NDSU

One of two returning starters on offensive line ... Preseason All-Great West Football Conference first team offense selection by media ... Three-year letterman who has excellent size, strength and toughness ... Displays great consistency ... Worked hard to improve quickness ... Has the potential to be a dominating player ... Natural leader with strong work ethic ... 2004 SEASON (JUNIOR): Started at right tackle in 10 games for NDSU ... Missed game against nationally-ranked Cal Poly due to an injury ... All-GWFC first team offense pick by both the coaches and media ... Honorable mention on CollegeSportsReport.com I-AA All-America team ... Named to Academic All-GWFC squad and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District second team ... Graded out at 91.1 during the season with 60 pancake blocks ... Bison rushed for 192.4 yards per game and averaged 378.5 yards total offense per game ... Season-high grade of 96% at Weber State (11-6-04) and tied a career best with eight pancake blocks ... North Dakota State led the conference in rushing offense in 2004 ... 2003 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): Played in all 11 games for the NDSU, helping the running offense gain 159.5 yards per game ... The Bison averaged 30.1 points and 355.5 yards of total offense per game ... Graded out at 90.5% and recorded 59 pancakes (5.36 ppg) ... Achieved a career-high grade of 97% and had eight pancake blocks against Augustana College ... Honorable mention to the Academic All-North Central Conference team in 2003 ... 2002 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Became starter at right tackle position after All-American Chuck Klabo went down with an injury ... Started the final five games in helping the Bison to 338 yards and 20 points per game averages ... 2001 SEASON (REDSHIRT): Sat out the 2001 season as a redshirt in the Bison grid program ... HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Brookings High School where he was a three-year starter and a first team All-State performer for the Class AA South Dakota state champions ... All-conference as both an offensive and defensive lineman ...Team captain and Most Valuable Player... Member of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader's Elite 45 team ... Charted 98 tackles including 10 sacks on defense and had over 60 pancake blocks on offense his senior season ... Also competed in track & field, hockey and baseball ... Qualified for state in both the shot put and discus ... PERSONAL: Majoring in elementary education with a minor in coaching and physical education ... Enjoys fishing, hunting and sports of all kinds in his off time ... Family includes one older sister ... Son Patrick and Nancy Jo Popowski of Watertown, S.D.