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Spencer was a three-year starter at nose guard and fullback at Bishop Luers High School. He was a two-time All-State pick and three-time All-Area and All-Conference selection. The Indianapolis Star Defensive Lineman of the Year as senior. Spencer recorded 65 tackles, including 24 for loss and seven sacks, with seven fumble recoveries and one interception as a member of the Class 2A state championship team his final season.
He also rushed for more than 600 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 9.1 yards per carry. Spencer had 82 tackles, including 21 for loss and 13 sacks his junior season. He received the team's Mental Attitude Award as sophomore. He closed out his career as the school's recordholder with 73 tackles for loss and 27 sacks. He also lettered on the school's basketball team. Spencer enrolled at Purdue in 2002, spending the season on the scout team. He saw limited action on defense in 2003, appearing in ten games. But, he managed six tackles (3 solos) and assisted on one stop behind the line of scrimmage.
In 2004, Spencer played in twelve games, starting the first eleven contests at weak-side defensive end. He registered 33 tackles (18 solos) and finished third on the squad with 7.5 sacks and 9.5 stops for losses. He also batted away six passes and caused three fumbles, earning All- Big Ten Conference honorable mention.
Spencer started all eleven games in 2005, registering 23 tackles (16 solos), three sacks, and 7.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused three fumbles and recovered another while also deflecting one pass.
Spencer had a banner senior campaign. The Ted Hendricks Award (nation's top defensive end) finalist ranked second in the nation with 26.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage, the fifth-best season total in Big Ten Conference history. He finished second on the team with 93 tackles (69 solos) and led the squad with 10.5 sacks. He also caused five fumbles and recovered another while batting away six passes and blocking one kick. In 47 games at Purdue, Spencer started 36 contests. He registered 155 tackles (106 solos) with two fumble recoveries, thirteen pass deflections and a blocked kick. He ranks fifth in school history with 21 sacks for minus 147 yards and finished seventh on the Purdue career-record chart with 44 stops for losses totaling 241 yards. His eleven forced fumbles rank second in school annals.
CAREER NOTES
Spencer's 93 tackles in 2006 were the most ever by a defensive end during the Joe Tiller era (1997-present), topping the previous high of 71 by Rosevelt Colvin in 1997...His 15 tackles vs. Notre Dame in 2006 were the most by a defensive end in a game under Tiller's reign, surpassing the old mark of 14 by Shaun Phillips vs. Wake Forest in 2002...Spencer's 26.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage in 2006 rank second on the school's season-record list behind Jeff Zgonina (28 in 1992) and rank fifth on the Big Ten Conference annual record chart, topped only by Zgonina, Tom Burke of Wisconsin (31 in 1998), Julian Peterson of Michigan State (30 in 1999) and Courtney Brown of Penn State (29 in 1999)...Spencer's 44 stops for losses rank seventh on Purdue's career-record list, surpassed by Jeff Zgonina (72, 1989-92), Rosevelt Colvin (61, 1995- 98), Shaun Phillips (60.5, 2000-03), Keena Turner (58, 1976-79), Akin Ayodele (54, 1999-01) and Matt Mitrione (50, 1998-2001)...His 10.5 sacks in 2006 rank seventh on the school's seasonrecord list behind Rosevelt Colvin (15 in 1998 and 12.5 in 1997), Shaun Phillips (14.5 in 2003), Jeff Zgonina (13 in 1992), Jim Schwantz (11 in 1989) and Akin Ayodele (11 in 1999)...His 21 career sacks rank fifth all-time in school annals, topped only by Shaun Phillips (33.5, 2000-03), Rosevelt Colvin (33, 1995-98), Jeff Zgonina (29, 1989-92) and Akin Ayodele (29, 1999- 2001)...His eleven forced fumbles are one shy of the Purdue career-record of twelve by James Looney (1977-80).
2006 SEASON
All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, adding second-team honors from Rivals.com and the Walter Camp Football Foundation, third-team recognition from the Associated Press and honorable mention from Pro Football Weekly...Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award finalist...Lott Trophy quarterfinalist (Defensive Impact Player of the Year) ...Earned first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors from the league's coaches and media...Named Big Ten Player of the Week in back-to-back games vs. Notre Dame and Minnesota...Served as defensive team co-captain...Started all year at strong-side defensive end, ranking second on the team with a career-high 93 tackles (69 solos)... Led the team with 10.5 sacks for minus 70 yards...Ranked second in the nation and led the conference with 26.5 stops for losses totaling 110 yards...Added five pressures and blocked one kick...Deflected six passes, recovered one fumble and caused five others.
2006 GAME ANALYSIS
Indiana State...Opened the season with seven tackles (5 solos), a 10-yard sack, three stops for minus 21 yards and a pass deflection...Stopped Tony West for a 4-yard loss on a late first quarter run, taking West down again for minus 7 yards on a third-&-8 play in the fourth quarter...Also sacked QB Reilly Murphy for a 10-yard loss in the final frame...Head to Head Competition- OT#69-Cory Blunk.
Miami (Oh)...Blocked a potential game-winning 39-yard field goal on the final play of the regulation, in a game that Purdue pulled out a 38-31 decision in overtime...Posted eight tackles (6 solos) with an 8-yard sack and two stops for minus 10 yards...Sacked QB Mike Kokal for a 10- yard loss late in the third quarter..."We've been preaching positive attitude all season, and I just kept a positive attitude going into that situation," Spencer said..."Anthony Spencer took the game over at the end. On fourth down, he was puking in the huddle, and he went back out and got after the quarterback again. That's what great players do." Purdue defensive coordinator Brock Spack said, when bragging about his defensive end to the West Lafayette (Ind.) Journal-
Courier...Spencer closed out the day with three third-down tackles, one more on fourth down, three hits on goal-line plays and two other tackles that stopped ball carriers for no gain...Head to Head Competition-OT#76-Charlie Norden.
Ball State...Registered three solo tackles, causing a fumble when he stripped the ball from Larry Bostic on a 4-yard catch at the BSU 14, as Purdue recovered the pigskin to set up a 7-yard scoring pass from Curtis Painter to Kory Sheets early in the fourth quarter...Killed Ball State's last-ditch scoring drive when he sacked QB Nate Davis for a 7-yard loss on a third-&-8 play with 1:51 remaining in the game...Head to Head Competition-OT#79-Andre Ramsey.
Minnesota...Named Big Ten Player of the Week after collecting a then career-high ten tackles (9 solos) with two sacks for minus 10 yards, three stops behind the line of scrimmage, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in a 27-21 triumph...Stopped Alex Daniels for no gain on a first-&- goal run during the game's opening drive...Sacked QB Bryan Cupito for a 4-yard loss on a third- &-6 play, causing a fumble that Spencer recovered to set up a Purdue 36-yard field goal in the third quarter...Chased down Amir Pinnix after the tailback picked up 22 yards on a reception and on the next play, he sacked Cupito for a 6-yard loss midway through the fourth quarter...Made three third-down tackles and had four of his stops on goal-line plays...Head to Head Competition- OT#64-Steve Shidell.
Notre Dame...Despite playing with a knee injury, Spencer produced a career-high 15 tackles (7 solos), deflected a pass and registered 4.5 stops for losses of 20 yards...On back-to-back plays five minutes into the game, he stopped tailback Darius Walker behind the line of scrimmage on a pair of runs for minus 3 yards each...Sacked QB Brady Quinn for a 7-yard loss with 0:50 left in the first half and joined Alex Magee in sacking Quinn for minus 10 yards on a third-&-7 play in the third quarter...Finished the day with three third-down tackles...Head to Head Competition-OT#68- Ryan Harris.
Iowa...Was not expected to play due to his knee injury the previous week, but started and came up with seven tackles, including one that stopped Damian Sims for a 2-yard loss, causing a fumble that Purdue's Brandon Erwin recovered at the Iowa 34 late in the third quarter...Head to Head Competition-OT#78-Dace Richardson.
Northwestern...Totaled nine tackles (7 solos) with a 9-yard sack and 2.5 stops for minus 11 yards...Killed a late second quarter drive when he tackled Andrew Brewer for no gain on a third- &-6 run, forcing the Wildcats to punt with 1:13 left in the first half...Sacked Brewer for a 9-yard loss on a third-&-5 play at the start of the second half, again forcing the opponent to punt...Finished the day with three third-down stops and took down ball carriers for no gain on three carries...Head to Head Competition-OT#76-Desmond Taylor.
Penn State...After missing practice all week due to his foot injury, Spencer was forced to leave the game several times due to leg cramps, but still led the team with nine tackles (7 solos), as he also had 2.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and a pass break-up...Four of Spencer's tackles came on third-down plays...Head to Head Competition-OT#67-Levi Brown.
Michigan State...Followed with five tackles (4 solos) with a 3-yard sack, four stops for minus 13 yards and a pass deflection, but like in the Penn State game, leg cramps would force the defensive end to the sidelines during the game...Sacked QB Drew Stanton for a 3-yard loss on third-&-12 during MSU's game-opening drive, forcing the Spartans to punt...Twice took down tailback Javon Ringer behind the line of scrimmage, including one for a 7-yard loss with 4:40 left to play...Head to Head Competition-OT#75-Pete Clifford.
Illinois... Registered six tackles (3 solos) and two stops for losses...He sacked QB Isiah Williams for a 6-yard loss on a third-&-6 play early in the second quarter, causing a fumble that Purdue's Alex Magee recovered in the end zone for a touchdown...Head to Head Competition-OT#69- Akim Mellington.
Indiana...Tallied three solo tackles...Head to Head Competition-OT#78-Kyle Thomas. Hawaii...Produced one solo tackle and caused a fumble, deflected a pass and pressured QB Colt Brennan twice...Head to Head Competition-OT#70-Tala Esera.
Maryland (Champs Sports Bowl)...Closed out his career with seven tackles (5 solos), including one on fourth-down, one on a goal-line play and two that took down ball carriers for no gain...Head to Head Competition-OT#70-Stephon Heyer.
2005 SEASON
Started all eleven games at strong-side defensive end...Recorded 23 tackles (16 solos) and added three sacks for minus 22 yards and 7.5 stops for losses totaling 36 yards...Caused three fumbles and recovered another...Also deflected one pass.
2005 GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Akron...Caused a fumble when he sacked QB Luke Getsy and had one solo tackle in the season opener.
Ariziona...Added a 7-yard sack of QB Richard Kovalcheck and two solo tackles. Notre Dame...Tackled tailback Darius Walker for a 5-yard loss. Wisconsin...Posted three tackles, including one that dropped tailback Brian Calhoun for a 2-yard loss.
Penn State...Recovered a fumble and made three tackles (2 solos). Illinois...Caused two fumbles, including one on a 15-yard sack of QB Tim Brasic and was in on four tackles (3 solos) and a pair of stops for minus 20 yards.
2004 SEASON
Named to Ted Hendricks Defensive Player of the Year Award watch list...Earned All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention from the league's coaches and media...Started the team's first eleven games at strong-side defensive end, giving way to Rob Ninkovich, who started the Sun Bowl...Tied for the conference lead with three forced fumbles, as he made 33 tackles (18 solos) with 7.5 sacks for minus 55 yards and 9.5 stops for losses of 50 yards...Also deflected six passes.
2004 GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Recorded five tackles (2 solos), including two for loss, a sack, a pass break-up and a forced fumble vs. Illinois...Added a pair of sacks, a pass deflection and a forced fumble vs. Notre Dame...Forced fumble vs. Iowa...Registered five tackles (3 solos), including two behind the line of scrimmage and a sack vs. Ohio State...Posted two pass deflections vs. Arizona State in the Sun Bowl.
2003 SEASON
Appeared in ten games as reserve defensive end, but saw most of his action on special teams...Finished with six tackles (3 solos)...Played in just one of first four games while recovering from a foot injury that was suffered in spring camp...Assisted on a tackle behind the line of scrimmage vs. Wisconsin and had a season-high two tackles vs. Northwestern.
2002 SEASON
Redshirted as a freshman.
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
4.63 in the 40-yard dash...500-pound bench press...32 5/8-inch arm length...9 5/8-inch hands...Right-handed.
COMBINE AGILITY TESTS
4.73 in the 40-yard dash...1.68 10-yard dash...2.78 20-yard dash...4.43 20-yard shuttle... 7.14 three-cone drill...32.5-inch vertical jump...9'4? broad jump...Bench pressed 225 pounds 30 times.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Bishop Luers (Fort Wayne, Ind.) High School, playing football for head coach Matt Lindsay...Three-year starter at nose guard and fullback...Two-time All-State pick and three-time All-Area and All-Conference selection...The Indianapolis Star Defensive Lineman of the Year as senior...Recorded 65 tackles, including 24 for loss and seven sacks, with seven fumble recoveries and one interception as a member of the Class 2A state championship team his final season...Rushed for more than 600 yards and 13 touch-downs while averaging 9.1 yards per carry...Recorded 82 tackles, including 21 for loss and 13 sacks his junior season...Received the team's Mental Attitude Award as sophomore... Closed out his career as the school's recordholder with 73 tackles for loss and 27 sacks... Also lettered on the school's basketball team.
PERSONAL
African-American Studies major, with a minor in Law Society...Born Anthony E. Spencer II on 1/23/84...Resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana. |
