Former TBT star shines for NMU

Posted Sep 8, 2009 by Bill Ward

Updated Sep 8, 2009 at 01:43 PM

Former Tampa Bay Tech football star Antonio Wallace has wasted no time making an impact for Northern Michigan University, earning Player of the Game honors in his debut for the Wildcats in their season opener against Northwood University on Saturday.

In the 23-21 loss to Northwood, Wallace, a true freshman, rushed for a team-high 79 yards on just five carries. That total includedhis first career touchdown 58 seconds into the fourth quarter, a 9-yard run that cut the deficit to 17-14. The 5-foot-9, 179-pound Wallace, one of six Floridians playing for the Cats including kicker Tony Leandri of Clearwater Central Catholic, also returned a punt 10 yards in the Northwood game.

At TBT, Wallace was a do-everything player, returning kicks and punts, playing running back and wide out for the Titans. After his performance Saturday for NMU. Wallace is expected to see more playing time in the Cats’ next game, Saturday against Tiffin (Ohio) University.

NMU plays in the NCAA’s Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and won a national title in football in 1975. The football team plays its home games indoors in the 8,000-seat Superior Dome.