Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Sports

When senior linebacker Eric Sternberg steps on the turf at Stokes Stadium for the final time Saturday, it will be more than just a bittersweet goodbye. Sternberg will have his eyes glued to Pittsburg State University quarterback John McCoy in hopes of breaking the Bulldog single-season sack record.

"I think it's something he's really worked on," defensive coordinator Ryan Nourse said. "He's developed some pass rush moves and techniques as well. As you see most of his sacks don't come off of some first phenomenal move, it's that he's absolutely relentless."

Sternberg leads the MIAA with 10.5 sacks, just two short of the all-time Truman single season record of 12, set in 1972 by Al Fulton, and matched in 1982 by Elijah Lockhart.

However, the Bulldog defense will be challenged to get to the quarterback this week against a strong Pittsburg State offensive line. The Gorillas have allowed just 14 sacks this season, the third fewest in the MIAA. Coupled with the fact that the Bulldogs haven't beaten Pitt State since 1980, it could be a tough day for Truman.

But if Sternberg is able to break through the line and sack the quarterback a couple times, he might not just end up as the Bulldog single-season sack leader. He might also end up near the top in Div. II for 2009. Sternberg has a legitimate chance to finish No. 2 in the country in sacks. He is ranked fifth in Div. II in sacks, only one sack behind No. 2 Jashawn Williams of American International University.

Despite the outburst this season, Sternberg hasn't always been known as a sack demon at Truman. He recorded 15 sacks in his senior season at Lockport Township high school, but prior to his 10.5 sacks this season, the most sacks Sternberg had in a season at Truman was three in 2005.

"I think I just became more confident in some of the moves I learned," Sternberg said. "Playing for four years, you kind of learn tendencies from different teams and watch more film."

Sternberg's athletic abilities aren't limited to the football field though. In high school Sternberg not only had his eyes on the quarterback, he also stared into the pitcher's eyes from the batter's box. During high school, Sternberg was selected to the all-conference team twice and was the 2005 Chicago Sun- Times state tournament MVP.

Sternberg said he inquired about playing baseball at Truman when he arrived in 2005, but former football head coach Shannon Currier told Sternberg to be with the football team for spring ball and offseason workouts since he most likely would be playing for four years.

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