Four Gophers Selected to All-Big Ten team

The Big Ten announced today that four Minnesota Gophers were selected to the first team All-Big Ten team. All four of the players selected are from the offensive side of the ball; the second consecutive year the offense has achieved this feat. Junior Tight End Matt Spaeth makes his first appearance on the First Team, joining returnees Mark Setterstrom, Laurence Maroney, and third time winner Greg Eslinger. Eslinger also took home an additional honor as the offensive lineman of the year, the first time a Golden Gopher has won this award. Here is the full list, as selected by the coaches and media:

Coaches Selections

1st Team:

1. C – Greg Eslinger (SR)
2. RB – Laurence Maroney (JR)
3. OG – Mark Setterstrom (SR)
4. TE – Matt Spaeth (JR)

2nd Team:

1. DT – Anthony Montgomery (SR)

Honorable Mention:

1. OT – Tony Brinkhaus (SO)
2. DE – Keith Lipka (SR)
3. RB – Gary Russell (SO)

Media Selections

1st Team:

1. C – Greg Eslinger (SR)
2. RB – Laurence Maroney (JR)
3. OG – Mark Setterstrom (SR)
4. TE – Matt Spaeth (JR)

Honorable Mention:

1. CB – Trumaine Banks (JR)
2. OT – Tony Brinkhaus (SO)
3. DE – Steve Davis (FR)
4. DT – Anthony Montgomery (SR)
5. FS – John Pawielski (SR)
6. RB – Gary Russell (FR)

Other key awards: Northwestern QB Brett Basanez and Penn State QB Michael Robinson split the Offensive Player of the Year Award. Ohio State senior LB A.J. Hawk won the Defensive Player of the Year award from both the coaches and the media.

Northwestern RB Tyrell Sutton swept Freshman of the Year honors, and Penn State’s Joe Paterno was the easy choice for Coach of the Year.

Previous article: Several Gophers make 2004 All-Big Ten Team

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