DE Larry English is Nagurski Player of the Week

LARRY ENGLISH EATING THE IDAHO QB FOR DINNER

Here is the complete release:

DALLAS (FWAA) – Northern Illinois end Larry English has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week for games the weekend of Sept. 22.

English, a 6-3, 254-pound junior from Aurora, Ill., had a school-record five sacks and five quarterback pressures in the Huskies' 42-35 victory at Idaho. He also caused a fumble that he recovered for a touchdown and registered a pass break up. Overall, he had 12 tackles, 10 unassisted and his sacks accounted for 34 yards in losses.

English already is on the 2007 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be presented to the best defensive player in college football on Dec. 3 by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.

Each week during the 2007 season the FWAA All-America Committee will select a national defensive player of the week from nominations made by the 11 Division I Bowl Subdivision Conferences and major independents.

Last season Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis won the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy during the 12th season the FWAA has named a Defensive Player of the Year.

What's good Joe?

"He made a lot of big plays for us at Idaho," said head coach Joe Novak. "Sometimes you can have five sacks and they might be at garbage time, but Larry's were all big and at key times. It was an outstanding game for him."

English's performance vaulted him to the top of the MAC's sack rankings and placed him second nationally. His 19 career sacks are tied for third on NIU's all-time list.