CAREER: Has started 34 straight games...racked up 178 career tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 46 passes defended along with nine interceptions in his stellar career...two-time Academic All-NSIC...nominee for Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team in 2015.
2014 (JUNIOR): Started all 12 games at cornerback...first team All-NSIC pick…named to the Don Hansen Football All-Super Region 3 Team (third team)…named CoSIDA Academic All District 12 Team and selected Academic All-NCC...was fourth on the team with 60 tackles a year ago with 15 pass breakups (tied for eighth nationally) and 19 passes defended, which ranked 16th in NCAA DII and second in the NSIC. He also had both a fumble recovery and forced fumble. Tidwell was one of the league’s most dangerous punt return specialists (4th, NSIC) with a 14.8 per return average and two TDs (tied for second most in DII), one in each of the final two games of the season. He also ranked fifth in the NSIC in kick returns at 24.8 per return...recorded five or more tackles eight times...tied career-high with season-best eight stops in win over Concordia, St. Paul (11/4)...against CSP had a career-best seven solo tackles, forced fumble and pass break-up...had six tacles, three solo stops, interception and two pass breakups against MSU-Moorhead (9/27)...had five tackles and two pass breakups in "Key to City" win (23-12) over Augustana...had seven tackles, five solo, TFL, fumbl recovery and interception against SMSU (10/18)...registered five tackles (all solos) with two pass breakups in home win over Upper Iowa (11/8)...also had five tackles, including four solos, quaterback hurry and two pass breakups in home win over Wayne State...also against WSC had a 78-yard punt return for a TD midway through first quarter...accumulated three punt returns for 85 yards and a TD...also had a TD punt return in the 42-10 Mineral Water Bowl victory over Central Oklahoma...against OCU had four punt returns for 77 yards, including a 55-yard punt return TD; seven tackles (six solo); two interceptions for 40 yards and two pass breakups to earn Mineral Water Bowl Defensive MVP honors.
2013 (SOPHOMORE): Started every game for the second straight season…recorded four tackles and deflected a pass at UMD…credited with five solo stops, recorded his first interception of the season and blocked a critical extra point attempt in the Cougars’ 45-37 win versus Northern State…collected six tackles, including a three-yard loss, picked off a pass and broke up a pair of passes in the loss at U-Mary…had two tackles against Minnesota Crookston…tallied five stops and forced a fumble at Southwest Minnesota State…posted seven tackles against Winona State…also had seven stops to go with a pass breakup at Concordia-St. Paul…saved one of his best performances for the Mayor’s Cup showdown with Augustana, where he collected five tackles, deflected three passes and recovered a fumble in the Cougars’ second straight win over the rival Vikings…tallied five stops at Upper Iowa…posted seven tackles against No. 1 Minnesota State…finished the year with three stops (two solo) and a pass breakup at Wayne State...named Academic All-NSIC.
2012 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN): Started all 11 games on the corner...proved to be effective cover and run stopping CB...also dangerous return man...ranked seventh in the NSIC with 13 passes defended and 20th out of all DB in tackles (62)...second on the squad with three interceptions...averaged 32 yards per punt return and 60 each kick return...had 69-yard KO return vs. MSU Moorhead (9/8)...led USF with 10 stops, nine solo, at Winona State (10/5)...credited with four tackles and career-high two interceptions against Concordia-St. Paul (10/13)...recorded eight tackles and two PB, while racking up 153 all-purpose yards which included a game-changing 77-yard (tied Talbot for longest play of season) KO return TD in a season-ending win vs. Wayne State (11/10)...finished with 351 all-purpose yards.
2011 (FRESHMAN): Redshirted.
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Rangeview...helped lead the Raiders to an 11-2 record as a senior...had 37 receptions for 517 yards with 11 touchdowns and added seven rushes for 123 yards with one score...returned seven punts for 200 yards and seven kickoffs for 260 yards...tallied 37 tackles and 8 interceptions for 230 yards with four touchdowns…selected first team All-Colorado...first team all-conference as a defensive back and on special teams...first team all-city defensive back...three-year letter winner in baseball and one-year letter winner in basketball...four-year honor roll student with a 4.0 grade point average.
PERSONAL: Public Accountancy/Business Administration double major. Finance minor...3.72 GPA...ative in community service, including volunteering at the Banquet to help feed the needy...frequent volunteer to ready to elementary school students...helped raise funds to feed needy in Haiti...helped low income individuals prepare taxes as part of VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)...participated in the Susan G. Komen Cancer Walk...named USF Vucurevich School of Business "Accounting Student of the Year" and was recipient of the Purple Feather Award for showcasing attributes of character, scholarship, leadership and service...also received honor of "Celebrating Academic Achievement in Business...son of John and Rita Tidwell...has a sister, Niesha.
