Northern Illinois is feeling great these days and why not with a scheduled appearance at the Orange Bowl.
The 12 and 1 Mid-American Conference Champion Northern Illinois University football team will meet ACC Champion Florida State in the 2013 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Fla. as the Huskies will cap a historic season with the first Bowl Championship Series bowl appearance in school and MAC history.
Northern Illinois earned its nation-leading 12th straight victory with a 44-37 double overtime victory over #17 (BCS) Kent State, 44-37, in the Marathon MAC Championship game in Detroit on Friday, Nov. 30. The win elevated the Huskies to a No. 16 spot in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches’ Polls, and put one of the winningest programs in the nation over the last three years into BCS consideration for the first time in school history.” NUI website
For me, as a Canadian football fan, I am elated that two Canadian student athletes are on that team! Join me in congratulating Courtney Stephen and Juwan Brescacin as they celebrate a MAC championship and a historical appearance at the Orange Bowl.
Courtney Stephen
Prior to NIU: Played two seasons as a starting safety at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada. Selected second team All-Canadian as a sophomore in 2008 when he was also a first team All Ontario University Athletics Conference. Made 59 tackles, with 46 solo, forced two fumbles, recovered three and broke up five passes his sophomore season. Also intercepted two passes for the 7-3 Golden Hawks, who boasted the No. 5 overall defense in the country. WLU was the only team to beat the eventual national champions that year. As a freshman, recorded 54 tackles, 35 solo, broke up nine passes and picked off five en route to second team all-conference and Rookie of the Year honors.
High School: Two-year letter winner in football for Turner Fenton Secondary School who was named to the Toronto All-Star Football team as a senior. Served as team captain in football his junior and senior years. Played free safety, quarterback, and punt returner. Scored six rushing touchdowns in six games and picked off six passes. Also scored on a punt return and caught a TD pass. Blocked a punt and forced a pair of fumbles. Named MVP of his high school team four times, including twice in football (as a junior and as a senior) and as a sophomore basketball player. His team compiled a 5-1 record his senior season. Courtney is from Brampton, Ontario
Juwan Brescacin
High School: Two-time varsity letter winner in both football and basketball. Honored as team captain and MVP in both football and basketball his senior year. Named to all-area and all-state teams his following his senior campaign. Holds school record for most touchdown receptions in a game with three. Also holds season records for yards receiving, receptions, and touchdown receptions with 697 yards, 44 receptions, and 12 touchdowns respectively. Broke three school career records in just two seasons including: yards receiving (1,314 yards), receptions (70), and touchdown receptions (19). Earned a place on the 2011 Grange North All-Star team after his senior season.
Juwan is from Mississauga, Ontario
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