| Andy Birkel |
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2006: Redshirted.
2005: Finished with 50 receptions for 907 yards with 10 touchdown catches... Named first-team All-Great West Football Conference by the media and honorable mention by the coaches... Caught a season-high eight passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears' 35-19 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Sept. 17... Recorded a season-high 132 yards against Western Illinois on Sept. 8, and came close with 131 in the final game of the season at UC Davis.
2004 (at Nebraska): Played in only one game, battling injuries the entire season.
2003 (at Nebraska): Played in the first four games of the season with no receptions... Missed several games at mid-season with a foot injury, but returned to the practice field by season's end.
High School: Birkel was named the Nebraska High School Athlete of the Year by both the Omaha World-Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star in 2002-03... Finished his senior year at Southeast with 31 catches for 747 yards and 10 touchdowns, an average of better than 24 yards per catch... Also started at defensive back and finished with 38 tackles and three interceptions... Earned first-team All-Nebraska honors from the Omaha World-Herald and was a first-team Class A all-state pick... Lincoln Journal Star tabbed Birkel to its super-state squad as a receiver ... Won all-class gold medals in the 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes at the 2003 state track meet... Also played a starting role as a guard on the state runner-up basketball team in 2003... Began his high school career at Lincoln East, earning honorable-mention all-state honors in 2001, with 14 catches for 329 yards and five touchdowns.
Personal: Born on Jan. 30, 1985... Son of Nick and Cherie Birkel... Majoring in business.
