When Ty Boyle walked off the football field for the last time as a Bronco in 2005, the two-way juggernaut, who was later named to the Associated Press All-State second team, knew his football career wasn’t finished.
That’s not the case anymore. Boyle will play in today’s FCS Senior Scout Bowl in Hillburn, N.Y., just 21 days after his senior season at the University of North Dakota concluded with a 21-0 loss at South Dakota State. Today’s game begins at 1 p.m. in New York, and will be broadcast on Fox College Sports Television (DirectTV channel 617) and on cable systems at Fox College Sports Network.
Boyle, a two-year starter, finished his final season at UND with a career-high 38 tackles (16 solo, 3 1/2 for loss), two hurries, two breakups, a sack, a blocked kick and an interception. He was also named on two Great West All-Conference second teams.
Through Facebook, the 6-foot-4, 286-pound defensive tackle answered questions for The Journal about his future.
The Journal: Will today’s FCS Senior Scout Bowl be the last football game you play in?
Ty Boyle: Right now I kind of feel like I am playing on extra time. I hope that this is not the last football game that I play in and I will have an opportunity to continue playing football.
TJ: What was going through your mind walking off the field following a 21-0 loss to South Dakota State in your last game?
TB: Walking off the field was very emotional I think for all the seniors. It was tough first because we just got done playing a tough game that didn’t go that well, even though I feel like many of us, especially on the defensive side of the ball, were proud of our efforts. Before walking off the field the seniors met around the 50-yard line and we just told each other how thankful we were for the time we had together and the friendships we had made. We weren’t going off the field the way that we wanted to, but I was able to leave proud of the effort that I had put in.
TJ: Do you have any regrets attending UND? Do you think you could’ve played as much as you did or been as successful as you were at a bigger Division I school?
TB: I think it’s natural for any athlete to wonder what could have been if they went somewhere else, and I do feel because of hard work I could have been successful at larger schools. With that said, I would not trade the time I had at UND for anything. I made connections and friendships that I will have for the rest of my life, and was part of a great football program filled with pride and tradition, and I am now a part of that.
TJ: How was it playing under fellow FHS grad Mike Mannausau (Class of ’94)?
TB: It was truly an honor playing under Coach Mannausau. You can feel the passion that he has for not only the game of football but more importantly the school and program. He was not only the defensive coordinator but my position coach the last three years, so I feel we were able to develop a strong relationship. I can’t imagine playing under another position coach through college, and I’m glad that I had the privilege of playing under him.
TJ: What’s your greatest memory playing football for the Fighting Sioux?
TB: I had a lot of great memories playing for the Sioux and many of them have nothing to do with on the field things, but instead the times with the guys on the road or during the offseason. On the field I have had a lot of memories, but the games I will always remember were my first game — I made a large impact my sophomore year at Idaho State where I received player of the game, beating Cal Poly, ranked No. 16 in the country at home as a large underdog, and the Montana game this year.
TJ: If you had to choose the next nickname for UND, what would you nominate?
TB: I don’t think there has been enough time yet to let things heal at UND around the nickname issue, so I feel that the school should not rush to find a new nickname but instead just be referred to as the University of North Dakota.
TJ: Finally, what’s next for Ty Boyle?
TB: I’m not to sure yet what is next in my life. Next week I will be finishing finals and will be moving out to Pittsburgh for the near future, finishing my thesis so i can receive my Masters in Applied Economics from UND in the spring. I hope to continue working for an opportunity to play at the next level but also am working to figure out what is next after football and school. I will be taking the LSAT in February and I am thinking about attending law schools but haven’t made any concrete decisions yet.
