Aug. 17, 2009

BEMIDJI, Minn. -- The Bemidji State University defensive lineman Rob Wills (Jr., Roseville, Minn.) has been named to the 2009 D2Football.com Preseason All-NSIC team, today in a announcement from Web site officials. A first-team selection, Wills was one of 25 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Players to be recognized.

Wills burst on to the scene as a sophomore to anchor the BSU defensive line. After graduating its entire line at the conclusion of the 2007 season and losing senior Kyle McMartin in the 2008 season-opener, Wills stepped right in and earned second-team all-conference honors.

The six-foot-three, 255-pound Wills started 10 of the Beavers’ 11 contests at defensive end and finished the season seventh on the team with 52 tackles (17 solo)--tops for a BSU defensive lineman. In addition, he finished second on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 quarterback sacks, while batting down three passes.

In addition to naming players to its preseason all-conference team, D2Football.com also selected Isaac Odim, junior running back at University of Minnesota Duluth, and Wayne State College linebacker Ryan Reeves as its offensive and defense players of the year, respectively.

The Beavers completed the 2008 season 5-6 overall with a 4-6 mark in NSIC play. They finished third in the NSIC North with a 3-3 mark in divisional play and capped the season by winning three of their last four contests.

Bemidji State opens the 2009 campaign Thursday, Aug. 27 with a non-conference clash versus Minot State University in the 12th annual “Beaver Bash.” Kick off is set for 7 p.m. at Chet Anderson Field.

D2Football.com Preseason Players of the Year:
Offensive: Isaac Odim, Jr., Minnesota Duluth
Defensive: Ryan Reeves, Sr., Wayne State

First-Team Offense
QB - Silas Fluellen, Sr., Wayne State
RB - Isaac Odim, Jr., Minnesota Duluth
RB - Joe Clark, Jr., Augustana
WR - D.J. Winfield, So., Minnesota, Duluth
WR - Logan Masters, Sr., Wayne State
TE - Cody Anderson-Norblom, Sr., St. Cloud State
OL - Tubias Lemke, Sr., Minnesota Duluth
OL - Seth Haun, Sr., Winona State
OL- Andy Schoonover, Sr., Minnesota State
OL - Scott Ferguson, Sr., St. Cloud State
OL - L.T. Brown, Sr., U-Mary

First-Team Defense
DL - Eric Bergman, Jr., Augustana
DL - Randy Earl, Sr., Minnesota State
DL - Brian Schmid, So., Minnesota State
DL - Rob Wills, Jr., Bemidji State
LB - Ryan Reeves, Sr., Wayne State
LB - Rojeer Wright, Jr., Concordia-St. Paul
LB - Chris Janisch, Jr., Augustana
DB - Kevin Rodgers, Jr., Minnesota State
DB - Cole Strilzuk, Sr., Minnesota Duluth
DB - Lucas Wolfe, So., Winona State
DB - Matt Greenway, Sr., Wayne State

First-Team Specialists
AP - Kelvin Rodgers, Sr., Minnesota State
K - Nick Hope, Sr., Wayne State
P - Thomas Schoenberg, Jr., Concordia-St. Paul

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