Greyhounds sign Gopher duo

Published on February 14, 2005 under United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Ohio Valley Greyhounds News Release


WHEELING, WV – The Ohio Valley Greyhounds of the United Indoor Football Association are proud to announce the signing of two former Minnesota Golden Gophers, Tony Patterson (6-3, 201) and Paul Nixon (6-1, 235).

Patterson played wideout for Minnesota from 2000 to 2003, playing under the direction of Head Coach Glen Mason. Tony became one of Quarterback Asad Abdul-Kaliq's favorite targets during his tenure as a Gopher, reeling in 67 catches for 840 yards and four scores over his collegiate stay in Minnesota. Patterson progressed year by year at wide receiver, seeing his reception total progress from 12 recepetions as a Freshman in 2000 to 14, 20 and 21 catches during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons, respectively. In 2002 and 2003, Tony was fourth on the team in receptions. His peak performance came as a sophomore in 2001, when Kaliq found Patterson seven times for 99 yards and a score on November 17th at Iowa.

Patterson was recruited as a quarterback after culminating a stellar session on the gridiron for East High School in Belleville, Illinois.

Nixon began his tenancy at Minnesota as a strong safety, weighing in at 180 pounds. By his senior season of 2003, Paul had become a 245-pound defensive end for Mason's Gophers. Nixon finished up his eligibility with 63 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 12 tackles for loss. 2002 would prove to be his best season, as Paul racked up 35 tackles, six sacks (tied for fourth in the Big Ten), and eight tackles for loss (led the team). On November 2nd of that year, Nixon set a career high by recording three sacks vs. Ohio State, his favorite team as a child.

Paul attended Mifflin (Ohio) High School and is a native of Columbus. He was recruited as a football and track star out of high school by the likes of Hawaii, Dartmouth, Princeton, and the Gophers. The Mifflin gridder carried his team to a 31-10 record over his four years of interscholastic play. Paul was also selected to the "Big 33" game, pitting the best high school football stars from Ohio and Pennsylvania against each other on the same turf.

Nixon was listed by scout.com as a Top-100 Big Ten Draft Eligible Player for the 2004 NFL draft.



United Indoor Football Association Stories from February 14, 2005


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