Several Gophers Rake in All-Big Ten Honors

The Big Ten announced its All-Conference football teams on Tuesday, and for the second consecutive year several Gophers were represented on the first team, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Pulling in first team honors from both the coaches and the media were Greg Eslinger, Rian Melander and Laurence Maroney. Maroney replaces Marion Barber as a Gopher first team running back selection.

In a rather curious selection by the coaches, Ukee Dozier was only given honorable mention. This despite his being among the league leders in interceptions and pass breakups. The media was more appreceative to Ukee, giving him a well earned first team selection.

In other selections, Darrell Reid was voted to the second team by the media, and freshman wide receiver sensation Ernie Wheelwright was given honorable mention by the media. Matt Spaeth was voted honorable mention by both the coaches and the media, and after getting first team honors last year, Marion Barber slipped to honorable mention after seeing Maroney emerge. Here is the complete list of where the Gopher players ended up:

Coaches All-Confernece Team:

1st Team

RB – Laurence Maroney (So)
C – Greg Eslinger (Jr)
OT – Rian Melander (Sr)

2nd Team

OG – Mark Setterstrom (Jr)

Honorable Mention

RB – Marion Barber (Jr)
TE – Matt Spaeth (So)
DL – Darrell Reid (Sr)
DB – Ukee Dozier (Sr)

Media All-Conference Team:

1st Team

RB – Laurence Maroney (So)
OL – Greg Eslinger (Jr)
OL – Mark Setterstrom (Jr)
OL – Rian Melander (Sr)
CB – Ukee Dozier (Sr)

2nd Team

DL – Darrell Reid (Sr)

Honorable Mention

RB – Marion Barber (Jr)
TE – Matt Spaeth (So)
WR – Ernie Wheelwright (Fr)

In other highlights, Michigan’s Braylon Edwards and Wisconsin’s Erasmus James won the offensive and defensive player of the year awards, respectively. Michigan’s running back Michael Hart swept the freshman of the year catagory, and Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz was named Big Ten coach of the year.