CMU Football Names Tri-Captains

MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University head football coach Brian Kelly has named senior defensive end Daniel Bazuin of McBain (Mich.) High School, senior linebacker Ike Brown of Bridgeport (Mich.) H.S., and senior offensive tackle Joe Staley of Rockford (Mich.) H.S., tri-captains for the 2006 season.

“I know these young men as a coach and as a mentor, and I trust them with my reputation and the reputation of this program,” Kelly said. “These three individuals are clearly the leaders of this team, both on and off the field. We have other seniors in positions of leadership as well, and that is not going to change, but these three stand out not only for what they do on the field, but how they carry themselves off it as well.”

A 2006 preseason All-American, Daniel Bazuin is one of the top returning defensive players in college football. He is a member of the watch list of six major national awards, including the Walter Camp Award (national player of the year), Bednarik Award (nation’s most outstanding defensive player) and Nagurski Trophy (nation’s top defensive player). The reigning Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year set new CMU records for sacks (16) and tackles for loss (26.5) in 2005. He has been selected to play in the 2007 East-West Shrine Game.

Isaac Brown was a second-team All-MAC honoree in 2005 while playing his third position in as many years. A running back as a true freshman, Brown started all 11 games at safety in 2004 before settling in at the drop linebacker position a year ago. He was in on 73 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, and made 10 stops in three different games last season.

Joe Staley is entering his second season as the Chippewas’ starting left tackle. He was a preseason first team All-MAC selection by Athlon Sports and has been chosen to play in the 2007 East-West Shrine Game. He did not allow a sack in 2005 and has started 22 consecutive games: 11 at left tackle in 2005 and 11 at right tackle in 2004.

Central Michigan opens the 2006 season on Thursday, Aug. 31, hosting Boston College at 6 p.m. ESPN2 will televise the contest to a national audience.