SEVERAL BLUE TIGERS NAMED ALL-GLFC

   The 1-8 mark of the 2006 Lincoln University football team was not one of individual record setting performances, but a select few were awarded all-Great Lakes Football Conference honors for their efforts this season.  Freshman standout Derrick Manning (S, 6-0, 167) was chosen Freshman of the Year and picked to the second team defense, Brandon Kendrick (sr., OL, 6-1, 311) was a first team lineman, Gerardo Cornejo (sr., PK/K/P, 5-10, 175) tied with Brent Simonsen from Tiffin for punter honors on the second team and DeWitt Johnson (sr., WR/RS, 6-2, 208) tied with Calvin Weaver from Central (Ohio) State for second team return specialist accolades.   

   After sitting out the 2005 season, Kendrick made a seamless transition from tight end to offensive line.  The Kansas City, Mo. native was a mainstay on the Blue Tigers offensive line in 2006.  He started every game unselfishly playing wherever the coaching staff needed him most.  Kendrick was one of only two upperclassmen to start on the offensive line this season.  He began the season at left tackle then switched to center for the second game and played that position solidly for the majority of the season.

   Manning, who was also selected all-independents Freshman of the Year by D2football.com and all-independents second team defense led the Blue Tigers with 68 total tackles (51 solo, 34 assisted).  He was second on the Blue Tigers team in pass break ups (5) and tied for the top spot in forced fumbles (2).

   As a defensive back (safety), Manning was second in the GLFC at 9.4 total tackles per game.  Manning finished third in the GLFC in solo tackles (51) and tied for third in assisted tackles (34).  He wound up third in the GLFC with an average of 0.22 forced fumbles per game and ninth in passes defended (0.67 per game). 

   Manning, who hails from Waldorf, Md. ended the season ranked 22nd in NCAA DII in total tackles per game (9.4) and 8th in solo tackles per game (5.7).  On the season Manning hauled in one interception and made one fumble recovery.  

   Cornejo improved his season punting average in 2006 to 36 yards-per-punt, up from 33.5 ypp in 2005 and 33.8 ypp in 2004.  The senior from Bellflower, Calif., booted 67 punts (10 more than in 2005) for 2414 yards with a season long of 66 coming on the road at Langston (Okla.) University on Oct. 28, 2006.  In the Langston game, Cornejo averaged a season-high 41.4 yards-per-punt (five punts), a career record for games in which he had more than one punt.  Cornejo kicked six punts for 51 or more yards this season, better than his two of 2005.  He also left nine punts inside the 20-yardline of the opposition, improving his 2005 mark of eight and one of 2004.  The 36 ypp average by Cornejo placed him 2nd in the GLFC. 

   Johnson, a transfer from Southwest Baptist (Mo.) played two seasons for Lincoln University.  An increased workload in kick returns resulted in a lower kick return average in 2006 for Johnson.  In 2006, Johnson returned 25 kicks for 412 yards (16.5 yards-per-kick return average) with a long of 34 coming on the road at West Virginia State University on Sept. 9, 2006.  During

2005, Johnson brought back 11 kicks for 213 return yards (19.36 ypkr) with a long of 45 yards in the Miles College game Oct 15, 2005.  The 16.5 ypkr average by Johnson was 3rd in the GLFC.  In the GLFC, Johnson ranked 8th in all-purpose yards per game (83.2), 8th in receptions per game (3.0) and 10th in receiving yards per game (36.4).