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  • Senior linebacker Dan Fehlberg started last season as a backup and finished as Minnesota State’s leading tackler. Pat Christman

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September 1, 2010

Minnesota State’s Dan Fehlberg is the closer

Undersized linebacker led Mavs in tackles in ’09

By Chad Courrier Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — Last season, about a week before the opener, Dan Fehlberg found out he’d be replacing popular Tony Hunter as Minnesota State’s starting middle linebacker.

“I was a little nervous and excited,” Fehlberg said. “It was my chance to help the team in a bigger role. Tony did a great job of making the other players better. I started taking things more seriously.”

The Mavericks open the season at 6 p.m. today with a nonconference game against Northern Michigan at Blakeslee Stadium. Fehlberg, who stepped in when Hunter’s academic requirement for an athletic training degree didn’t allow him to play football, was going to play a lot last season as a backup linebacker and on special teams. But the extra snaps allowed him to be the team’s leading tackler.

“The middle linebacker is a position where we expect someone to see a lot of action,” coach Todd Hoffner said. “The defense funnels things to you, and a lot of decisions have to be made fast. He’s a closer and a finisher. He did well last year, and we hope he can do better this season.”

At 208 pounds, Fehlberg was undersized in the middle last season, but the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doesn’t have a lot of power running teams. Minnesota Duluth has big linemen and a tough runner, and Augustana tries to pound the middle, but many teams rely more on the spread.

“If we were playing in the Big Ten, bigger players would be better,” Hoffner said. “In this league, you need a lot of speed in your back seven. We’re built for speed and rushing the passer, and Dan’s perfect for that.”

Now a senior, Fehlberg is up to 218 pounds, though he said he’s stronger and faster.

“Most teams must think it’s crazy when they see (our defense) on film,” Fehlberg said. “I’m the biggest linebacker, but if you’re doing things correctly and if you’re in the right spots, you can make the plays.”

Last season, Fehlberg made 89 tackles, including four solos and three tackles for loss. He had two interceptions and earned second-team All-NSIC South honors. He has 153 tackles for his career.

This season, he’s even more comfortable in his leadership role, making sure everybody is lined up properly on each play.

“His maturity level has been impressive,” Hoffner said. “He takes his responsibilities seriously.”

Fehlberg said he wants the defense, which returns seven starters, to be the strength of the team, though he said he has trust in the less-experienced offense. He wants his unit to get more pressure and contain on the quarterback, which makes it easier on the coverage players.

He’s not sure what to expect from Northern Michigan tonight, though the Wildcats play in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. That league features Ashland University and Hillsdale University, the teams that have ended the last two seasons for Minnesota State.

“We expect to win,” Fehlberg said. “Last year, everybody was congratulating us on our season, but we were disappointed because we knew we had a chance to (beat Hillsdale). It’s real important for us to defend our home turf. Our season ended with a loss at home, that’s not Maverick football.”

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