Augustana linebacker
Nick Ovenden was the only Viking named to the 2005 All-North Central Football Team. Ovenden was a second team selection, while six of his teammates received honorable mention accolades from the league's seven head coaches.
Ovenden is a 6-foot, 220-pound junior from Sioux Falls. In his first year as the Vikings' starting middle linebacker, Ovenden led the team in tackles with 99 (57 solo, 42 assists). Those numbers ranked him second in the NCC in tackles. He also had 12 tackles for a loss of 39 yards, including 4 sacks minus-23 yards. In addition, he had 1 interception, 1 pass breakup, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.
A two-time NCC Defensive Player of the Week, Ovenden recorded at least 10 tackles in 5 games, including a career-high 21 tackles against St. Cloud State. Then, against Minnesota-Duluth, he made two game-saving plays to preserve a Viking win. First, he sacked UMD quarterback Ted Schlafke, forcing a fumble in the process. Ovenden then recovered the fumble. Moments later he intercepted a Schlafke pass with a little over 1 minute to play.
The other six players to earn honorable mention recognition include offensive lineman
Brian Osterday, wide receiver
Tommy Ellingworth, quarterback
Tommy Flyger, defensive lineman
Craig Bosch, linebacker
Dustin Rice and punter
Joe Nordin.
Augustana went 6-5 this season and 2-4 in the NCC. It was the Vikings' first winning season since going 7-4 in 2002.
