Nicolet, Vanover Head to Cactus Bowl D2 All Star Game

Nicolet, Vanover selected to play in 2008 Cactus Bowl

Hillsdale College Release

December 3, 2007 - Hillsdale College senior football players Mark Nicolet and Matt Vanover have been selected to play in the 2008 Cactus Bowl, the Division II Football "all-star game." news story image

The game will be played on Friday, Jan. 11 in Kingsville, Texas, at Javalina Stadium with a 6:35 p.m. local time kickoff.

This marks the first time two Hillsdale players will participate in the game. Keith Recker played in the 2006 Cactus Bowl, and offensive lineman Silas Johnson played in the 2003 game from Hillsdale.

The honor is just the latest in an award-filled season for both news story imageNicolet and Vanover. Each player was named First-Team All-GLIAC and First-Team All-Region. Nicolet was the 2007 GLIAC Player of the Year, while Vanover set a GLIAC record with a punting average of 43.4 this season.

The Cactus Bowl is one of the primary stops for NFL scouts. Nicolet and Vanover will suit up for the East Team in the game.