Cresson native an All-American

By ERIC KNOPSNYDER
The Tribune-Democrat

December 15, 2005 10:49 pm

— Dan Peters was on the “hands” team for one reason: To handle a squib kick against West Liberty State.
Instead, the Penn Cambria graduate fumbled the opening kickoff. He promised his coaches at Shepherd (W.Va.) University that he would make up for it.
He certainly did that, intercepting four passes in the Rams’ 34-7 victory over West Liberty. The junior free safety ended the season with 12 interceptions – the most at any level of collegiate football – and set a conference record.
Peters was honored Thursday by being named to The Associated Press Little All-America team.
“I never could have thought about the chance to be an All-American,” Peters said Thursday in a telephone interview from Cresson. “I’ve been all-conference the past two years. That’s good, but it’s not All-American.”
The West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s defensive player of the year, Peters was remarkably consistent, picking off a pass in eight different games. He also had 43.5 tackles, including 30 solo stops, and was named to the Daktronics Division II All-Northeast Region Team.
“He’s been an outstanding player,” Shepherd coach Monte Cater said. “We’re really proud of him and the things that he’s done quarterbacking our defense. I can’t say enough good things about him.”
Peters is a key component in the Rams’ 4-4 defense, which ranked in the top 10 nationally in five major categories. But the Cresson native credited his teammates for helping him put up such lofty numbers.
“A lot of it has to do with the team that I played on,” Peters said. “All 11 guys on the team can play football. We can go two or three deep on the bench. When the people know what they are doing, I can be back there playing center field.”
Peters did that very well, as he intercepted seven passes in a four-game stretch. He has 18 career picks.
“It seemed like for three or four games there, I was almost the receiver and running the route,” Peters said. “But you still have to catch it when it gets there.”
Peters does more than just defend the pass. Cater said he offers strong run support, plays well in pressure situations and is a team leader. But there is something else as well:
“The best thing about him is that we have him back for another year,” Cater said.
So what can Peters do for an encore after averaging an interception per game?
“Win a national championship,” Peters said without hesitation.
The Rams went 11-0 this season before a 28-21 loss to C.W. Post in the second round of the Division II playoffs snapped Shepherd’s 18-game winning streak.
“Even if I get 12 interceptions next year, that wouldn’t be as good as winning a national championship,” Peters said.

Eric Knopsnyder can be reached at 532-5080 or eknopsnyder@tribdem.com.