Brunner earning spotlight for ISU

NORMAL - Defensive tackles don't usually rate high in visibility on a college football team.

And despite a second-team selection to the Missouri Valley Football Conference all-star team in 2009, Illinois State's Eric Brunner falls comfortably into that category.

So when asked about another Redbird defender on Tuesday, ISU coach Brock Spack seized the opportunity to shift the discussion to Brunner.

"He is as good of a player as there is in this conference right now," Spack offered. "Eric is a tremendous football player. He doesn't get the credit he deserves. I can't explain what he does for our team defensively. He's our best player."

Brunner, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound junior, was voted ISU's defensive Most Valuable Player in 2009 after registering 47 tackles.

He has 12 tackles this season for the 2-1 Redbirds, three tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery entering Saturday's 6 p.m. game against Missouri State at Hancock Stadium.

Spack pointed to one play in last Saturday's win over South Dakota State as an indication of Brunner's prowess.

"He took on a double team. They brought a guard around on a power," said the ISU coach. "He beat the double team, and they're big guys, 320 (pounds) apiece. Then he blew up the guard and almost made the tackle in the backfield. So he almost beat four guys."

Ericksen in return lane: Sophomore Ben Ericksen started ISU's season with an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Central Missouri on Sept. 2.

Ericksen has continued to be a special teams force for the Redbirds and is averaging 28.6 yards per return. That ranks second in the Valley and 18th nationally.

Extra points: Defensive tackle Mike Piton may return to action this week after missing the past two games with a knee injury.

"We'll have to see how sore he gets and how confident he is in the knee," Spack said.

Freshman defensive back Steve Nelson is back at practice this week. The brother of former Redbird Tom Nelson has yet to see game action because of shoulder problems.

"We'll work him into activity and see how he responds," said Spack. "If he has another issue, we're going to pull him and get it fixed."

Tailback Erik Smith sat out practice Tuesday because of a contusion but is expected to play Saturday.

CUTLINE: Eric Brunner

PUB: The Pantagraph

PUB DATE: 20100922

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