The Championship Subdivision News Log

Founded in 1985 as the Gateway Football Conference, the Missouri Valley Football Conference is celebrating its 25th season of FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) football during the 2009 season. As part of a season-long celebration, the conference is paying tribute to its all-time greats by selecting a Silver Anniversary Team. Also selected was an NFL Greats and Institutional Greats team.

Team composition for the league’s Silver Anniversary Team was determined by a committee and fan voting. Nearly 2,500 votes were cast on-line from July through mid-October. The conference office, with consultation from institutional personnel, compiled the list of honorees on the ballot.

In addition, fans voted to determine an Offensive and Defensive MVP of the league’s “All-Select NFL Team.” UNI’s Kurt Warner, currently with the Arizona Cardinals, and Western Illinois’ Rodney Harrison, who retired this season after an illustrious career, were tabbed Offensive and Defensive MVPs, respectively. Warner, a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time NFL MVP, and Super Bowl XXXIV MVP, entered the 2009 campaign ranked No. 3 all-time in career passer rating, completing 2,327-of-3,557 passes for 28,591 career yards and 182 career TDs. Harrison, meanwhile, is the only player in NFL history with 30+ sacks and 30+ interceptions, is a two-time Pro Bowler, and played on four Super Bowl teams in his career.

Among the 67 players selected to the Silver Anniversary Team, 24 earned first-team honors three times, including UNI’s Ty Talton, who remains the only student-athlete in league history to receive first-team designation four-straight seasons. During the league’s first 24 seasons, eight student-athletes won back-to-back Offensive or Defensive Player of the Year plaudits, and each of those players is represented. LB Boomer Grigsby of Illinois State remains the only player in league history to win the MVFC’s top honor three times, and he headlines a list of four Redbirds on the Silver Anniversary Team.

In addition, the league is honoring an “institutional greats” category, recognizing student-athletes who played at current member schools while those schools were not a part of the league.

UNI, which has more conference championships (14) and playoff appearances (14) than any other team in league history, has the most players on the Silver Anniversary Team, with 19. Western Illinois, which has the second-most in both categories, also has the second-most honorees on the team (16). All nine current members, plus two past members, have representation on the team. In the league’s first 24 seasons, league members have combined for two national championships, four national championship game appearances, and 14 national semifinal trips. Valley Football student-athletes and coaches have earned 19 different National Player or Coach of the Year designations, and the league had a myriad of student-athletes who collected All-America honors and earned national academic distinction.

Membership Summary
Eastern Illinois (1985-95) 11 years
Illinois State (1985-present) 25th year
Indiana State (1986-present) 24th year
Missouri State (1985-present) 25th year
North Dakota State (2008-present) 2nd year
UNI (1985-present) 25th year
South Dakota State (2008-present) 2nd year
Southern Illinois (1985-present) 25th year
Western Illinois (1985-present) 25th year
Western Kentucky (2001-06) 6 years
Youngstown State (1997-present) 13th year

Silver Anniversary Team

OFFENSE (active players do not include honors or statistics from 2009 season)
Pos., Name School Years

QB Ryan Helming UNI 1997-00
3-time all-league (HM-1998, 1st-1999, 1st-2000); 2-time All-American (2nd-1999, 1st-2000); No. 1 all-time pass yards (9,089), TDs (77)

QB Russ Michna Western Illinois 2000-03
2-time all-conference (1st-2002, 1st-2003); 2-time Offensive Player of the Year (2002, 2003)

QB Sean Payton Eastern Illinois 1985-86
2-time all-conference (1st-1985, 1st-1986); 2-time All-American (HM-1985, HM-1986); 1-time Offensive Player of the Year (1986)

QB Joel Sambursky Southern Illinois 2002-05
4-time all-league (HM-2002, 2nd-2003, 1st-2004, 1st-2005); 1-time Offensive Player of the Year (2004); No. 6 all-time pass yards (7,894) No. 3 all-time TD passes (65); No. 3 total offense (8,994)

QB Eric Sanders UNI 2004-07
3-time all-league (2nd-2005, 2nd-2006, 1st-2007); 1-time All-American (3rd-2007); No. 1 all-time completions (714), percentage (.6959) No. 2 all-time passing yards (9,012) and TDs (70)

QB DeAndre Smith Missouri State 1987-90
2-time all-conference (1st-1989, 1st-1990); 1-time All-American (1st-1990); 2-time Offensive Player of the Year (1989, 1990); No. 1 all-time rushing TDs for QB (36); Gateway “Offensive Player of the Decade (1985-94)”

QB Kurt Warner UNI 1990-93
1-time all-conference (1st-2003); 1-time Offensive Player of the Year (1993)

RB Herb Donaldson Western Illinois 2005-08
3-time all-league (2nd-2006, 1st-2007, 1st-2008); 2-time All-American (3rd-2007, 1st-2008); 1-time Offensive Player of the Year (2008); No. 1 all-time rushing (4,746); No. 7 all-time scoring (308); No. 3 all-time rushing TDs (50)

RB Willie High Eastern Illinois 1992-95
3-time all-conference (1st-1993, 1st-1994, 1st-1995); 2-time All-American (HM-1994, 1st-1995); No. 5 all-time rushing yards (4,231)

RB Corey Lewis UNI 2005-08
2-time all-league (1st-2007, 2nd-2008); 2-time All-American (HM-2007, HM-2008); No. 8 all-time rushing (4,003)

RB P.J. Mays Youngstown State 2000-02
2-time all-conference (1st-2001, 1st-2002); 2-time All-American (HM-2001, 2nd-2002); 1-time Offensive Player of the Year (2001); No. 10 all-time rushing (3,476); No. 7 all-time rushing TDs (42)

RB Aaron Stecker Western Illinois 1997-98
2-time all-conference (1st-1997, 1st-1998); 2-time All-American (1st-1997, HM-1998); 1-time Offensive Player of the Year (1997)

RB Arkee Whitlock Southern Illinois 2004-06
3-time all-league (2nd-2004, 1st-2005, 1st-2006); 2-time All-American (1st-2005, 1st-2006); No. 1 all-time all-purpose yards (5,602); No. 2 all-time TDs scored (52); No. 4 all-time rushing (4,242)

RB David Wright Indiana State 1992-95
4-time all-league (1st-1992, 1st-1993, 2nd-1994, 1st-1995); 1-time All-American (2nd-1992); No. 4 all-time all-purpose yards (5,341)

TE J.R. Niklos Western Illinois 1998-01
3-time all-conference (HM-1999, 1st-2000, 1st-2001); 2-time All-American (HM-2000, HM-2001)

TE Brad St. Louis Missouri State 1996-99
3-time all-conference (1st-1997, 1st-1998, 1st-1999); 1-time All-American (1st-1999)

WR Eddie Berlin UNI 1997-00
4-time all-conference (HM-1997, 2nd-1998, 2nd-1999, 1st-2000); 1-time All-American (1st-2000); No. 1 all-time receptions (249); No. 2 all-time receiving yards (3,735); No. 3 all-time TD receptions (34)

WR Cornell Craig Southern Illinois 1996-99
3-time all-conference (2nd-1997, 2nd-1998, 1st-1999); 1-time All-American (1st-1999); 1-time Offensive Player of the Year (1999); No. 3 all-time receptions (207); No. 4 all-time receiving yards (3,508); No. 2 all-time TD receptions (37)

WR Mike Furrey UNI 1997-99
3-time all-league (1st-1997, 1st-1998, 1st-1999); 3-time All-American (2nd-1997, 2nd-1998, 1st-1999); No. 2 all-time receptions (242); No. 3 all-time receiving yards (3,544); No. 5 all-time TD receptions (27)

WR Laurént Robinson Illinois State 2003-06
2-time all-league (1st-2005, 2nd-2006); 1-time All-American (1st-2005); 1-time Offensive Player of the Year (2005); No. 5 all-time receptions and yards (192 for 3,007)

WR/RS Kenny Shedd UNI 1989-92
3-time all-league (2nd-1990, 1st-1991, 1st-1992); 2-time All-American (2nd-1991, 1st-1992); No. 10 all-time receiving yards (2,243); No. 7 all-time TD receptions; No. 1 all-time TD returns (punts, kickoffs) (7)

WR Dedric Ward UNI 1993-96
3-time all-conference (1st-1994, 1st-1995, 1st-1996); 3-time All-American (HM-1994, 1st-1995, 1st-1996); 2-time Offensive Player of the Year (1995, 1996); No. 1 touchdown receptions (43); No. 6 all-time receptions (176); No. 1 all-time receiving yards (3,876)

RS Craig Turner Southern Illinois 2004-07
3-time all-conference (1st-2005, 1st-2006, 1st-2007); 1-time All-American (HM-2007); No. 1 all-time punt return yards (1,117); No. 3 all-time returns for TD (5)

OL Buster Ashley Western Kentucky 2001-04
4-time all-conference (2nd-2001, 1st-2002, 1st-2003, 1st-2004); 3-time All-American (1st-2002, 1st-2003, 1st-2004)

OL Stafford Davis Illinois State 2002-05
4-time all-conference (2nd-2002, 2nd-2003, 1st-2004, 1st-2005); 1-time All-American (1st-2005)

OL Fred Layne Western Illinois 2001-04
3-time all-conference (1st-2002, 1st-2003, 1st-2004); 1-time All-American (2nd-2003)

OL Brad Meester UNI 1996-99
4-time all-conference (2nd-1996, 2nd-1997, 1st-1998, 1st-1999); 2-time All-American (2nd-1998, 1st-1999)

OL Chad Rinehart UNI 2004-07
3-time all-conference (1st-2005, 1st-2006, 1st-2007); 2-time All-American (2nd-2006, 1st-2007)

OL Brad Samsa Youngstown State 2005-08
3-time all-conference (2nd-2006, 1st-2007, 1st-2008); 2-time All-American (2nd-2007, 1st-2008)

OL Rich Seubert Western Illinois 1997-00
2-time all-conference (HM-1999, 1st-2000); 1-time All-American (2nd-2000)

OL Frank Winters Western Illinois 1985-86
1-time all-conference (1st-1986); 1-time All-American (1st-1986)

PK Travis Brawner Missouri State 1997-99
3-time all-conference (1st-1997, 1st-1998, 1st-1999); 2-time All-American (1st-1997, HM-1998)

PK Craig Coffin Southern Illinois 2002-06
2-time all-conference (2nd-2004, 2nd-2006); 1-time All-American (1st-2006); No. 1 all-time scoring (379); No. 6 all-time field goals (50)

PK Brian Mitchell UNI 1989-91
3-time all-conference (1st-1989, 1st-1990, 1st-1991); 2-time All-American (1st-1990, 1st-1991); No. 2 all-time field goals (59)

PK Taylor Rowan Western Illinois 2005-08
2-time all-league (1st-2007, 1st-2008); 1-time All-American (1st-2008); No. 1 all-time consecutive PATs (129); No. 3 all-time PATs (160)

DEFENSE (active players do not include honors or statistics from 2009 season)
Pos., Name School Years

DL Danny Batten South Dakota State 2008-present
1-time all-conference (1st-2008); 1-time All-American (HM-2008)

DL Dan Brandenburg Indiana State 1992-95
3-time all-conference (1st-1993, 1st-1994, 1st-1995); 2-time All-American (1st-1994, 1st-1995); No. 4 all-time sacks (32)

DL Harry Deligianis Youngstown State 1997
1-time all-conference (1st-1997); 1-time All-American (1st-1997); 1-time Defensive Player of the Year (1997)

DL Shannon Jackson Indiana State 1996-99
4-time all-conference (HM-1996, 1st-1997, 2nd-1998, 1st-1999); 2-time All-American (3rd-1997, 3rd-1999); No. 10 all-time sacks (24)

DL James Jones UNI 1987-90
3-time all-conference (HM-1988, 1st-1989, 1st-1990)

DL John Jurkovic Eastern Illinois 1986-89
3-time all-league (1st-1986, 1st-1988, 1st-1989); 3-time All-American (HM-1986, 1st-1988, 1st-1989); 2-time Defensive Player of the Year (1988, 1989)

DL Kyle Mitchell Indiana State 2002-05
4-time all-conference (HM-2002, 1st-2003, 1st-2004, 1st-2005); No. 8 all-time sacks (25.5)

DL Mike O’Brien Western Illinois 2000-03
3-time all-conference (1st-2001, 1st-2002, 1st-2003); 2-time All-American (HM-2001, 1st-2003)

DL James Ruffin UNI 2006-present
2-time all-conference (1st-2007, 1st-2008); 1-time All-American (1st-2008); 1-time Defensive Player of the Year (2008)

DL Mychal Savage Youngstown State 2005-07, present
2-time all-conference (1st-2006, 1st-2007); 1-time All-American (3rd-2007)

LB Andre Allen UNI 1991-94
3-time all-league (HM-1992, 1st-1993, 1st-1994); 2-time All-American (2nd-1993, 1st-1994); 2-time Defensive Player of the Year (1993, 1994)

LB William Freeney UNI 1990-92
3-time all-league (HM-1990, 1st-1991, 1st-1992); 2-time All-American (2nd-1991, 1st-1992); 2-time Defensive Player of the Year (1991, 1992)

LB Boomer Grigsby Illinois State 2001-04
4-time all-league (HM-2001, 1st-2002, 1st-2003, 1st-2004); 3-time All-American (1st-2002, 1st-2003, 1st-2004);
3-time Defensive Player of the Year (2002, 2003, 2004); No. 1 all-time career tackles (580)

LB Edgerton Hartwell Western Illinois 1998-00
3-time all-league (2nd-1998, 1st-1999, 1st-2000); 2-time All-American (1st-1999, 1st-2000); 2-time Defensive Player of the Year (1999, 2000); No. 7 all-time tackles (472); Buck Buchanan Award Winner (2000)

LB James Milton Western Illinois 1995-98
2-time all-league (2nd-1997, 1st-1998); 1-time All-American (1st-1998); 1-time Defensive Player of the Year (1998); Buck Buchanan Award Winner (1998)

LB Bryce Paup UNI 1986-89
3-time all-conference (2nd-1987, HM-1988, 1st-1989); 1-time All-American (1989)

LB Matt Pedersen UNI 1996-99
3-time all-conference (1st-1997, 1st-1998, 1st-1999); 3-time All-American (2nd-1997, 2nd-1998, 2nd-1999)

LB Lee Russell Western Illinois 2000-03
4-time all-conference (2nd-2000, 2nd-2001, 1st-2002, 1st-2003); 2-time All-American (HM-2001, 1st-2003); No. 6 all-time tackles (475)

LB James Terry Youngstown State 2004-07
3-time all-conference (1st-2005, 1st-2006, 1st-2007); 1-time All-American (HM-2007)

LB Jason Williams Western Illinois 2005-08
3-time all-conference (HM-2006, 1st-2007, 1st-2008); 2-time All-American (1st-2007, 1st-2008); No. 1 all-time forced fumbles (14)

DB Bryan Cox Western Illinois 1987-90
3-time all-league (2nd-1987, 1st-1989, 1st-1990); 1-time All-American (1990); Gateway “Defensive Player of the Decade (1985-94)”

DB Rodney Harrison Western Illinois 1991-93
2-time all-conference (1st-1992, 1st-1993); 2-time All-American (2nd-1992, 1st-1993)

DB Ray McElroy Eastern Illinois 1991-94
3-time all-conference (1st-1992, 1st-1993, 1st-1994); 1-time All-American (3rd-1994)

DB Alexis Moreland Southern Illinois 2001-04
3-time all-conference (1st-2002, 1st-2003, 1st-2004); 3-time All-American (2nd-2002, 1st-2003, 1st-2004)

DB Nick Schommer North Dakota State 2008
1-time all-conference (1st-2008); 1-time All-American (3rd-2008)

DB Dwyte Smiley Youngstown State 1997-99
3-time all-conference (1st-1997, 1st-1998, 1st-1999); 2-time All-American (2nd-1997, 1st-1998, HM-1999)

DB Jeff Smith Illinois State 1985-88
3-time all-conference (1st-1985, 1st-1986, 1st-1987); 2-time All-American (HM-1986, 2nd-1987); No. 2 all-time career interceptions (21)

DB Adrion Smith Missouri State 1990-93
3-time all-conference (1st-1991, 1st-1992, 1st-1993); 2-time All-American (2nd-1991, 1st-1993); No. 1 all-time interceptions (24)

DB Ty Talton UNI 1995-98
4-time all-league (1st-1995, 1st-1996, 1st-1997, 1st-1998); 2-time All-American (2nd-1996, HM-1997); No. 3 all-time interceptions (18)

P Brian Claybourn Western Kentucky 2001-04
4-time all-conference (2nd-2001, HM-2002, 1st-2003, 1st-2004); 1-time All-American (3rd-2004); No. 8 all-time punting average (40.92)

P Tim Mosley UNI 1990-93
3-time all-conference (2nd-1991, 1st-1992, 1st-1993); 1-time All-American (3rd-1993)

P Mike Scifres Western Illinois 1999-02
3-time all-league (1st-2000, 1st-2001, 1st-2002); 3-time All-American (1st-2000, HM-2001, 1st-2002); No. 1 all-time punting average (43.35)

“All-Select NFL Team.”

OFFENSE (last year indicates final year of college)
Pos., Name School Last Year Pro Teams Dates of Pro Career

QB Kurt Warner UNI 1993 Rams, Giants, Cardinals 1998-present
4-time Pro Bowler; 2-time NFL MVP; Super Bowl XXXIV MVP; 3rd all-time in career passer rating; 2,327-of-3,557 for 28,591 career yards and 182 career TDs

RB Brandon Jacobs Southern Illinois 2004 Giants 2005-present
Giants featured back in 2007 and 2008; 555 carries for 2,620 yards and 35 TDs in first 4 years in the league

RB Aaron Stecker Western Illinois 1998 Buccaneers, Saints 2000-08
2,655 career rushing/receiving yards, 16 career starts in 9-year career

RB Aveion Cason Illinois State 1998 Lions, Cowboys, Rams 2001-present
1,217 career rushing/receiving yards in 8-year career

FB Jeremi Johnson Western Kentucky 2002 Bengals 2003-present
Started 50 games for the Bengals in his first five years in the league

WR Don Beebe Western Illinois 1987 Bills, Panthers, Packers 1989-97
Played on more Super Bowls than any other league player (6), 219 career catches for 3,416 yards and 23 TDs

WR Dedric Ward UNI 1996 Jets, Miami, Ravens, N.E., Dallas 1997-04
33 starts, including all 16 games for the Jets in 2000; 167 career catches for 2,307 yards and 12 TDs

WR Mike Furrey UNI 1999 Rams, Lions, Browns 2003-present
Led the NFL in receiving with 98 catches for 1,086 yards in 2006; 198 catches for 2,128 yards and 7 TDs in first six years

WR Kenny Shedd UNI 1992 Jets, Bears, Raiders, Redskins 1993-00
Was kick returner and wideout for five NFL teams over a seven-year career

WR Frisman Jackson Western Illinois 2001 Browns 2002-05
In four seasons with the Browns, caught 40 passes, including 24 for 287 yards and a TD in 2004

WR Eddie Berlin UNI 2000 Titans, Bears 2001-05
Played 5 years and in 62 games; best season was in 2004 with the Titans - 20 catches for 278 yards

WR Fabien Bownes Western Illinois 1994 Bears, Seahawks 1995-01
Played in 70 games over six seasons with the Bears and Seahawks, had 12 catches for 146 yards in his second season with Bears

TE Damon Jones Southern Illinois 1996 Jaguars 1997-01
Played in 40 games over five seasons with 22 starting assignments; 11 career TDs

TE Ryan Hannam UNI 2001 Seahawks, Cowboys 2002-06
Started 5 games for the Seahawks during the 2005 season and was on team for Super Bowl XXL

OL Brad Meester UNI 1999 Jaguars 2000-present
Has started all 129 contests in which he has played for the Jacksonville Jaguars

OL Frank Winters Western Illinois 1986 Browns, Giants, Chiefs, Packers 1987-2002
1-time Pro Bowler (1997); 141 starts in 231 career games with four different teams; played in two Super Bowls with Green Bay

OL Mark Rodenhauser Illinois State 1986 Bears, Vikings, Chargers, Lions, 1987-99
Played on more teams (7) than any other former league player Panthers, Steelers, Seahawks

OL Jason Whittle Missouri State 1997 Giants, Buccaneers, Vikings, Bills 1998-present
Has started 44 of 137 career games played with four different NFL teams

OL Rich Seubert Western Illinois 2000 Giants 2001-present
Has started 58 of 74 career games with the New York Giants; was on winning Super Bowl team following 2007 season

DEFENSE (last year indicates final year of college)
Pos., Name School Last Year Pro Teams Dates of Pro Career

DL David Bowens Western Illinois 1998 Denver, G.B., Redskins, Miami, Jets 1999-present
Has started 22 of 136 career games on the defensive line; 187 career tackles and 32.5 career sacks

DL James Jones UNI 1990 Browns, Broncos, Ravens, Lions 1991-00
Started 140 of 160 games on the defensive line with four NFL teams; recording 37 career sacks

DL John Jurkovic Eastern Illinois 1989 Packers, Jaguars, Browns 1991-99
Started 95 of 114 career games on the defenisve line with three different teams

LB Bryan Cox Western Illinois 1990 Miami, Bears, Jets, Patriots, Saints 1991-02
3-time NFL Pro Bowl Selection; played in Super Bowl XXXVI with New England; started 144 of his 165 career games played

LB Bart Scott Southern Illinois 2001 Ravens, Jets 2002-present
Pro-Bowl (2007); started all 48 games in final 3 years with Ravens (2006-07-08); 433 career tackles, career-best 103 in 2006

LB Bryce Paup UNI 1989 Packers, Bills, Jaguars, Vikings 1990-00
NFL Defensive MVP in 1995 (with Buffalo); 4-time Pro Bowl selection; 75 career sacks (season-best 17.5 in MVP season in 1995)

LB Ed Hartwell Western Illinois 2000 Ravens, Falcons 2001-06
Started 57 of 77 career games, recording 400 career tackles and seven sacks

LB Boomer Grigsby Illinois State 2004 Chiefs, Dolphins, Texans 2005-present
Has played special teams and has been moved to fullback while entering his 5th NFL season

LB Tim Johnson Youngstown State 2001 Raiders, Ravens 2002-06
Recorded 114 tackles over 5-year career; played in Super Bowl XXXVII with Oakland, blocking a punt that was returned for a TD

DB Rodney Harrison Western Illinois 1993 Chargers, Patriots 1994-08
Only player in NFL history with 30+ sacks and 30+ interceptions, 2-time Pro Bower; played on 4 Super Bowl teams in his career

DB Benny Sapp UNI 2003 Chiefs, Vikings 2004-present
125 career tackles; four career interceptions; 15 career PBUs; while making 10 career starts in 70 games played

DB William James Western Illinois 2000 Giants, Eagles, Jaguars 2001-present
253 career tackles; six career interceptions; 30 career PBUs; while making 46 career starts in 76 games played

DB Ray McElroy Eastern Illinois 1994 Colts, Bears, Lions 1995-01
Played in 81 career games with nine starting assignments in six-year NFL career

P Mike Scifres Western Illinois 2002 Chargers 2003-present
44.1 yards per punt, placing 144 inside the 20; career long of 71 yards; first-alternate for Pro Bowl following 2007 and 2008 seasons

P Derrick Frost UNI 2002 Browns, Redskins, Packers 2003-present
41.2 yards per punt, placing 105 inside the 20, while kicking for three different NFL teams

LS Brad St. Louis Missouri State 1999 Bengals 2000-present
Has played in 139 contests as the long snapper for the Cincinnati Bengals

“Institutional Greats”
Players who played at league schools before schools were members of the MVFC (which began in 1985 as the Gateway Conference). Only current league schools’ former players are listed.

DB Estus Hood Illinois State 1977 Packers 1978-84
31-straight starting assignments, 11 career interceptions

OL Dennis Nelson Illinois State 1968 Baltimore Colts, Eagles 1970-77
77 NFL games, on Super Bowl championship team in 1971

DB Mike Prior Illinois State 1984 Buccaneers, Colts, Packers 1985-98
198 career games (two Super Bowls), 35 career interceptions

OL Tunch Ilkin Indiana State 1979 Steelers, Packers 1980-93
Played 176 career games with the Pittsburgh Steelers over a 14-year NFL career

DB Vencie Glenn Indiana State 1985 N.E., Chargers, Saints, Vikings, Giants 1986-95
Played 153 career games with 35 career interceptions

DL Phil Hansen North Dakota State 1990 Bills 1991-01
Played 156 career games, with 61.5 career sacks, appeared in three-straight Super Bowls (1991-93)

WR Stacy Robinson North Dakota State 1983 Giants 1985-90
Played for Super Bowl champion New York Giants in 1987 and 1991

DB Steve Nelson North Dakota State 1973 Patriots 1974-87
Played 174 career games, all with the Patriots, over 14 NFL seasons, recording 17 career interceptions

DB Tyrone Braxton North Dakota State 1986 Broncos, Dolphins 1987-99
Played 181 career games, with 36 career interceptions (4 of which he returned for touchdowns)

PK Adam Vinatieri South Dakota State 1994 Patriots, Colts 1996-present
The first kicker ever to play in five Super Bowls and win four Super Bowl rings.

TE Steve Heiden South Dakota State 1998 Chargers, Browns 1999-present
Has had 191 receptions for 1,616 yards, and 13 TDs in his first 10 seasons in the league

WR/TE/RB Pete Retzlaff South Dakota State 1952 Eagles 1956-66
452 career catches for 7,412 yards and 47 TDs in 11 seasons with the Eagles, 5-time Pro-Bowl selection; Eagles retired his #44

OL Jim Langer South Dakota State 1969 Dolphins, Vikings 1970-81
Played in 151 career games over 12 seasons; Pro Football Hall of Fame; six-time Pro Bowl selection; NFL 1970s All-Decade Team

OL Adam Timmerman South Dakota State 1994 Packers, Rams 1995-06
Started 172 of 187 games played in his 12 seasons in the league, playing in three Super Bowls

OL Carl Mauck Southern Illinois 1968 Colts, Dolphins, Chargers, Oilers 1969-81
Played in 166 career games, including 156 in a row in a 13-year career in the NFL

QB Jim Hart Southern Illinois 1965 Cardinals, Redskins 1966-84
4-time Pro Bowler (1974-77), NFC Player of the Year in 1974, 34,655 career passing yards

WR Kevin House Southern Illinois 1979 Buccaneers, LA Rams 1980-87
299 career catches, 5,169 career yards, 34 touchdowns in 8-year career

DB Terry Taylor Southern Illinois 1983 Seahawks, Lions, Browns, Falcons 1984-95
25 interceptions over a 12-year NFL career with four different teams

DB Mike Wagner Western Illinois 1970 Steelers 1971-80
36 career interceptions, and won four Super Bowls as part of the Steel Curtain defense; 2-time Pro-Bowl selection

QB Ron Jaworski Youngstown State 1973 LA Rams, Eagles, Dolphins, Chiefs 1974-89
Pro Bowl selection in 1980, NFL Player of the Year in 1980, Super Bowl appearance in 1980, 28,190 career passing yards

QB Cliff Stoudt Youngstown State 1976 Steelers, STL Cardinals, Miami, Dallas 1977-89
Threw for 4,506 yards in his career and 23 touchdowns over 13 seasons

PK Jeff Wilkins Youngstown State 1993 Eagles, 49ers, Rams 1994-07
All-time scoring leader for St. Louis Rams, 307 career FGs, Pro Bowl 2003; NFL record holder with 371 straight PATs without a miss

PK Paul McFadden Youngstown State 1983 Eagles, Giants, Falcons 1984-89
2-time All-Pro, NFC Rookie of the Year, made 120-of-163 field goals in his NFL career

By Missouri Valley Football Conference Media Relations