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DE: Du Quoin's Nick Hill All-American |
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Written by 618football.com
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Tuesday, 15 January 2008 |
All-American Hill preps for NFL
Eight Saluki football players named All-American
Jeff Engelhardt
Issue date: 1/15/08 Section: Sports
Nick Hill went from a Western Kentucky freshman warming the basketball pine to an All-American quarterback with NFL aspirations.
Hill, who graduated in December after leading the SIU football team to its first semifinal berth in his lifetime, was one of eight Salukis to make the Sports Network All-American team. SIU nearly doubled the amount of All-Americans from last season's squad after falling one game short of the National Championship for the first time since 1983.
Hill transferred to SIU after one year on the Western Kentucky basketball team, and the two-year quarterback starter is now preparing for the next step as he trains in Cincinnati for the NFL Draft.
Hill said the All-American status is just as much a team award as it is an individual one.
"I think it's just a compliment to our team," Hill said. "The further a team goes, the better chance you have of getting an individual award. It was great for our program being on ESPN and getting our name out there. It's definitely a reflection of the team."
A variety of aspects of the SIU squad were honored with All-American status, including two defensive backs, two linebackers, one defensive lineman, one offensive lineman and a punter.
As signal caller, Hill was a key component in the Salukis success as he had a career year with 3,175 passing yards with 28 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He also hurt his opponents with his legs as he rushed for 357 yards and four touchdowns.
Former SIU coach Jerry Kill showed more confidence in Hill by letting him throw the ball 165 more times compared to last season.
Another departed All-American looking to take the next step is senior cornerback and return specialist Craig Turner.
Turner racked up 252 yards on punt returns and 756 yards on kickoff returns including an 88-yard touchdown in the semifinal loss to Delaware. On defense, Turner recorded 68 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one blocked kick.
Turner said this season meant more than statistics and awards. It was about coming together as a team.
"I see this award as an honor and I respect the people that make those decisions," Turner said. "But it's a team game and you can't get that recognition unless the team plays together."
Junior safety Clayton Johnson also received an honorable mention on the All-American team and was the man Turner credited for helping him improve this year.
Turner said Johnson always kept him playing with a lot of energy and having fun. Johnson's lively approach to the game earned him 77 tackles, four interceptions, a forced fumble and two onside kick recoveries.
Senior offensive tackle Darren Marquez, who is also looking into NFL possibilities, was the only other senior on the team to earn All-American status with Hill and Turner.
The players weren't the only ones winning postseason awards. Kill's final season as SIU coach was recognized with the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award. Kill's award resulted in a $50,000 donation to the Coach Kill Cancer Fund and $20,000 to the SIU Alumni Association.
Director of Athletics Mario Moccia said Kill's award was a great example of how Carbondale has embraced the football team.
"I know a big component of the Liberty Mutual award was fan voting," Moccia said. "I know the Alumni Association sent out a lot of information to alums on how to vote so I think it was great that it worked out for them."
Kill's tutelage helped many young players compete at a high level including the other four Saluki All-American selections, which all are eligible to play next season.
Sophomore Chauncey Mixon headlined the group of Salukis by receiving a spot as a third-team All-American. Fellow sophomore linebacker Brandin Jordan joined Mixon on the team.
The two linebackers combined for 215 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for the season.
Junior defensive end James Cloud and sophomore punter Scott Ravanesi rounded out the All-American selections for the Salukis.
Hill said the young players helped take the program to the next level and expects big things from them in the future.
"It was a great season and we took the program up another step," Hill said. "I think this season showed we could compete with the best and being in a National Championship is something our goal should be every year here in southern Illinois."
Jeff Engelhardt can be reached at 536-3311 ext.269 or
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 15 January 2008 )
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