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Stegeman
completes Redbird sweep
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[OCT. 28, 2005]
ST. LOUIS -- Even with the Illinois State
football team raking in 11 Gateway Football Conference Player of the
Week honors this season, the Redbirds had yet to receive Offensive
Lineman of the Week, until Wednesday, when senior left guard
Mike Stegeman claimed the honor for the second time in his
career.
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After Friday's rain-soaked practice heading into the game against
then-No. 13 Northern Iowa, Stegeman slipped when walking up the
steep ramp to the Kaufman Football Building and fell flat on his
back. As a result, he battled a lower back strain throughout
Saturday's 38-3 win. When the defense was on the field, the Illinois
State athletic training staff rolled Stegeman on large rubber ball
to keep his back loose.
The Chatham native responded with an 87 percent grade, while
posting 11 knockdowns without a missing an assignment or allowing a
sack. He also helped pave the way as the Redbirds racked up 425
yards of total offense. It was the first player-of-the-week honor
for Stegeman since Sept. 20, 2003.
[to top of second column in this article]
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Stegeman joins Laurent Robinson, Brent Hawkins and Ryan Hoffman as
the league’s players of the week. All four individuals, along with
the rest of the No. 18 Redbirds, return to action Saturday when ISU
hosts Western Illinois at Hancock Stadium for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.
[Illinois
State University news release]
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