| 2003 Players of
the Week
Knigge named "KCAC Defensive Player
of the Week" again!
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Colt Knigge |
Randall "Colt" Knigge, McPherson College freshman free safety from
Caldwell, Idaho, was named the KCAC (Kansas Collegiate Athletic
Conference) "Defensive Player of the Week" for the second time this
season following his two interceptions, one fumble recovery day
against Sterling College on October 18. Knigge’s three stand-out
defensive plays occurred within four consecutive offensive snaps
by Sterling, and sparked McPherson to a 34-18 win after the Bulldogs
found themselves down 9-0, just over three minutes into the contest.
The 5’11", 190-pound Knigge was also credited with
10 tackles, five unassisted, and breaking up a pass as the Bulldogs
came back to win their third KCAC game of the season and raise their
overall record to 4-2.
Knigge’s interceptions were his fifth and sixth of the season.
His six interceptions and 146 yards in interception returns both
lead the KCAC and rank among the NAIA national leading marks this
fall.
Knigge currently ranks third on the Bulldog tackle list with 50
total tackles, 15 unassisted, right behind high school and now college
teammate Alex Holtry. Colt has also forced two fumbles, recovered
two others, and leads McPherson with six pass break-ups on the season.
Two weeks earlier, the 2003 Vallivue High School graduate returned
his fourth interception of the season 87 yards for a touchdown as
McPherson College defeated the University of Saint Mary, 62-34.
"Colt has great instincts for being around the football,"
said McPherson College head coach David Cunningham. "He is
not the fastest player on defense, but he is always around the ball."
"He is just a playmaker and by the time he graduates, he
should hold a slew of defensive record here at McPherson College."
Knigge is one of a series of Vallivue High School and Nampa-Caldwell
area graduates who are currently playing, or have recently played,
at McPherson College. In addition to Knigge, that group of players
includes Dan, Matt and Alex Holtry along with Wade Pederson and
Erik Johnson.
Colt is the son of Terri Allen and Randy Knigge, both of Caldwell,
Idaho.
McPherson College junior slot back, Darrell Cole of Waynesboro,
Virginia, was named the KCAC offensive co-player of the week, for
the week of October 6-11, 2003.
Cole Named KCAC Offensive Player of the Week
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| Darrell Cole |
Darrell Cole, McPherson College junior slot back from Waynesboro,
Virginia, was named the KCAC (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference)
"Co-Offensive Play of the Week" for his play in the Bulldogs’
31-21 win over Southwestern College on October 11.
A second-team All-KCAC selection last season, Cole gained 151 yards
of all-purpose offense against Southwestern as he averaged 18.9
yards per touch on 6 carries for 65 yards and 2 receptions for 86
yards including a 61 yard touchdown catch.
Cole, a graduate of Wilson Memorial High School, has rushed for
224 yards and one touchdown on 28 attempts during the 2003 season
and leads the Bulldogs’ receiving corps with 13 receptions,
good for 318 yards and three touchdowns. Averaging 13.2 yards per
offensive touch of the ball this season, his 542 all-purpose yards
is only 40 yards short of the 582 he totaled in 2002 when he averaged
10.4 yards per touch.
"Darrell is one of the most explosive players in the conference,"
said McPherson College head coach David Cunningham. "He is
a legitimate threat to score every time he touches the ball.
"Darrell is also an excellent blocker, a very unselfish player
who just wants to help us win ballgames. The threat of him getting
the ball opens up every aspect of our offense."
Cole transferred to McPherson College from sister school, Bridgewater
College in Virginia prior to last season when he led the Bulldogs’
to a 6-4 record and a tie for third in the KCAC race. He paced McPherson
in per rush average with a mark of 11.4 yards per carry, running
for 423 yards and four touchdowns on only 37 carries. He also caught
19 passes for 159 yards, and had the Bulldogs’ longest run
from scrimmage, 76 yards.
The win by the Bulldogs over Southwestern on Saturday was only
their third in 21 games played in Winfield,
only the tenth in the 47-game series, and marked only the second
time in the series the Bulldogs had beaten the Builders two years
in a row. The only previous time came in 1938 and 1939. The win
moved McPherson’s 2003 record to 3-2 and into a tie fourth
in KCAC title chase.
McPherson entered last Saturday’s game ranked 7th in scoring
among NAIA schools with an average of 37.0 points per game, 12th
in rushing offense, and 15th in total offense.
Darrell is the son of Doug and Denise Cole of Waynesboro, Virginia.
He is majoring in automotive restoration technology at McPherson
College.
Cole shared the "Offensive Player of the Week" honors
with Brandon Fischer of Ottawa University.
Knigge Named KCAC Defensive Player of the Week
Randall "Colt" Knigge, McPherson College freshman free
safety from Caldwell, Idaho, was named the KCAC (Kansas Collegiate
Athletic Conference) "Defensive Play of the Week" for
his play in the Bulldogs’ season opening, 20-13 win over Haskell
Indian Nations University on September 6. The McPherson-Haskell
contest was the 5’11", 190-pound Knigge’s first
as a collegiate gridder.
A 2003 graduate of Vallivue High School in Caldwell, Knigge was
credited with four tackles, three of which were unassisted, intercepting
a pass and returning it 10 yards, breaking up two other passes,
causing one fumble, and recovering another fumble which stopped
a Haskell drive inside the McPherson 25-yard line as the Bulldog
defense forced seven Indian turnovers in the win.
"Colt made some big plays for us against Haskell,"
said McPherson College head coach David Cunningham. "The fact
it was his first collegiate game makes it that much more impressive.
"He is a very talented athlete who also has a very good work
ethic. He puts in a good deal of extra time watching film and meeting
with our defensive coaches.
"Colt was a very good defensive back coming out of high school.
He has good speed and a great nose for the football. He welcomes
the opportunity to come up and hit people.
"I believe Colt has the tools to have an outstanding career
here at McPherson as he continues to mature and works to improve
his knowledge of the game."
A two-year letter winner at Vallivue High, Knigge was a second
team All-Conference performer his senior year, and following the
2002 season, was invited to play in the Idaho Shrine East-West All-Star
game.
"We are very happy to continue our Vallivue connection,"
said Cunningham. "The last five years have seen Dan and Matt
Holtry along with Erik (Johnson) make great contributions to our
football program. Now, Colt and Alex (Holtry) have joined Erik in
continuing that tradition."
The win by the Bulldogs, extended their home winning streak to
seven games and was the first intercollegiate contest played on
the new Sprinturf field of the recently renovated McPherson Stadium.
Colt is the son of Terri Allen and Randy Knigge, both of Caldwell,
Idaho.
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