Nov. 14, 2008

DeKalb, Ill. - Two Northern Illinois football student-athletes were named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District team announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Seniors Jon Brost (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) and Craig Rusch (Hilbert, Wis./Hilbert) both earned first-team selections for District 5 and are eligible for Academic All-America consideration.

Brost, an electrical engineering major, carries a 3.50 GPA and has been selected to the prestigious squad for the second year in a row. The offensive tackle has also been an Academic All-Mid-American Conference selection the past two seasons.

Earlier this season, Brost was named a semifinalist for the 2008 Draddy Award, which is presented annually by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame to honor football players who combine the best in academic and athletic accomplishment. In addition to the national honor, Brost was named the MAC's Scholar-Athlete of the Week on Oct. 3.

Brost, who has started all 10 games in 2008 and has been one of Northern Illinois' top offensive linemen, picked up third team All-MAC honors in 2007 and leads the Huskies with 45 career starts.

Rusch, a mechanical engineering major with a 3.32 GPA, was named a Victory scholar last spring after earning a 4.0 GPA. The defensive tackle has started all 10 games in 2008 and ranks third among Huskies defensive lineman with 18 total tackles. He has also collected five tackles for loss and two sacks.

Rusch has played in 30 games since 2005, including 20 career starts. He has amassed 116 total tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in his NIU career.