With 15 of his 16 career sacks coming in the last two seasons, senior defensive end Alan Baxter has come on strong the last two years of his career.

Baxter’s efforts during the regular season schedule were good enough to lead the team in sacks and tackles for loss, in the process garnering him first team All-MAC Honors.

“The thing about Alan, he’s a very high academic guy,” said defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen. “Give the guy credit, he spends a lot of time studying the tape, [putting in] extra work before and after practice. Doing everything you could ask him to do. ”

Baxter has posted his best season of his career at NIU in addition to the defense as a whole being much improved. In that same time the team has arguably found the most success it’s has in school history with its BCS Bowl berth.

Despite all the success and personal accolades, Baxter deflects most of the recognition.

“[I credit my] work ethic and having great, great coaches around me,” Baxter said. “That has taught me things that no one else has really taught me throughout my career.”

Even without being a major contributor stat-wise the first two seasons of his career, Baxter believes his time at NIU has been everything he could imagine.

“I can’t picture a better opportunity than I’ve had here,” Baxter said. “Four back-to-back bowl games, that’s top in the country.”

Nielsen credits Baxter’s senior status as another factor that has upped his level of play this year.

“Senior year, it’s his last go-around,” Nielsen said. “You’re more focused, you’re more detailed, you’re more determined. Once we started camp he was a difference maker from day one. We have a special senior leadership on the defensive line, in Sean [Progar], Nabal [Jefferson], and Alan. You don’t get that every year.”

Progar has known Baxter since high school and has found not only camaraderie with his defensive end doppelganger but also a friendly source of motivation.

“He’s a hard worker. He takes it personal when he messes up,” Progar said. “I think he didn’t get as much opportunity here at first. Since we’ve been here we’ve been competing in the weight room, sprints, on the field, technique, everything. It helps push each other.”

Progar believes one of the big changes that occurred for Baxter was what Nielsen referenced in the senior status. Progar believes with that status comes new expectations and necessary changes must follow.

“I think once he got the opportunity to start, you know, your mentality’s got to change,” Progar said. “You’re going to play a lot. Now those guys behind you are looking to you, now he’s a leader. He picked his game up; he got his opportunity to show what he could do. He obviously took advantage of it last year and this year he exploded onto the scene. He prepared for it as a senior and he played like a senior and I’m proud of him for that.”