| Nick Bender |
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 | Class:
Senior
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| Hometown:
Nazareth, Pa.
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| High School:
Notre Dame High School
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| Height / Weight:
6-2 / 231
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| Position:
Linebacker
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| Birthdate:
03/11/1978
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| Experience:
3VL
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An active, hard-working, hard-hitting defender
will play this year while attending graduate school ... he earned his degree in education from Wake Forest in the spring ... competing for a starting job at one inside linebacker position ... not blessed with great size for his position, but compensates with tremendous effort and desire
a tough, hard-nosed, experienced veteran ... knows the Deacon system very well ... a coach on the field ... will also be a regular on special teams ... a three-year letterwinner... a reserve inside linebacker and a regular contributor on special teams ... after redshirting in 1996 has earned varsity letters the past three seasons, primarily on special teams in 1997, then as a backup linebacker and special teams performer the past two years ... enters the fall campaign listed No. 2 on the depth chart behind Marquis Hopkins.
1999
Played in nine regular season games, tallying 17 tackles (10 solo) ... netted a season-high seven tackles (3 solo) in the season opener at Army ... was on the field for 29 snaps in that game ... had four tackles, including three solos in WFUs 23-3 win over Arizona State in the Jeep Aloha Bowl.
1998
Played in all 11 games, usually for brief periods at linebacker, and as a regular on special teams
loss of Dustin Lyman in early October allowed him to earn more playing time during a three-game stretch when he contributed six tackles at Maryland, a career-high 10 against North Carolina, and six unassisted stops versus Virginia
played the entire second half of that contest with the Tar Heels and accumulated a personal high of 53 snaps on the afternoon
very productive against Virginia with three of his six tackles accounting for losses (a total of 9 yds), including two sacks
saw less action during final month of the schedule with some realignment on the WFU defense, but still remained a force on kick coverage, leading to his team-high 10 tackles in that department.
Background
Achieved numerous honors during his career at Notre Dame High under coach Jeff Knarr
selected all-state (2nd team) in 1995 after totaling 124 tackles and 12 sacks as a senior
also blocked two punts as a special teams player
first team all-area and all-conference as well
started three years at linebacker for Notre Dame
competed very successfully as a sprinter (100 & 200 meters) on the track squad
threw the shot and discus, too
excelled in the classroom by earning National Honor Society recognition while ranking eighth in his class (of 117)
enjoys outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hunting and fishing
an ACC Honor Roll member and Deans List student majoring in education
age 22 (born 3/11/78).
Career Statistics
Year UT AT Total TFL Sacks
1998 21 8 29 5/-13 2/-8
1999 10 7 17 0/0 0/0
Totals 31 15 46 5/-13 2/-8
Most Tackles
10 vs North Carolina, 10/24/98
Most Unassisted Tackles
6 vs North Carolina, 10/24/98; 6 vs Virginia, 10/31/98
