Lisle's LeFevour set to close record-setting career at Central Michigan

All Dan LeFevour wanted was an opportunity.

LeFevour wasn't inundated with major-college scholarship offers during his high school football career at Benet Academy in Lisle, but Gary Goforth would tell everyone he was coaching the best quarterback in the state.

There weren't many believers as Big Ten schools such as Illinois, Northwestern and Indiana showed middling interest but didn't get close to making a scholarship offer. Only four of those came LeFevour's way at Benet.

One was from Central Michigan. It turned out to be the opportunity of a lifetime for the Downers Grove native.

"Once I got that I showed I could play pretty well," said the 6-foot-3, 227-pound LeFevour. "I set goals in increments from where I was at that point, and I started wanting to accomplish more and more as I started getting more experience on the field."

What he has accomplished in four seasons with the Chippewas has put his name all over NCAA and Mid-American Conference record books and on NFL draft boards.

LeFevour goes into Wednesday's GMAC Bowl (6 p.m., ESPN) in Mobile, Ala., against Troy as the only player in NCAA history to pass for 12,000 yards (12,510) and rush for 2,500 (2,936) in a career.

His 148 career touchdowns (101 passing, 46 rushing and 1 receiving) are the most in Football Bowl Subdivision history. He has led Central Michigan to three MAC titles and four bowl games.

"Nothing he has done surprises me," Goforth said. "In terms of what he's accomplished, you always thought, 'Wow, you knew he was good,' but it's incredible what he's done."

Not that LeFevour would would ever pop off about what he has accomplished.

"He's a pretty humble kid," said Mike Bijakian, who has been Central Michigan's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach the last three seasons. "He's very well-rounded, keeps everything in perspective and doesn't get too high or too low.

"Combined with his ability to run the ball and throw the ball - the numbers don't lie. When you think about what he's been able to do and what he's been able to accomplish, he hasn't done it quietly."

Even at Benet the interest in LeFevour was relatively quiet. The program was successful when LeFevour was there but Joliet Catholic usually hoards most of the attention in the East Suburban Catholic Conference.

LeFevour also was in a run-oriented offense with receivers Goforth said were good but not big speed threats.

"They're all looking for the guy from the perennial powerhouse - and I've learned over the years it's hard to understand what recruiters want," Goforth said. "I thought Dan was the best quarterback in the state his senior year. There was no doubt he was the best quarterback on the field every game."

That hasn't changed much since he arrived at Central Michigan to run an offense led by Brian Kelly.

"It has to be the right mix of things coming in at the right time," LeFevour said. "There's a lot of talent at Central Michigan and great players to play with, and that presents you with the opportunity to do great things."

Even after Kelly left at the end of LeFevour's freshman year for what turned out to be a stopover at Cincinnati en route to taking the Notre Dame coaching job.

Bijakian came in after a three-year stint as the Bears offensive quality control coach in which he worked with the wide receivers during their 2006 NFC championship season.

LeFevour's work ethic and diligent film study made it a seamless transition. As a sophomore he put himself on the map with some of college football's biggest names.

He joined Vince Young of Texas in 2005 as the only FBS players to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000. LeFevour and Florida's Tim Tebow became the only players in FBS history to throw and rush for 20 touchdowns apiece in the same season.

"He does have that special talent of being a true dual-threat quarterback," Bijakian said. "That term gets thrown around a lot and often refers to a quarterback who is good at running who throws the ball.

"Dan definitely goes beyond that with his ability to throw the ball. That's what makes him special to me and one of the best quarterbacks in the country."

LeFevour, who was invited to play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 30 in Mobile, does have to overcome the perception of putting up big numbers out of a spread offense in a conference not regarded as a national powerhouse.

But those who know LeFevour well believe he can follow the successful MAC to NFL path that includes the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger and Dolphins' Chad Pennington.

"He's definitely got the ability and work ethic and mental capability to succeed at the next level," Bijakian said. "Every team in the NFL has been through our hallways and some people have some knocks on him. Arm strength is one of the things people knock a little bit.

"I tell them to watch the film. How I put it to scouts is he makes every throw."

LeFevour knows he has to prove he can make all of them - short, intermediate and deep with touch or zip - under center in a pro style offense.

Goforth compares LeFevour's ability to make all of them with the Ravens' Joe Flacco, who came out of Delaware in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA).

"People aren't going to realize how strong his arm is until they see him in person," Goforth said. "He doesn't overthrow.

"There is no doubt that Dan being a student of the game, whoever gets him will have just found a gold coin so to speak."

Not unlike all of the golden moments LeFevour has produced at Central Michigan.

"It's been amazing," LeFevour said. "To be able to win three conference championships in four years and do all the great things we've been able to do, I'll never forget it and it will last me the rest of my life."

Catching LeFevourDan LeFevour's four-year career at Central Michigan has been filled with incredible numbers and accomplishments. Here's a look at some of them by the Benet graduate and Downers Grove native going into the GMAC Bowl. Passing Year Comp. Att. Pct. Yards TD Int. 2006 247 388 63.7 3,031 26 10 2007 355 543 65.4 3,652 27 13 2008 251 376 66.8 2,784 21 6 2009 285 401 71.1 3,043 27 6 Career 1,138 1,708 66.6 12,510 101 35 Rushing Year Att. Yards TD 2006 132 521 7 2007 188 1,122 19 2008 168 592 6 2009 174 701 14 Career 662 2,936 46Accomplishmentsbull;Only player in NCAA history to pass for 12,000 yards and rush for 2,500.bull;148 career TDs (101 passing, 46 rushing, 1 receiving) most in Football Bowl Subdivision history.bull;Other career NCAA rankings are third in total offense, sixth in completions, tied for eighth in TD passes and 13th in passing yards and rushing yards by a quarterback.bull;Second player in FBS history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in a season (Vince Young, Texas, 2005).bull;One of two in FBS history to throw for 20 TDs and score 20 in the same season (Tim Tebow, Florida, 2007).bull;Three-time all-Mid-American Conference selection was conference player of year and offensive player of year this season.Source: Central Michigan UniversityFalse15952000Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour throws a touchdown to receiver Cody Wilson during the first quarter of an NCAA college Mid-American Conference Championship football game against Ohio at Ford Field in Detroit, Friday.Associated PressFalse