Northern Illinois University Nabal Jefferson Named MAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Week
Nabal Jefferson (Defensive Tackle, Senior, 3.78, Accountancy) was instrumental in Northern Illinois' 44-37 double-overtime win over then-No. 17 Kent State in the Marathon MAC Championship Game at Detroit's Ford Field, propelling the Huskies to a Discover Orange Bowl berth. The senior led the team with nine tackles, including 1.5 for loss.
Additionally, Jefferson anchored an NIU defensive line that limited prolific KSU running backs Dri Archer and Trayion Durham to a combined 87 yards, while holding the Golden Flashes to only 70 yards on the ground the entire night. The Chicago native was also named one of the National Football Foundation's National Scholar-Athletes in 2012 and will be present at Tuesday's awards ceremony in New York City.