Nov. 28, 2006
ST. LOUIS -
In recent history, the Illinois State football program has had the Gateway Football Defensive Player of the Year Award wrapped up like an opposing ball carrier. That was again the case on Tuesday, as Redbird senior linebacker Cameron Siskowic walked away with the honor, highlighting the 13 players named to the all-conference team which included five first team selections.
Joining Siskowic on the first team were quarterback Luke Drone, offensive tackle Isaiah Wiggins, defensive lineman Justin Martindale and linebacker Kye Stewart. The Redbirds also placed five on the second team with running back Pierre Rembert, wide receivers Pierre Jackson and Laurént Robinson, fullback Dave Mordis and defensive back Tom Nelson all being recognized. Seniors Niall Campbell, Janiah Downing and James Temple each received honorable mention honors.
Siskowic, who led the league in tackles for a second straight season, extended Illinois State's string of winning the league's top defensive award to a record-setting five straight years. Former linebacker Boomer Grigsby won the honor three straight seasons during 2002, 2003 and 2004, while former defensive end Brent Hawkins earned the honor last season. The San Diego, Calif., native currently ranks second in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in total tackles with 140. He also has five tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions on the season.
Drone became the second ISU quarterback to earn first team honors after Kevin Glenn was named to the first team in 1998. In Gateway games, Drone led the conference in passing yards per game (238.1), passing efficiency (163.5) and total offense (237.1). He currently has 2,772 passing yards on the season, while completing 187-of-322 passes. He has also thrown 19 touchdowns, while being picked off nine times.
For the third straight season, head coach Denver Johnson has had an offensive lineman voted to the first team. Wiggins, a junior left tackle, has started all 12 games for the Redbirds, while paving the way for a 1,600-yard rusher in Rembert. The Redbird offense also ranks No. 8 in the FCS with 399.33 yards per game, while the passing offense has led the Gateway for the third straight season with 231 yards per game.
With Siskowic, Martindale and Stewart all earning first team honors, it marked the first time since 2000 in which the Redbirds had three or more players on the first team defense. Martindale, Illinois State's iron man with 45 career starting assignments, led all Redbird defensive linemen with 37 tackles on the season. He also collected five tackles for loss and 1.5 quarterback sacks.
Stewart, the second leading tackler on the team and in the conference, currently ranks No. 7 in the FCS with 123 tackles on the season. He leads the team with 10.5 tackles for loss. Stewart has also added a pair of sacks and three pass break ups. He has posted eight double-digit tackle games in his 11 games played this season, including a career-high 17 against Southern Illinois.
