Mierau - Reynolds - Grimm Named MVPs
Feb. 11, 2009
Senior linebacker Alex Mierau was named the 2008 Most Valuable Player and Defensive MVP at the Luther College football team's annual awards banquet, held on the campus of Luther College in the Peace Dining Room on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Mierau, who led the Norse defense with 105 tackles, was a unanimous first-team all-Iowa Conference selection and was also named to the D3football.com All-West Region as a second-team honoree. He picked off a team best three interceptions, that included a 97-yard return for a touchdown in Luther's 26-7 Homecoming victory over Central College, setting a school record in the process. He was also credited with 11 pass break-ups and two recovered fumbles.
Twice he was named to the d3football.com team of the week and was also selected Iowa Conference athlete of the week. He completed the season ranked 28th in the NCAA III for tackles per game with an average of 10.5. His 2008 tackle total increased his career mark to 187.
On the offensive side of the football, freshman quarterback Chris Reynolds was named the Offensive MVP and Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Reynolds completed the 2008 campaign leading the Norse in rushing with 475 yards and four touchdowns, and threw for 1,608 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was ranked third in the Iowa Conference for total offense posting an average of 225.2 yards per game. He was also ranked third in the league for passing yards per game with 172.8.
Jordan Grimm was named the special teams MVP. Grimm finished tied for the team lead in scoring with 26 points. He connected on 6-of-7 field goal attempts that included a long of 41 yards. He was also credited with successfully making 8-of-9 extra-point attempts.
Six other team awards were presented to Nate Burger, Bob Naslund "Norse" Award; Josh Patterson Most Improved Defensive Player; Ryan Monroe Most Improved Offensive Player; Bruce Clark Rookie of the Year - Defense; Rick Westermann Scout Defensive Player of the Year; and John Nelson Scout Offensive Player of the Year.
Captains for the 2009 season will be Reynolds, Bobby Kuennen, Kris McAllister, John Stoltenberg, Trevor Theobald, and Peter Wehr.
Luther will begin the 2009 season at St. Olaf College on Saturday, Sept. 5. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Luther's first home game will be one week later on Sept. 12, when the Norse will host Wisconsin Lutheran.
