Professional Career: Etu is back for his third year with the Rush after signing a contract extension through the 2007 season on May 18, 2005 ... was originally signed to a three-year contract as a free agent October 28, 2003.

·   tied with Antonio Chatman for first place in team history with 197 career receptions and 62 career touchdowns ... ranks second to Chatman in career receiving yards and career receiving scores.

·   has been named Offensive Player of the Game four times (March 6, 2005 vs. Nashville, April 17, 2005, vs. Colorado, April 4, 2004, at Las Vegas and April 11, 2004, vs. Tampa Bay) and AFL Offensive Player of the Week once (2005 — Week 12).

·   named U.S. Army Ironman of the Game four times during the regular season (March 6, 2005 vs. Nashville, March 13, 2005 @ Grand Rapids, April 17, 2005 vs. Colorado and May 23, 2004 vs. Indiana) and once in the playoffs (May 29, 2005 @ Los Angeles) and the AFL’s U.S. Army Ironman of the Week  once (2004 — Week 16).

·   named ADT Defensive Player of the Game April 10, 2005 vs. San Jose.

·   named the AFL’s Rookie of the Month for April 2004.

 

2005 SEASON: Etu was voted to the AFL’s all-Ironman team in addition to winning team MVP and Ironman of the Year honors.

·   led the Rush in receiving, catching 96 passes for 1,158 yards and 25 touchdowns ... recorded career highs on defense with 28.0 tackles and 3 interceptions.

·   also scored 4 rushing touchdowns and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

·   finished the year ranked 13th in the AFL in scoring (180 points) and 16th in both receptions and receiving yards.

·   caught 10 passes for 124 yards and a score in AFL semifinals June 5 at Colorado.

·   named U.S. Army Ironman of the Game for his performance in the team’s May 29 playoff win at Los Angeles ... caught 8 passes for 82 yards and recorded 3.5 tackles.

·   missed the team’s May 1 game vs. Las Vegas with a high hamstring strain.

·   named Offensive Player of the Game and AFL Offensive Player of the Week after scoring a Rush record six touchdowns (5 receiving, 1 return) April 17 vs. Colorado.

·   was named Offensive Player of the Game and U.S. Army Ironman of the Game March 6 vs. Nashville after recording 6 catches for 60 yards and recording a career-high 4.0 tackles and an interception.

·   opened the season January 30 at Dallas with 5 receptions for 42 yards and 5 touchdowns (3 receiving, 2 rushing) ...also added 3.0 tackles.

 

2004: Was named Chicago’s Rookie of the Year and was a finalist for AFL Rookie of the Year honors after a season in which he led the Rush in all receiving categories as well as scoring (198 points) ...caught 101 passes for 1,280 yards and scored 32 touchdowns (23 receiving, 6 rushing, 2 return and 1 net recovery) ...also excelled on defense, recording 25.5 tackles and 2 interceptions.

·   finished 8th in the league in scoring, receptions, receiving yards and yards from scrimmage (1,302).

·   scored 3 touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 receiving) in June 12 semifinal game at San Jose, adding 3 receptions and 3.0 tackles in the game.

·   had 5 receptions for 77 yards and 2 scores in June 6 quarterfinal playoff win vs. Orlando.

·   was named U.S. Army Ironman of the Game and Ironman of the Week for his 4 touchdown performance May 23 vs. Indiana.

·   was the AFL’s Rookie of the Month for April, catching 37 passes for 492 yards and 8 touchdowns in 4 games ... made at least 8 catches in each game, including three 100-yard receiving games.

·   named Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game April 4 at Las Vegas ... had 8 catches for 132 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a game-winning “Hail Mary” catch off the net as time expired.

·   scored 2 touchdowns and returned a blocked extra point for a two-point conversion March 28 vs. Detroit.

·   scored 4 times (3 receiving and 1 kick return) February 29 at Indiana ... also caught a pass for a two-point conversion.

·   made his AFL debut February 8 vs. Grand Rapids, catching 1 pass, making 1.0 tackle and returning 1 kick for 29 yards.

 

COLLEGE CAREER: Etu earned second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press after his senior season ... spent four seasons at the University of Montana (1998-2001).

·   finished his career with 161 catches for 2,300 yards and 26 touchdowns in 44 regular-season games ... added 51 receptions for 620 yards and 4 touchdowns in the Division I-AA playoffs.

·   was a first-team all-Big Sky Conference selection after catching a team-high 102 passes for 1,414 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final collegiate season (including postseason) ... started all 16 games for Montana — the Division I-AA national champions.

ü       was named the co-winner of the team’s outstanding offensive player award after recording 6 games with over 100 receiving yards.

ü       grabbed 5 passes (3 for touchdowns) for 151 yards October 13 vs. St. Mary’s.

ü       caught 8 passes for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns December 8 against Sam Houston State University in the playoffs.

ü       caught 10 passes for 74 yards in Montana’s 13-6 victory over Furman December 21 for the national championship.

·   as a junior, he earned second-team all-conference honors after catching a team-high 56 passes for 699 yards and 6 touchdowns during the regular season ... also earned second-team all-America honors from The Football Gazette.

·   played his first season as a wide receiver in 1999, catching 29 passes for 456 yards and 6 scores ... spent his redshirt freshman season at safety and made 19 tackles.

 

Personal: Etu Baraka Molden (AH-too) was born January 18, 1979, in Sacramento, CA ... Etu is single and lives in Chicago during the off-season ... children:  Devin.

·   is a 1997 graduate of Jesuit High School in Carmichael, CA, where he participated in football, basketball, baseball and track.

·   attended the University of Montana, majoring in art.