Cole Jirik Named to CFPA FCS Defensive End/Defensive Tackle Watch List

Jirik, a 6-foot-4 1/2, 245-pound junior from Northfield, Minn. (Northfield H.S.), started in eight of 15 games played last season. He recorded 50 tackles including 10.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Jirik was credited with seven QB hurries.

Jirik, who has played in all 29 games during his career, had a career-high nine tackles in the NCAA FCS playoff win over James Madison on Dec. 3. He had a season-high three QB hurries the next weekend against Lehigh (12-10-11). Jirk matched his career-high with two sacks at Western Illinois on Nov. 19.

North Dakota State won the program’s first NCAA Division I Football Championship with a 17-6 win over Sam Houston State on Jan. 7 and also claimed the program's first Missouri Valley Football Conference title. The Bison were 14-1 overall and 7-1 in MVFC.

The Bison open the 2012 season against Robert Morris at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, in the Fargodome.

2012 CFPA FCS DEFENSIVE END & DEFENSIVE TACKLE AWARD WATCH LIST

Damien Wilson, Alcorn State

Sullivan Grosz, Cal Poly

Joshua Williams, Chattanooga

Chris Billingslea, Citadel

Derek Douglas, Citadel

Josh Martin, Columbia

Brannon Dunn, Dayton

Brandon Coleman, Drake

Padric Scott, Florida A&M

Justin Yancey, Fordham

Josh Lynn, Furman

Preston Pemasa, Gardner-Webb

Brent Russell, Georgia Southern

Jomarcus Savage, Grambling

Shelby Harris, Illinois State

Nate Palmer, Illinois State

Ben Obaseki, Indiana State

Joseph LeBeau, Jackson State

Mike Mayoral, Jacksonville

Michael Cole, Maine

Terrence Fede, Marist

Brad Daly, Montana State

Zach Minter, Montana State

Kevin Robinson, Murray State

Tony Mashburn, N.C. A&T

Ross Brenneman, North Dakota

Cole Jirik, North Dakota State

Brandon Copeland, Pennsylvania

Caraun Reid, Princeton

James Timmins, Rhode Island

Nolan Nearhoof, Robert Morris

J.T. Cleveland, Sam Houston State

LeRoy Cummings, Savannah State

Blake Oliaro, San Diego

Kenneth Boatright, Southern Illinois

Cody Larsen, Southern Utah

Willie Jefferson, Stephen F. Austin

Malcolm Mattox, Stephen F. Austin

Frank Beltre, Towson

Montori Hughes, UT-Martin