Senior co-captains Adrian Pynenberg and Mike Russell have been named preseason All-Americans by Lindy's College Football 2007 Preview. The national magazine has also ranked the Little Giants 16th in its annual publication. Pynenberg was a First Team selection at linebacker, while Russell earned Second Team honors as a wide receiver.
Pynenberg (left) was named one of the top players in the nation by Lindy's for the second consecutive season, earning First Team honors in 2006. He was the 2006 North Coast Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in addition to being selected to the D3football.com All-America Second Team. Pynenberg led the Wabash defense for the third consecutive season in tackles, amassing 101 stops in 10 games. He was fourth in the conference in total tackles, tied for second in tackles for losses (14), and third in sacks (7.5). Pynenberg had a career-best 20 tackles against Millikin, one of five games he reached double figures in total tackles. He is currently second in school history in career tackles for losses with 47, fourth in total tackles (283), and eighth in quarterback sacks (18.5).
Russell (right) was fifth in the nation in 2006 with a 105.2 receiving yards per game average and 29th with an average of six receptions per contest. He led the NCAC with 60 catches for 1,052 yards and tied for the top spot with 13 TD receptions to earn First Team All-Conference and D3football.com First Team All-North Region honors. He became the fourth Wabash player in school history to top the 1,000 receiving yards mark.
Lindy's named the October 13 game between Wabash and Wittenberg at Byron P. Hollett Little Giant Stadium one of their key games to watch during the 2007 season. The two teams tied for the NCAC title in 2006 with 6-1 league records.
The Little Giants open the 2007 season at home against Franklin on September 8. The Grizzlies defeated Wabash 45-38 in overtime in the 2006 season opener.
Lindy's College Football 2007 Preview is currently on sale at newsstands across the country.