Has combined efforts with teammates to provide the Bison with a solid defensive front ... Has outstanding raw ability and continues to build strength and improve technique ... Strong player with good quickness for his size ... Has started in all 33 games played during career ... 2008 SEASON (JUNIOR): Started in all 11 games ... Matched career-highs with four assisted tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks at nationally-ranked UNI (10-11-08) ... Matched season best four assisted tackles vs. Southern Illinois (10-4-08) ... Had 1.5 tackles for loss against Indiana State (11-1-08) ... Part of defense that led NCAA Division I FCS in pass defense, and ranked 3rd in sacks, 5th in total defense and tackles for loss, 19th in scoring defense and 22nd in rush defense ... Finished with 27 tackles including eight solos, five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks ... Earned 2009 all-Summit League indoor track & field honors after placing second in shot put with a throw of 50-feet, 3/4-inch ... 2007 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): Started in 11 of 11 games ... Credited with 23 tackles including 10 solo stops, four tackles for loss ... Recorded 3.5 sacks and matched his career best 1.5 sacks in the Bison comeback win over Cal Poly (11-10-07) ... Had one forced fumble at South Dakota State (11-17-07) ... Part of defensive unit that led the GWFC in rushing defense, pass defense and total defense ... Came up with a season-high four tackles against Illinois State (11-3-07) ... 2006 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Started in all 11 games last season ... Finished with 19 tackles including 12 solo stops, 4.5 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks and two quarterback hurries ... Also forced one fumble and added a sack against Minnesota (10-21-06) ... Credited with a career-high six tackles including four solos in the 45-0 win over Mississippi Valley State (10-14-06) ... 2005 SEASON (REDSHIRT): Sat out the season as a redshirt in the Bison program ... HIGH SCHOOL: 2005 graduate of Lyons Township High School ... Two-time all-conference performer on the defensive line for ... Lyons Township went 8-3 in 2004 and reached the second round of the Illinois Class 8A playoffs under the direction of head coach Jack Derning ... Academic all-conference selection ... 2005 Class AA champion in shot put ... Two-time state qualifier in track & field in the shot put (59’ 4”) and discus (160’ 10”) ... Active in musicals ... PERSONAL: Majoring in music education ... Lists football, music, theater and video games among his hobbies ... Plans to finish school and become a teacher and performer ... Family includes brothers, Pat and Tom ... Son of Jim and Kathy Fairbairn ... Father competed in track & field at Notre Dame.
Fairbairn’s Career Bests
Solo Tackles: 4 vs. Mississippi Valley State, 10-14-06
Assisted Tackles: 4 at UNI, 10-11-08; vs. Southern Illinois, 10-4-08
Tackles: 6 vs. Mississippi Valley State, 10-14-06
Tackles for Loss: 1.5 vs. Indiana State, 11-1-08; at UNI, 10-11-08; at Cal Poly, 11-10-07; vs. Mississippi Valley State, 10-14-06
Sacks: 1.5 at UNI, 10-11-08; at Cal Poly, 11-10-07
DEFENSIVE POINT CHART
Season G UT AT TT FF FR P,BU-D INT KB Pts. Sacks Penetr’s
2006 11 12 7 19 1 0 0 0 0 114 2.0 4.5
2007 11 10 13 23 1 0 0 0 0 124 3.5 4.0
2008 11 8 19 27 0 0 0 0 0 132 5.0 2.5
Career 33 30 39 69 2 0 0 0 0 370 10.5 10.5
