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Contact: Louis Groce, Graduate Assistant to the Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Jeremy Rushing, Student Sports Information Assistant)

Nov. 12, 2012 - As a freshman, Nick Kukuc mainly saw time on special teams, both on kick coverage and kick returns.  Nick returned 12 kickoffs for a total of 231 yards, which was good for 20th nationally in kick return average (26.8).  The Naperville native recovered a block punt for a touchdown against Carthage, earning CCIW Special Teams Player of the Week honors in the process.  In the backfield, Nick ran for a season high 104 yards and a touchdown against North Park. 

Nick saw his role transition from special teams to one of the primary backs as a sophomore.   Nick ran for just shy of 800 yards on the season, posting a team high 13 touchdowns.  Out of the backfield, he caught 10 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown.  Nick made the most of the limited time he saw on special teams.  The physical education major returned eight kickoffs for an average of 34 yards per return, including an 88 yard return for a touchdown against North Park (third-longest in school history).  Nick tied for first in the CCIW in scoring with 90 points, marking the third-highest single season total in school history.  He saved his best for when it mattered most, rushing for a career high 137 yards and two touchdowns in a second round playoff win against Ohio Northern.

Nick's third season in the red and white proved to be quite the charm, as he set a new North Central single season rushing record with 1,206 yards.  The Naperville Central grad also led the team in touchdowns with 12.  He finished the season ranked second in the CCIW in rushing yards, third in all-purpose yards (1,337), and sixth in scoring (72).  Nick also finished the season as a First Team All-CCIW selection.
Q: When did you first start playing football?
A: Eigth grade was my first year.  It was actually an accident, my gym teacher saw me running around with a bunch of kids and asked if I had ever played running back, which I hadn't, and now I'm here (laughs). 

Q: As a freshman you were in on special teams a lot, that's obviously not the case anymore.  What's the biggest difference, in your mind, from returning kicks to running out of the backfield?
A: Out of the backfield you have more of a sense of where the blocking is going to be.  On special teams, there's just a lot of running around.  There's a lot of spontaneity on special teams, a lot of times kicking teams don't stay in their lanes or will try different coverage schemes.  Out of the backfield it's more consistent blocking wise.

Q: Who is your favorite professional football player?
A: I would have to say my favorite player is Barry Sanders.  Before every game I look at his highlights and imitate his balance and speed.

Q: Which players did you try to emulate growing up?
A: I always looked at Brett Favre and his passion for the game.  I look at how he played through all his injuries and his consecutive games streak really shows his dedication and passion.

Q: What other positions have you played in your football career?
A: I started off as a cornerback and linebacker in eighth grade.  My freshman year of high school I was actually a nose guard at 5'2, 140 pounds (laughs).  My sophomore year I played both ways at linebacker and running back, but ever since then just running back.

Q: What's it like playing for head coach John Thorne?
A: It's great. You can tell he actually cares about you as a person and not just as a player.  He would rather you come out of the program as a great man and great human being than a great football player.

Q: What's your pre-game ritual?
A: I drink my Pedialite and Smart Water before every game to keep from cramping up.  I try to wear the same things and do the same things.  We actually purchased new jerseys this year but I like to keep wearing my old red home jersey for home games because it just feels right to wear it.  I also have this red sock that I wear (laughs), just one red sock.  It just kind of happened one day and I had a good game so I stuck with it.

Q: How did it feel to break the single season school record for rushing yards last season?
A: It was nice knowing all my life I had been told I couldn't do stuff, including be a successful running back.  So to achieve this goal with the help of the wide receivers, offensive line, defense, and especially the scout team was a huge honor for me. 

Q: Last season you were a First Team All-CCIW selection, what was that like for you?
A; It was great.  It just shows that we have a great offensive line that Jordan (Tassio) also got second team.  So to have two guys on there really says a lot about the job our o-line does.

Q: What's your favorite class you have taken here at North Central?
A: I'm actually in a really tough class right now called “Western Civilization II” and that class is really interesting.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I'd like to pursue my athletic career any way possible, but if that doesn't work out I want to become a teacher.  I'd like to teach and coach.  I really want to be around high school athletes and set them on the right track.

Q: What's the best advice you have ever been given?
A: Probably to play every down like it's my last. You never know when it could be taken away from you.  Spend time with your family because you never know when they could be gone.