BISHOP LYNCH FOOTBALL

Friars at the College Level

Matt Nordgren
Quarterback
6-5 • 220 • So.-SQ • 7
Dallas, Texas (Bishop Lynch)

A third-year quarterback who served as UT’s No. 3 signal caller as a redshirt freshman in 2002 … combines good size, footwork and an accurate arm … gained valuable experience working behind Chris Simms and Major Applewhite while redshirting in ’01.

Redshirt Freshman (2002)
Served as the team’s third quarterback … did not see any game action … redshirted in 2001.

Personal
Coached by Gary Oliver at Bishop Lynch High … a four-year letterman who earned all-state honors in football and track and was a member of the 2000 all-state basketball tourney team … a three-time all-district (1998-2000) and two-time all-state selection (1998, 2000) at quarterback … completed 110-of-206 passes for 1,418 yards and 19 TDs as a senior … also rushed 37 times for 245 yards and six scores … helped lead team to an 11-2 record and a spot in the TAPPS State Championship game … played in only six games as a junior because of a broken collarbone but still managed to complete 95-of-157 passes for 1,170 yards and 11 TDs … also ran for 212 yards on 21 carries and five scores … connected on 179-of-349 passes for 2,655 yards and 22 TDs as a sophomore … led his team to an 8-4 record and the semifinals of the TAPPS playoffs that year … a two-time all-district basketball player … also threw the shot/discus, high/triple jumped and ran the hurdles in track & field … earned four letters, set the school-record in the shot (53-0) and finished third in the high jump at the 2000 Texas state meet (6-6 1/2).

Personal
Born 9/28/82 in Dallas … full name is Matthew Jason Nordgren … a liberal arts major … father, George, played running back at Houston and with the New Orleans Saints (1966-67) and Dallas Cowboys (1968-72) … uncle, Geoffrey, played tight end at Oklahoma … a four-year member of the AB Honor Roll in high school … active in community service efforts … enjoys playing the guitar, drums and ranching … also enjoys making wood and clay sculptures.

The Nordgren File
Nickname: “Nordco,” “Sunshine”
For pregame, I like to: Go out early, throw the ball and get a feel for the field and weather
My playing style: Creative, yet controlled
Favorite superhero: Superman
Favorite cartoon character: Homer Simpson
Favorite cable channel: ESPN
I never miss: SportsCenter
I can’t believe I watch: Elimidate
Nobody believes I listen to: Rap music
Favorite video games: Halo, Madden NFL 2002, NCAA Football 2002
My most humbling moment: Being a freshman at Texas
A recent movie that gets a thumbs up: Gladiator
Favorite actors: Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks
My sports heroes as a kid: My father and Michael Jordan
Favorite sports movie: Varsity Blues
Nobody knows I can: Play the guitar
First organized sport (age): Soccer (four)
When I run into Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, I feel: If I could describe the feeling, I would be doing it an injustice
I hear the crowd: At the beginning of the game
What I remember as a kid: Reading about Bobby Layne’s accomplishments at UT
Pets: Fish, Dogs