? Drafted in 1st Round by the <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Dallas Cowboys (12th Overall)<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>
? 1986 First-Team All-American (AP, UPI, FWAA, Kodak, Walter Camp, Football News)
? 1986 Big 8 Athlete-of-the-Year
? 1986 First-Team All-Big 8 (AP, UPI)
? 1986 Big 8 Player-of-the-Week ( FloridaState)
? 1986 Optimist Award Winner
? 1985 Second-Team All-Big 8 (AP, UPI)
1986 (Senior)
Noonan labored in the shadow of a pair of All-Americans last year, Husker defensive tackle Jim Skow and Oklahoma’s Tony Casillas, but both Skow and Casillas. Going into the season Noonan was labeled as one of the nation’s premier defensive lineman. Said Nebraska defensive coordinator and line coach Charlie McBride: “He (Noonan) has a chance to be an All-American; he’s that good of a player. Noonan may be the best nose guard in the country... I thought he was as good a nose guard as there was in our conference last season, and that’s including the Oklahoma guy (Casillas).” Noonan backed up those statements as he was earned First-Team All-America honors from the Associated Press, United Press International, FWAA, Kodak, Walter Camp and Football News. Noonan also earned Big 8 Athlete-of-the-Year and First-Team All-Big 8 from the Associated Press and the United Press International. Noonan finished the year leading the Huskers in both sacks and tackles for loss. Noonan racked up 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage for 62 yards lost, and of those 12 tackles seven were sacks for 38 yards lost. Of Noonan’s 53 total tackles (forth on the team) 31 were unassisted stops, good enough for sixth on the team. In Noonan’s three seasons he average eight sacks a year with an average of 6.5 yards lost per sack.
1985 (Junior)
As a junior Noonan was the second-leading tackler on the defensive line (behind Jim Skow) with 47, 33 of those unassisted. He was second to Skow on the team in tackles for loss (14 for 78 yards), and in quarterback sacks (11 for 69). Had a standout performance in the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl against Michigan, recording nine tackles, including a sack of Wolverine quarterback Jim Harbaugh. The equaled his career high of nine tackles vs. Oklahoma in 1985. Top game for quarterback sacks was three for 22 yards in losses against Illinois’ Jack Trudeau. Second-team All-Big 8 pick (behind Tony Casillas of Oklahoma) be both wire services.
1984 (Sophomore)
Lettered as a sophomore behind Spachman in 1984, recording 26 tackles (17 unassisted), including six sacks for 49 yards in losses, plus one other tackle behind the line for a 2-yard loss.
1983 (Freshman)
A non-redshirt, Noonan was a standout defensive tackle on the 5-0 Husker freshman team in 1983, recording 20 tackles (10 unassisted), including three quarterback sacks for 21 yards in losses; also recovered two fumbles and broke up a pass.
Before Nebraska (Lincoln Northeast)
All-state selection at Lincoln Northeast, where he played offensive and defensive tackle and nose guard in leading Coach Bob Els’ Rockets to the 1982 state championship game. Honorable mention prep All-America selection.
Personal
Criminal justice major. Son of Gene and Donna Noonan, he has one younger brother. Born July 14, 1965, in Lincoln.
Tackles
.
.
Fum.
.
.
.
Year
UT
AT
TT
TFL
Sacks
R
BK
PBU
PI
1984
17
9
26
7-51
6-49
0
0
0
0
1985
33
14
47
14-78
11-69
1
0
0
0
1986
31
22
53
12-62
7-38
0
0
0
0
Totals
81
45
126
33-191
24-156
1
0
0
0
Bowl Statistics
1985 Sugar Bowl vs. LSU: Tackles 2 UT, 1 AT, 3 TT
1986 Fiesta Bowl vs. Michigan: Tackles 3 UT, 6 AT, 9 TT, TFL 1-1
1987 Sugar Bowl vs. LSU: Tackles 2 UT, 2 TT, TFL 2-13, Sacks 1-9