2011 • SENIOR SEASON: Started all 12 games at nose tackle • recorded 19 tackles (eight solo, 11 assisted) with one tackle-for-loss • recovered one fumble • named winner of Minnesota's Tony Dungy Character and Community Service Award • named the Gophers' defensive lineman of the year • earned fourth varsity letter.
Game-by-Game: Tallied two tackles in season opener at USC (9/3) • recorded two solo tackles in home opener vs. New Mexico State (9/10) • notched an assist in 29-23 home victory over Miami (Ohio) (9/17) • garnered two solo tackles, including one tackle-for-loss in loss to North Dakota State (9/24) • tallied one assist in Big Ten opener at Michigan (10/1) • started at nose tackle at Purdue (10/8) • recorded three tackles (one solo, two assists) vs. Nebraska (10/22) • assisted on a tackle and recovered his first career fumble in 22-21 victory over Iowa (10/29) • garnered three total tackles in 31-24 loss at Michigan State (11/5) • recorded an assisted tackle vs. Wisconsin (11/12) • notched three tackles (two solo, one assist) in loss at Northwestern (11/19) • started in 27-7 victory over Illinois (11/26).
2010 • JUNIOR SEASON: Started 11 games at defensive tackle this year • made 28 tackles (15 solo) including 5.5 tackles for a loss in 2010 • also forced one fumble this season • earned third varsity letter.
Game-by-Game: recorded first-career start at defensive tackle against Middle Tennessee State (9/2) • notched five total tackles (three solo, two assists) against the Blue Raiders • tallied one solo stop behind the line of scrimmage against South Dakota (9/11) • made four total tackles (three solo, one assist) against USC (9/18) including two stops behind the line • made two total tackles against Northern Illinois (9/25) • forced a fumble against Northwestern (10/2) while also tallying two tackles (one solo) against the Wildcats • tallied one tackle against Wisconsin (10/9) • made one solo stop against Purdue (10/16) • made two solo stops - both behind the line of scrimmage -- against Penn State (10/23) • made three tackles (two solo) against Ohio State (10/30) • made three tackles against Illinois (11/13) • contributed four tackles (two solo) in Minnesota's win over Iowa (11/27).
2009 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Young defensive lineman become part of the regular defensive line rotation • made the play of the early part of the season when he forced a fumble that was returned 52 yards for the game-winning touchdown against Air Force in the first-ever game at TCF Bank Stadium • saw action in 11 games • recorded 16 tackles with three tackles-for-loss• earned second varsity letter.
Game-by-Game: Appeared in the season opening 23-20 overtime win at Syracuse (9/5), finishing with one solo tackle • finished with three tackles and a forced fumble in a 20-13 win over Air Force (9/12) • forced the fumble that was picked up and returned 52 yards by Nate Triplett for the game-winning score against the Falcons • recorded a season-high five tackles in the 35-21 loss to No. 8 Cal (9/19) • posted a team high two tackles for loss against Cal • appeared in the 31-28 loss to Wisconsin (10/3), but did not record any statistics • in the 35-20 win over Purdue (10/10), made his only tackle for a loss of four yards • in the 20-0 loss at No. 14 Penn State (10/17), tallied two tackles • appeared in the 38-7 loss to No. 18 Ohio State (10/24) and the 42-34 win over Michigan State (10/31), but did not record any statistics • in the 16-13 win over South Dakota State (11/14), finished with two tackles • appeared in the 12-0 loss to Iowa (11/21), but did not record any statistics • recorded two solo tackles in a 14-13 loss to Iowa State at the Insight Bowl (12/31).
2008 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Saw action as a reserve in 11 games • had eight total tackles on the season • earned first letter.
Game-by-Game: made his collegiate debut in the season opener vs. Northern Illinois (8/30), but did not record any statistics • made first career tackle vs. Montana State (9/13) on a 5-yard TFL • saw action as a reserve against Florida Atlantic (9/20) and Ohio State (9/27) but did not crack the stat sheet • came off the bench to register at solo tackle at Illinois (10/11) • credited with a 2-yard tackle for loss at Purdue (10/25) • saw action but did not have any statistics vs. Northwestern (11/1) • registered a pair of solo stops against Michigan (11/8) • played at Wisconsin (11/15) but did not register any statistics • collected a season-high three total tackles vs. Iowa (11/22) • played vs. Kansas (12/31).
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Hazelwood East High School, where he was the top player in the Suburban North League • helped lead the Spartans to an 8-2 record as a senior in 2007 • recorded 69 tackles, five sacks and two fumble recoveries • earned first team Class 5 all-state accolades • named to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro first team and the St. Louis American all-area first team • Ranked second in the St. Louis Metro area in total tackles as a junior in 2006 with 93, including 50 solo stops, while helping lead Hazelwood East to an 8-3 mark • earned first team all-state honors from the Missouri Football Coaches Association • also a first team All-Metro pick by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and a first team All-Suburban North Conference honoree • coached by Corey Johnson.
PERSONAL: Born June 22, 1989 • son of Felicia Kirksey • sociology major.
