Edited: Dec. 3, 2007

WABASH ENDS SEASON IN NCAA QUARTERFINALS

North Coast champion Wabash (11-2) closed out its season with a 47-7 loss to Wisconsin-Whitewater in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs. The Little Giants couldn't recover from three first quarter turnovers which turned into three quick scores for the two-time national runner-up Warhawks. Sophomore quarterback Matt Hudson (Salem, IN/Salem) put together a 12-play scoring drive that ended in a six-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Mike Russell (Terre Haute, IN/North). Russell ends his career with 172 receptions for 2,954 yards and 27 touchdowns. He is tied for third in Wabash history in TD receptions, is fourth in pass receptions and fifth in receiving yards. Defensivley, senior linebacke Adi Pynenberg (Montgomery, IL/Oswego) shared the lead for tackles in the loss with 10, giving him 451 for his career. He also added one more tackle for a loss to his Little Giant record, finishing his career with 73-1/2.


Edited: Nov. 26, 2007

NCAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR NAMED GAGLIARDI FINALIST
Wabash senior Adrian Pynenberg (Montgomery, IL/Oswego Community), the 2006 and 2007 NCAC Defensive Player of the Year, has been named one of 10 finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy. The award, presented to the outstanding football player in NCAA Division III, honors excellence in athletics, academics and community service.

Pynenberg, the first three-time All-American football player in Little Giant history, broke the school's career records for total tackles, unassisted and assisted tackles, and tackles for losses. He also owns the single-season record for tackles and is 1.5 sacks away from breaking the all-time Wabash mark in that category. A four-year starter, Pynenberg has led the Little Giant defense in tackles every season. He has 158 tackles, 25.5 tackles for losses of 110 yards, eight sacks for 53 yards, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery through 12 games this year. He's made 441 tackles throughout his four-year career with 72.5 tackles for losses of 307 yards. Pynenberg has 24-1/2 career sacks and nine interceptions in 44 career games.

He has also been a steadfast contributor to the Montgomery County community. A regular volunteer at the Montgomery County Boys and Girls Club, Pynenberg helped develop a fund-raising effort for the local club as part of summer business immersion program. He has also served as a volunteer reader at local elementary schools and has participated in the annual Wabash Football Youth Clinic and in the Punt, Pass, and Kick regional competition held at the College each year. Pynenberg has also been active in community service as a member of the Sphinx Club at the College. His community service reached global levels in 2006 as part of a 10-day trip to Panama. He and several of his Wabash teammates spent three days in Panamanian jungle villages clearing fields and assisting the villagers in their day-to-day work. A psychology major with a 3.58 GPA, Pynenberg is a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V Second Team selection.

For the first time in the trophy's existence, fans can help select the Gagliardi Trophy winner (Vote at D3football.com or USAFootball.com). Fan votes will be combined into one ballot and added to the votes of the 30 members of the selection committee to select the winner. Sponsored by Jostens, Inc. and conducted by the J-Club of Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minn., this year's Gagliardi Trophy will be presented on Thursday, Dec. 13, in Salem, VA, as part of the festivities leading up to the Division III national championship game.

The Gagliardi Trophy is named for Saint John's University head football coach John Gagliardi, the first active head coach to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2006) and the winningest coach in college football history with 453 career victories in 59 seasons.