ongoing joke in the locker room that I'm king of blown coverages. I just find a way to get lost apparently. It's really nothing I do personally."

Luck or not, Simon is one of NIU's most accomplished wide receivers. Considering that the Farmington, Minn., native had caught at least one pass in 20 consecutive games earlier this season, Simon could be labeled the most consistent and dangerous target for NIU since the 2006 season.

A first team all-state selection as a senior at Farmington High School, Simon had numerous scholarship offers to play college football but a local connection at NIU helped make his decision.

"My high school coach's brother knew an NIU coach at the time and he sent my tape in," Simon said. "University of Minnesota recruited me a little bit but Wyoming and NIU were my final choices. I visited both schools and ultimately decided I wanted to be a Huskie."

Simon would make an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2004, recording two tackles over eight games as a member of the NIU special teams units. One of only three true freshmen to letter, Simon was set to increase his role on offense as a sophomore in 2005.

Unfortunately, a foot injury the second week of summer camp sidelined the wideout for the entire 2005 season. But Simon was able to improve the mental part of his game from the time on the sidelines.

"I was pretty disappointed about the injury but it was a great learning experience," Simon said. "I was able to sit and watch guys like Sam Hurd and learn from some of the older receivers. I also got my redshirt year back so it ended up being very beneficial in the long run, even though I hated it at the time."

The 2006 season was extremely memorable for Simon. Seeing action in all 13 games, including four starts, the sophomore caught 20 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown.

Simon's first career touchdown was a 37-yarder from Phil Horvath against Temple on Homecoming, Oct. 21. Simon's catch at the end of the first quarter gave NIU a 10-0 lead and the Huskies would eventually cruise to an easy 43-21 victory.

"I remember my first touchdown like it was yesterday," Simon said. "It was in the corner of the endzone and the play was a complete scramble. Temple left me wide open but I'll take it."

Simon was the third-leading receiver among NIU wideouts during the 2006 season and averaged 15.7 yards-per-catch. His yard-per-catch average was the best among all Huskie regulars and was aided by a 62-yard reception from Dan Nicholson in NIU's loss to TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl.

Simon's big play was a much-needed bright spot in the loss and was a sign of even bigger things to come in 2007.

Amassing the sixth-highest single-season yardage total in NIU history in 2007, Simon was named to the All-Mid-American-Conference second team by Phil Steele Magazine. Simon ranked 32nd nationally with 80.75 receiving-yards-per-game and topped the 100-yard mark four times.

Simon accounted for an incredible 40 percent of the Huskies passing yardage and recorded the sixth 200-yard receiving game in school history at Central Michigan, when he exploded for 205 yards on just nine receptions.

Simon also recorded his first multi-touchdown game at Navy, Nov. 17, when he caught a 46-yard pass from Ryan Morris to open the scoring and a 24-yard strike to close the Midshipmen lead to 28-21 late in the third quarter.

When asked about his memorable junior season, Simon doesn't credit improved strength, more precise route running or better hands. He tributes his success to the new wide receivers coach, former NIU star P.J. Fleck.

"Coach Fleck was hired that winter and he really turned our entire position around," Simon said. "He has taught all of the wide receivers to not only be better players but better people. I contribute a lot of my success during that season to his influence."

Simon's extraordinary season, along with his constant positive guidance of younger players, earned him a spot on head coach Jerry Kill's eight-member Leadership Council for the 2008 season.

Simon considers the award a tremendous honor and thinks the council has helped the Huskies succeed this season.

"For my teammates to recognize the hard work that I have put in over the years meant a lot," Simon said. "It is a great honor and by coach Kill giving each position its own leader, it increases our responsibility amongst our groups. We are asked to look after the other 10, 12 members of our position and it gives the younger guys something to strive for in the future."

Simon earned his bachelors degree in management in May and is currently working on his master's degree. Simon said he would like to get into coaching once his playing days are over, a decision motivated my Fleck's presence.

"I never really thought of coaching until I met coach Fleck," Simon said. "He has helped me grow so much as a football player and coaching is something I want to do. I want to help young kids the way coach Fleck helped me."