A native of Duluth, Minn.,
Shannon Burnell graduated following the 1993 season as North Dakota's
all-time leader in rushing yards (4,710), carries (931), rushing
touchdowns (38) and all-purpose yards (5,393).
A three-time All-North
Central Conference first team selection, Burnell led the NCC in rushing
in each of his final three seasons and became UND's first finalist for
the Harlon Hill Trophy (awarded to the best player in Division II
football) during his junior year of 1992.
Burnell set UND's
single-season rushing record in 1991 with 1,461 yards, and broke his own
standard with 1,589 yards as a senior.
Following his senior year,
Burnell received All-America honors from four different organizations,
including three first-team accolades, after leading the Fighting Sioux
to an NCC championship and a berth in the NCAA semifinal.
He also led
UND to an NCAA postseason appearance in 1992 and was named a third-team
All-American in 1993. Burnell set a school record that still stands when
he ran for more than 100 yards in 15 straight games over the final nine
games of the 1991 season and the first six games of the 1992 season.
Currently, Burnell remains ranked second on UND's career rushing yardage
list (all games) and owns three of the top 10 single-season rushing
yardage totals in Sioux history. In 1994, Burnell was named to UND's
All-Century football team by a vote of Sioux football fans.
