NIU's English repeats as MAC MVP

With nationally regarded quarterbacks like Nate Davis and Dan LeFevour in the Mid-American Conference, Larry English harbored no illusions that he'd repeat as the MAC'S Most Valuable Player.

And that made Monday's news all the more exciting to Northern Illinois' senior defensive end. In a vote conducted by the MAC'S 13 coaches, English won his second consecutive Vern Smith Award, which is what the MAC'S MVP award.

The 2004 Marmion graduate also repeated as the MAC'S Defensive Player of the Year, which is an award presented by the MAC media.

"I was shocked in a lot of ways," English said. "It's something that means a lot to me, to be regarded so highly by my opponents in the MAC."

The Aurora resident earned the honor despite breaking his right thumb in NIU's opener at Minnesota - and playing with it in a cast for the rest of the season.

"It hurt me in a lot of ways (when rushing the passer)," said English, who couldn't get both of his hands on offensive linemen.

Nonetheless, English produced 8 sacks and 131/2 tackles for loss as the leader of an NIU defense that ranks 18th nationally in points allowed (18.1 ppg) and 20th in yards allowed (303.7 ypg).

He leads all active Football Bowl Subdivision players in career sacks (311/2), sack yardage (220) and tackle-for-loss yardage (280).

"I think that a lot of this, I dedicate to the players I played with this year and the coaching staff," English said. "Without them, none of this could have been possible. Defensively, we did some really special things this year."

English, generally regarded as no worse than a second-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft, has accepted a Senior Bowl invitation and figures to be invited to the combine.

But first, there's a slight chance the Huskies (6-6) will sneak into their third bowl in five years.

"That's where our focus has been," English said.