For Immediate Release

December 11, 2004

KUHN AND HOFFMAN TO PARTICIPATE IN 2005 WHATABURGER CACTUS BOWL

KINGSVILLE, Tex. - Shippensburg University senior fullback John Kuhn (York, Pa./Dover) and senior defensive end Ryan Hoffman (Phoenixville, Pa./St. Pius X) have been selected to participate in the 2005 Whataburger Cactus Bowl on January 7, 2005. The game will be played on the campus of Texas A&M-Kingsville on January 7, 2005. Kickoff is at 6:35 p.m. The game will be televised live on FOX Sports Southwest.

Kuhn and Hoffman, who were selected to the East team, join 80 other players from around the country in receiving this prestigious honor.

Kuhn finished his career at Shippensburg as the holder of 26 school records. This year, he totaled 1,487 yards on 293 carries and 14 touchdowns and averaged 123.9 yards per game. He finished his career with 4,685 rushing yards, 910 carries, 53 touchdowns, 5,300 all-purpose yards and 26 games with at least 100 yards rushing, all school records. Kuhn was named as a First-Team American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-American and earned his third First-Team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division selection. He was also a three-time First-Team Academic All-District II selection, a two-time First-Team Academic All-American and a Northeast Region finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is given to the top player in Division II.

Hoffman completed his career at Shippensburg this past fall with 159 total tackles, including 38 for loss and 14.5 sacks.  A two-time All-PSAC Western Division selection, Hoffman earned First-Team honors this year after being selected to the Second-Team last season.  He led the team in tackles for loss this season with 12.5 for 58 yards and in sacks with 4.5 for 38 yards in losses. The senior also totaled a team-high four quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.  Hoffman had at least one tackle for loss in nine of the teamπs 12 games this season and is currently one of eight finalists for the inaugural Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year award, which will be presented to the top lineman, offensive or defensive, in Division II.

Shippensburg finished the season with a 10-2 record this year, advancing to the second round of the 2004 NCAA Division II Football Championship. The Red Raiders led the PSAC in scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense.  The team is also ranked second nationally in scoring defense (13.6 points per game), fifth in total defense (255.2 yards per game), ninth in pass efficiency defense (88.8 rating), ninth in rushing offense (259.3 yards per game), 12th in rushing defense (94.6 yards per game), and 13th in turnover margin (1.1).

For more information on the 2005 Cactus Bowl, please visit http://www.cactusbowl.org.

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