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Football
The Panthers' running attack reached new levels in 2007 as the squad rushed for a school record 2,956 yards and 39 touchdowns. Leading the way was Lewis as he rushed for a school record 1,513 yards, including 220 in UNI's 38-35 win over New Hampshire in the NCAA FCS playoffs. Lewis averaged 116.38 yards per game to rank No. 2 in the conference and No. 19 in the nation. Austin was instrumental in helping running back Darian Williams attain Missouri Valley Football Conference Newcomer of the Year honors in 2006. Williams ranked eighth in the league in rushing yards per game (59.4) and ranked second on the team with 653 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. The Panthers' other feature back in '06 was Lewis, who rushed for a team-high 894 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Lewis ranked No. 27 in the nation and No. 5 in the MVFC in rushing yards/game (99.3). In 2005, Austin helped running back David Horne set the UNI single-season rushing touchdown record with 17. Horne rushed for 1,141 yards to lead the Panthers into the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA FCS national title game. Along with Horne's accomplishments, the Panthers were able to mix in fellow senior Terrance Freeney into the UNI running game. Freeney rushed 172 times for 656 yards and nine touchdowns in 2005. Prior to the 2007 season Austin was selected to attend the 2007 NCAA Football Coaching Academy in Indianapolis, Ind. The academy, targeted for minority coaches, is a preparatory class for becoming a head coach with participants selected by a committee from the NCAA. Austin served as a graduate assistant at Southwest Minnesota State University (2003-2004), the first working with the secondary and the last aiding with the inside linebackers. Additional duties included helping with athlete strength and conditioning during the season, video coordination, breaking down of game film, and recruiting. A native of Tarpon Springs, Fla., Austin was a four-year starter as a defensive back at Iowa State University from 1998-2002. He received honorable mention All-Big 12 honors by The Associated Press in 2001 and was presented the 2002 Reuben J. Miller Award, given to the player whose conduct on and off the field has brought honor to ISU. He redshirted in 1998, then compiled 173 career tackles, including 146 solos and 27 assisted stops. He also was credited with 33 pass deflections and two interceptions. As a senior, he was voted the team's defensive MVP against Florida State when he tallied five tackles, including four solos. He started 10 games in 2001, finishing the year ninth on the squad with 55 total stops and leading the team with 10 breakups. He started the last nine games in 1999 and was moved from running back to cornerback when he earned a spot in the two-deep heading into fall practice. Austin rushed for 1,995 yards and 16 TDs as a senior at Tarpon Springs. He was invited to play in the Florida-Georgia All-Star Game and was selected for the Palms/Pinellas County All-Star game. He was named Pinellas County's Extraordinary Athlete of the Year in 1997 and to the Super 24 squad. He was a first team all-state selection and earned Pinellas County's and the North Conference Player of the Year Award. In addition, he was one of two athletes honored with the Ricky Bell Award for student-athletes in the Tampa area. He was voted MVP and offensive MVP by his teammates as a senior. He played tailback, quarterback, cornerback and wide receiver and also participated in wrestling and track, competing in the high jump, 400m, 4x400 and 4x100 relays. Austin majored in Sociology and Exercise and Sport Science at ISU and earned his master's in Leadership and Education from Southwest Minnesota in January. He was a four-year Honor Roll recipient as a prep. He was a member of Citizens Alliance for Progress, an organization that acknowledges strong academic performance. He was born Nov. 23, 1978, in Tampa, Fla. He and his wife, Tori, are the parents of D.J., 12, Amni, 7, and A.J. born Dec. 11, 2008.
The Austin File Coaching Experience Education Playing Experience Personal
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