NIU will face tough Iowa defense
August 28, 2007
Last season, Iowa defensive end Bryan Mattison had a career day on Oct. 28. On that cold fall afternoon, the junior compiled nine total tackles and broke up two passes.
It just so happens that on Oct. 28, 2006, Iowa’s opponent was NIU.
Entering his final college season, and third as a starter, the 6-foot-3, 272-pound lineman is coming off his best season.
As a junior, the Hawkeye put up 59 total tackles, 31 of which were solos, 11 tackles for a total loss of 74 yards and seven sacks for 57 yards. To add to his resume, Mattison also forced four fumbles, recovered one, broke up six passes and hurried the quarterback four times.
To compare, NIU defensive end Larry English had 51 total tackles, 32 of which were solos, 16 tackles for a total loss of 92 yards, and 12 sacks for 77 yards last season. The Huskie also forced four fumbles and recovered one.
With comparable statistics to English, NIU head coach Joe Novak knows that his offensive line will have to watch out for Mattison, along with the rest of Iowa’s defensive frontline.
“Their defensive front is outstanding, and that’s not coaches talk,” Novak said. “Ryan Mattison, I know his dad very well, he was a great player over in South Bend area at Penn High School, and he’s a heck of recruit. He’s got a high motor.”
That motor has brought attention to Mattison in the preseason.
The senior was named to the preseason second team All-Big Ten by CollegeFootballNews.com and was ranked the No. 27 defensive end in the nation by Phil Steele’s College Season Preview.
However, national attention is nothing new to the Mattison family. The senior’s father, Greg, is a co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach for the defending national champions Florida.
But all the attention hasn’t gone to the defensive end’s head. He’s still focused on one thing, and on one thing only — Iowa’s season opener against NIU.
“We’re worried about the first game and that’s not just a line that coach tells us,” Mattison said. “It’s the truth.”