Senior quarterback Russ Harbaugh has been named to the American Football Coaches Association's Division III all-star team that will represent the United States against the Mexican National Team in the 2005 Aztec Bowl on December 17 in Toluca, Mexico.
Harbaugh, a 2005 Gagliardi Trophy finalist and the 2005 North Coast Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, led the Little Giants to an 11-1 record and was part of a senior class that recorded the most football victories in a four-year span at Wabash. He shattered almost every single season passing record in both the Wabash and NCAC record books, becoming the first Little Giant quarterback to throw for over 3,000 yards in a season. His 3,521 passing yards set the Wabash and NCAC records. He also set both school and conference records for single game completion percentage (19-of-20 for 95 percent vs. Denison), season completion percentage (273-of-394 for 69.3 percent), and the single season completions total. He also owns the Wabash and NCAC completion percentage record, finishing his four-year career with a mark of 65.4 percent (568-of-869).
Harbaugh is one of 46 NCAA Division III seniors from around the country who will make up this year's team. Former Central College head coach Ron Schipper will coach the team for the ninth consecutive year. Former DePauw head football coach Nick Mourouzis will serve as an assistant coach.
The Aztec Bowl is the traditional season-ending game for Mexico's college football season. The game has been played 34 times since 1947 with the last eight contests featuring the United States vs. Mexico match-up. The US team is 7-1 in the series, winning 23-3 in last year's game in Cancun. This year's game kicks off at 1 p.m. CST on December 17 at Estadio Chivo Cordova in Toluca.
Harbaugh is the third Wabash player to participate in the Aztec Bowl game. Former defensive standout BJ Hammer '01 played in the 2000 contest. H-back Jamie Bowers '99 was a member of the 1998 US Aztec Bowl team.
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