* Missouri Valley Football Conference Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award
* MVFC Honor Roll
* 2008 Academic All-MVFC Second Team
* 2008 Phil Steele’s College Preview All-MVFC second team
Looking to put experience gained in 2008 to good use this season ... Talented student-athlete who has had determined look in his eye during spring practice and offseason workouts ... 2008 SEASON (JUNIOR): Started in all 11 games ... Completed 152-of-260 passes for 2,004 yards, 16 TDs and 15 interceptions ... Received Missouri Valley Football Conference Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award ... Named to the Academic All-MVFC second team ... Member of MVFC Honor Roll ... In NCAA Division I FCS statistics, ranked 39th in pass efficiency (131.98) and 61st in total offense (189.64 ypg) ... Completed 16-of-18 passes for a season-high 304 yards against Austin Peay (8-28-08) ... Recorded a career-high 23 completions and 38 attempts for 296 yards at Youngstown State (9-20-08) ... Twice had three TD passes, vs. Central Connectiuct State (9-6-08) and Austin Peay (8-28-08) ...Twice had four interceptions, at UNI (10-18-08) and at Youngstown State (9-20-08) ... Rushed eight times for a career-high 58 yards vs. South Dakota State (11-22-08) ... 2007 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): Saw limited action in back-up role ... Completed 10-of-14 passes for 144 yards and one TD ... Against Mississippi Valley State, hit 8-of-11 passes for 129 yards and one TD ... 2006 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Saw limited action in two games, but made the traveling squad for all six road contests ... Played for the short-handed Bison basketball team that was hit by injury late in the season ... 2005 SEASON (REDSHIRT): Sat out the season as a redshirt in the Bison program ... HIGH SCHOOL: 2004 Associated Press Player of the Year and finalist for Minnesota’s “Mr. Football” after leading East Grand Forks High School to the Class AAA state championship and 14-0 record ... First team Associated Press all-state quarterback for head coach Bruce Nelson ... Completed 150-of-242 passes for 2,459 yards, 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and rushed for 824 yards and 20 TDs on 171 carries ... Also handled punting, PAT and kickoff duties, averaging 35.6 yards on 28 punts ... Converted 26 PATs, four two-pointers and one field goal ... Credited with 144 tackles including 44 solos at strong safety ... Had three interceptions and five pass breakups ... Forced four fumbles and recovered three including one for a TD ... Two-time Northern Lakes Conference MVP (2003-04) ... Three-year all-conference pick ... Wendy’s Heisman finalist ... 2004 Grand Forks Herald and East Grand Forks Exponet Fall Athlete of the Year ... Three-time all-Grand Forks Herald team pick ... East Grand Forks went 31-4 during career ... Completed 291-of-528 passes for 5,243 yards, 59 TDs and 21 interceptions ... Rushed for 1,846 yards and 45 TDs on 413 carries (4.47 ypc) ... Averaged 34.6 yards on 87 career punts and 44.7 yards per kickoffs ... On defense, credited with 242 tackles including 96 solos and 2.5 sacks ... Finished with six interceptions, seven pass breakups, seven forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries ... On the basketball court, East Grand Forks’ all-time leading scorer ... Earned all-state second team honors last season ... Three-time all-city pick ... In track & field, competed in the triple jump (40’), 110 high hurdles (:16.5) and 300 hurdles (:43.5) ... PERSONAL: Majoring in management and marketing ... Recipient of 2009 Bob Lauf Memorial Scholarship ... Lists football, basketball, channel surfing and naps as his hobbies ... Family includes a younger sister, Ashley ... Son of Rusty and Anna Mertens.
Mertens’ Career Bests
Completions: 23 at Youngstown State, 9-20-08
Attempts: 38 at Youngstown State, 9-20-08
Passing Yards: 304 vs. Austin Peay, 8-28-08
Long Pass: 69 vs. Austin Peay, 8-28-08
Passing TDs: 3 vs. Central Connecticut State, 9-6-08; vs. Austin Peay, 8-28-08
Interceptions: 4 at UNI, 10-18-08; at Youngstown State, 9-20-08
Rushing Attempts: 8 vs. South Dakota State, 11-22-08; at Illinois State, 10-25-08
Rushing Yards: 58 vs. South Dakota State, 11-22-08
Long Rush: 23 vs. South Dakota State, 11-22-08
RUSHING G Att Yds TD Lg Avg/C Avg/G
2006 2 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
2007 4 1 -5 0 0 -5.0 -1.2
2008 11 49 82 3 23 1.7 7.5
Career 17 50 77 3 23 1.5 4.5
PASSING G Att Cmp Int Yds TD Lg Pct Avg/P Avg/G Effic
2006 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 00.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2007 4 14 10 0 144 1 32 71.4 10.3 36.0 181.4
2008 11 260 152 15 2004 16 69 58.5 7.7 182.2 132.0
Career 17 274 162 15 2148 17 69 59.1 7.8 126.4 134.5
TOTAL OFFENSE G Rush Pass Total Avg/G
2006 2 0 0 0 0.0
2007 4 -5 144 139 34.8
2008 11 82 2004 2086 189.6
Career 17 77 2148 2225 130.9
