Central’s Reilly A Finalist for Harlon Hill Trophy

November 17, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Central Washington University’s record-setting quarterback Mike Reilly advances to the final round of voting for the Division II Football Player of the Year. On Monday, Nov. 17, 2008, Reilly was announced as one of eight national finalists for the 2008 Harlon Hill Trophy.

The Wildcats' record-setting senior quarterback is one six quarterbacks who will join a wide receiver and one running back on the national ballot.

Reilly completed his collegiate career with the Wildcats Saturday, Nov. 15 as Central fell to host West Texas A&M, 49-42, in the opening round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Reilly, the unanimous 2008 Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Offensive Player of the Year, threw for a career-high 420 yards in his final game as a Wildcat. He also established a single-game career-high for total offensive yards (461) and pass attempts (61), and he matched his career-high of five touchdown passes in a game.

In addition to the single-game totals against West Texas A&M, Reilly also broke the final two career major passing records in school history, becoming Central's all-time leader for yards (12,448) and pass attempts (1,553). At the end of his Wildcat career, he owns nearly every career passing record in the history of the program, surpassing NFL quarterback Jon Kitna in the process.

Reilly has also left his mark among the NCAA Division II all-time ranks. He finished his career ranked third in Division II history in passing yards and total offense, and his 46 consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass were a NCAA all-divisions record. Reilly also posted a 34-12 record as the Wildcats' starting quarterback.

Sports information directors at the 154 football-playing Division II institutions have until Nov. 29 to cast their ballots. The three players receiving the highest amount of votes will be invited to attend a trophy presentation ceremony Friday, Dec. 12 in Florence, Ala.

2008 Harlon Hill Trophy Finalists are:

Trevor Harris, Jr., QB, Edinboro (Pa.)
Brad Iciek, Jr., QB, Grand Valley State (Mich.)
A.J. Milwee, Sr., QB, North Alabama
Mike Reilly, SR., QB, Central Washington University
Corey Russell, Sr., QB, Tusculum (Tenn.)
Ted Schlafke, Sr., QB, Minnesota Duluth
Bernard Scott, Sr., RB, Abilene Christian (Texas)
Michael Washington, Sr., WR, West Chester (Pa.)

Media Contact: Jonathan Gordon, Wildcat Athletics, 509-963-1485, gordonj@cwu.edu
Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, 509-963-1416, olint@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of placebound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.