Pantagraph · Sep 30, 2016
ISU will not face star linebacker DeLuca
FARGO, N.D. — Only one FCS player made this season's watch list for the Dick Butkus Award as the top linebacker in college football.
That player, Nick DeLuca, can be found on the North Dakota State roster. DeLuca, however, will not be found on the Fargodome playing surface during Saturday’s 1 p.m. game against Illinois State.
“It’s a big deal. Nick is a dynamic player,” NDSU coach Chris Klieman said of DeLuca, who will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. “Make no mistake, Nick is one of the best linebackers in all of FCS, and he was playing at such a high level in the run game and pass game. We’re going to miss him.”