CAREER: Heads into 2015 as a two-year starter at linebacker, having played 27 career games but a starter in 23 consecutive games...has accumulated 156 career tackles, including 86 solo stops...has 43 solo stops in each of his past two seasons (2013, 2014)...has recorded 14 TFLs for -37 yards in losses...owns three career sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions (both in 2014), fumble recovery and four pass breakups...recorded career best 15 tackles vs. SMSU on Oct. 5, 2013...has recorded double digit totals in tackles five times...has had seven or more tackles 11 times...also had six or more tackles 13 times (6, 2013; 7, 2014)...two-time Academic All-NSIC selection.
2014 (JUNIOR): recorded a team-high 79 tackles, including 43 solo stops (fourth on USF), in starting all 12 games as Cougars went 11-1 and earned first postseason win in the DII era with 42-10 win over Central Oklahoma in Mineral Water Bowl...finished with eight TFLs, three sacks, forced fumble, two interceptions and a pass breakup during 2014...his 79 tackles ranked 28th in the NSIC...had 11 tackles, including seven solo stops, TFL and sack (-12 yards) in win over Central Oklahoma (12/6)...also recorded a season-best 12 tackles, including five solo stops, against #1 MInnesota State (11/1)...also had a forced fumble, sack (-7 yards), two TFLs and an interception against Minnesota State, Mankato...also recorded 11 tackles, including season-best nine solo stops and a TFL, vs. SMSU (10/18)...had 10 tackles, four solo stops, had a career-best 2.5 TFls in 73-21 win over MSU, Moorhead...in total had four double digit tackles games and had seven or more stops seven times...had nine stops, including three solo tackles, in third straight Key to the City win (23-12) over Augustana at Kirkeby Over Stadium...had seven tackles, including four solo stops vs. St. Cloud State...also had seven tackles, including six solos, along with an interception in win over Winona State.
2013 (SOPHOMORE): Started all 11 games primarily at Mike linebacker and collected 77 tackles, including 43 solo stops to rank second on the team…had 6.0 tackles for loss and a pair of deflected passes and pass breakups…also recovered his second career fumble…had eight tackles, including one TFL at UMD…racked up 14 stops with two TFL for two yards against Northern State…also against NSU had a career-best 12 solo stops...had six tackles and a pair of pass breakups versus U-Mary…credited with a pair of tackles in the Cougars’ rout of Crookston…registered a career-best 15 tackles, 7 of the solo variety, in the win against SMSU…had six tackles and a quarterback hurry versus Winona State…finished with three tackles and one TFL in the win at Concordia-St. Paul…credited with six tackles, one for a loss, and a quarterback hurry versus Augustana…had a career-high 10 assisted stops in the loss at Upper Iowa…had four tackles against the No. 1 Mavericks…collected three tackles in the win over Wayne State...NSIC All-Academic honoree.
2012 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN): Saw action in four games...logged time as a reserve LB and on special teams...recovered a key fumble vs. Wayne State (11/10).
2011 (FRESHMAN): Redshirted.
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Flandreau... averaged 6.7 yards per carry during his career with 3,380 yards and 32 touchdowns...had 315 total tackles with three sacks and two interceptions...coached by Chad Stadem...Senior: helped Flandreau to a 11B State Championship and 13-1 record by averaging 7.4 yards per carry, totaling 1,442 rush yards with 16 touchdowns...took 11 receptions for 170 yards and another score...made 104 tackles with two interceptions and a sack...high school All-American...First Team All-State and All-Big East Conference selection...selected to the Argus Leader Elite 45 team...S.D. Sports Writers "Joe Robbie" Most Valuable Player...S.D. Coaches Association Award-Outstanding Back...took five carries for 82 yards and two touchdowns and returned a interception for a touchdown against Sioux Falls Christian...named the Brookings Register Player of the Year...Junior: Second Team All-State selection...All Big East Conference pick...rushed for 714 yards and five scores with two more touchdowns receiving....letter winner in track and basketball.
PERSONAL: Son of Dave and Deb Ahlers... born June 25, 1992 in Brookings, S.D....business administration major.
