Dan Dierking Season 2008

Career: Played in 48 of 49 games, with 14 starts, since joining the team in 2007 as a true freshman, did not redshirt. Played multiple positions including running back, fullback, wide receiver, and played on all the special teams. From 2007-2009 led the team with over 30 special teams tackles. Was Academic All-Big Ten 4 years in a row, this involves lettering in a varsity sport while maintaining above a 3.0 G.P.A. Led the Boilermakers as a senior into the 2010 as a captain and led the team with 718 all purpose yards. Ended career with a total of 30 catches for 298 yards and 3 touchdowns (9.9 yards per catch). Ended with 172 rushing attempts for a total of 749 yards and 5 touchdowns (4.4 yards per carry). Signed a Free agent contract with the Chicago Bears on July 28, 2011.

2010: Team co-captain... Academic All-District V and Academic All-Big Ten. Named to the ESPN.com[apos]s 2010 All-Senior Big Ten team... Appeared in 11 of the 12 games, including 10 starts... Was forced to sit out against Ohio St (Oct 23) due to fractured ribs and an injured neck... Led the 2010 Boilermakers with 718 All Purpose yards... Led the team with 118 carries for 530 yards maintaining a 4.5 yard average... Ranked fourth on the team with 20 receptions for 173 yards leading to an 8.7 yard average... Led the team with 5 touchdowns on the season... Returned one kickoff for 15 yards against Notre Dame (Sep 4)... Scored the game winning touchdown against a #25 ranked Northwestern (Oct 9) with 1:30 seconds on the clock... Recorded a total of four tackles on special teams... Rushed for a career-high 127 yards on 12 carries with a 10.5 yard average vs. Minnesota (Oct. 16)... Had a career high of 5 receptions against Notre Dame (Sep 4) for 28 yards and Toledo (Sep 25) for 50 yards... Had his most receiving yards against Indiana (Nov 27) for 52 yards on 4 catches (13 yard average)... Scored two touchdowns against Western Illinois (Sep 11) when he rushed for 102 yards on 14 carries.

2009: Academic All-Big Ten ... appeared in all 12 games, including three starts ... had three carries for four yards (1.3 average) and four receptions for 71 yards (17.8 average) and one touchdown ... recorded 10 tackles (9 solo, 1 assist) on special teams ... caught two passes for 62 yards vs. Michigan State on Nov. 14 ... caught a 4-yard touchdown pass and returned a short kickoff for 20 yards at Indiana on Nov. 21.

2008: Academic All-Big Ten ... appeared in all 12 games as reserve and on special teams ... had nine carries for 34 yards (3.8 average) ... caught one pass for two yards ... recorded 10 tackles (8 solo, 2 assists) on special teams ... recovered a short kickoff vs. Oregon on Sept. 13 ... had six carries for season-high 24 yards vs. Indiana on Nov. 22.

2007: Appeared in all 13 games, including one start ... had 42 carries for 181 yards (4.3 average) and two touchdowns ... caught five passes for 52 yards (10.4 average) ... recorded 11 tackles (10 solo, 1 assist) on special teams ... rushed for career-high 54 yards and a touchdown vs. Eastern Illinois on Sept. 8 ... caught four passes for 44 yards (11 average) vs. Ohio State on Oct. 6 ... made first career start at Michigan on Oct. 13 ... had three special teams tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) vs. Central Michigan in Motor City Bowl on Dec. 26.

High School: Three-star prospect and ranked No. 50 running back nationally by Rivals.com ... ranked as No. 22 player in Illinois by Rivals.com ... named Illinois Player of the Year by Gatorade and Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune Player of the Year as senior after rushing for 2,509 yards (8.1 average) and 37 touchdowns ... rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns in state championship game victory over Mt. Carmel ... totaled 2,020 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns his junior year and 1,780 yards and 26 touchdowns as sophomore ... set school records for career rushing yards (6,309) and touchdowns (98) ... coach was Ron Muhitch ... prep teammate of fellow Boilermaker Kurt Lichtenberg ... also participated in track and field and wrestling.

Personal: Given name is Daniel James Dierking ... born June 15, 1988 ... management major ... enjoys hunting, fishing, attending church and hanging out with friends ... father, Scott, was fullback at Purdue from 1973 to 1976 and ranks fourth in school history with 2,863 rushing yards ... named first team All-Big Ten as senior ... subsequently played in National Football League for New York Jets (1977-83) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1984) ... mother, Erin, graduated from Purdue and sister, Caitlin, attends Purdue.