Turner Competes in FCS National Bowl Game
(Ann Arbor, MI) On Sunday, December 6th, Concordia's very own Corey Turner (SR/Woodhaven, MI) represented our Cardinal football team in the National Bowl in Miami, Florida. The National Bowl is an all-star game that features the best senior players in Division II, Division III, and NAIA playing in one final collegiate game to show their skills for scouts from the NFL, CFL, and AFL. Turner reflected on the experience after returning from Miami, "It was a great opportunity to showcase my talents in front of scouts, and be able to compete with some of the best players from Division II, III, and NAIA. It also was a great feeling to be able to represent for CUAA." Turner had 1 catch for 33 yards.
Corey Turner was a 4-years starter and 3-year Captain for the Cardinals. Turner has set single season records and career records for receptions, yards and touchdowns. As a sophomore, Turner was named MSFA Mideast Honorable Mention, and in his Junior and Senior seasons he was also awarded MSFA Mideast League 2nd Team. In his final season playing for the Cardinals he finished with 7 touchdowns, 48 receptions and 595 yards. "Corey Turner means a great deal to our program because of the example he sets for the younger players. He is not only talented, but has a work ethic and humility that is awesome for our younger players to see," Head Coach Lonnie Pries commented.
Turner is set to graduate in the fall semester of 2016 with a major in Sport and Entertainment Business. He also plans to continue his work out regimen and keep in shape with the hopes of having the chance to perform in a pro-day. Turner appreciates the help he received to get to the National Bowl, "I am very thankful for the support from my friends, family, coaches, and school that made it possible for me to play in the National Bowl."
Holshoe Named Finalist for Cliff Harris Award
Junior Nick Holshoe (JR/Hopkins, MI) has also received national attention for his outstanding 2015 season. The defensive back accumulated an NAIA-leading 9 interceptions and was ranked in the top 15 with his 1.4 passes defended per game and 10.8 tackles per game. Holshoe was already named to the First-Team Defense of the MSFA Mideast League and has now been named a finalist for the prestigious Cliff Harris Award. This is the second consecutive year that a member of the Cardinal football program has been a finalist as Takari Johnson was recognized for his All-American season last year.
The Cliff Harris Award is presented to the nation's top small college defensive player representing more than 5,000 defensive players from almost 500 NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA schools. Cliff Harris was overlooked by many college recruiters, but ended up playing college football at the small Ouachita Baptist University in the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference. After college he went undrafted, but found his worked his way into a starting position on the Dallas Cowboys in 1970. In 10 seasons, Harris played in five Super Bowls (Won 2), was a 6-time Pro Bowl selection, and was named a first-team All-NFL player in four consecutive seasons.
Cliff Harris wants to make sure small-school players don't go unnoticed as he felt he did. "It's great to recognize the outstanding small college defensive players around the country. With more than 20 All-Americans and over 40 conference players of the year as finalists, this is truly a collection of the finest small college defensive players in America," Harris commented.
An overall winner will be announced on December 24 and honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club's annual awards banquet in February 2016. The winner will also receive the $3,000 Cliff Harris Award trophy presented by Cliff Harris himself. To read more about Cliff Harris and the award go to www.CliffHarrisAward.com.
Congratulations to both Corey Turner and Nick Holshoe on their fine seasons! For complete coverage of Cardinal Football, follow @CUAA_Football on Twitter or visit the official home of Concordia University Athletics at www.ConcordiaCardinals.com and @CUAACardinals.
