Kressin named Adams State's special teams player of week

The Adams State College football team named Daniel Kressin as the special teams player of the week for the Grizzlies’ September 12 game against Chadron State.

“It was good to be honored,” Kressin said. “It was nice to be noticed.”

One of the plays early in the game played in Chadron, NE, might have ended the season of the 2008 Fallbrook High School graduate.

While covering a punt, Kressin injured what is suspected to be his left anterior cruciate ligament. “I tried to get around a block and my knee just straightened,” he said.

Adams State plays in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, and the football team of RMAC opponent Western New Mexico State includes three other Fallbrook High School graduates.

Kressin will likely miss the October 3 game when Adams State hosts the Mustangs at Rex Stadium in Alamosa, CO.

“It’s a bummer. I was looking forward to playing against them,” he said.

Kressin tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in high school but still managed to earn second-team Avocado League honors as a junior in 2006. As a senior in 2007 he was named to the Avocado League’s first team.

He redshirted at Adams State during the 2008 football season.

Kressin wears uniform number 28, the same number he had at Fallbrook High School. He made his college football debut August 27 against Dixie State and had five tackles, including four solos, during the game at St. George, UT.

He was nominated for the Grizzlies’ special team player of the week honors for that game, although returner Trevor Zott was the recipient of that week’s recognition.

“It’s a lot faster and a lot more detailed and a lot more time into it,” Kressin said of the difference between high school and college football.

Kressin had two tackles in the September 5 game against Humboldt State, which was played in Alamosa.

He had been on the punt coverage, kickoff coverage, punt return, and kickoff return special teams for Adams State prior to his injury in Chadron. He also played backup free safety and backup strong safety.

Even if he is unable to return for the 2009 season, Kressin believes his playing time as a safety as well as on special teams will aid his efforts to start in 2010.

“Experience definitely helps a lot,” he said.

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