Four Huskers named All-Big Ten First Team
By Editorial Staff
In a year that has featured a Big Ten record for number of teams with 10 or more wins, it can be hard to stand out. Four Huskers players emerged as stars and were named to the All-Big Ten First Team, taking up five slots.
Junior kicker/punter Brett Maher earned All-Big Ten First Team honors as both a kicker and a punter. Maher is 19 of 22 kicking on the year, with six kicks of 50 yards or more and a perfect 42 for 42 on extra points. Punting, Maher has booted 54 punts with an average of 45 yards per punt. Maher was also named the award winner for best punter – Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year – and the best kicker – Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year – in the Big Ten.
Linebacker Lavonte David, one of six Butkus Award finalists, earned All-Big Ten First Team honors as well. David leads the Huskers with 122 tackles this season. He also took home the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year award, which recognizes the Big Ten’s best linebacker.
Cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, who missed the first three games of the year due to a leg injury, earned All-Big Ten First Team honors, a year after bringing home All-Big 12 Second Team honors in 2010. Dennard was an integral part of Nebraska’s defense, holding teams under 50 percent on completions and registering 6 pass breakups on the season.
Running back Rex Burkhead, who was also named All-Big Ten First Team, is third in the Big Ten with 261 carries for 1268 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Two Nebraska offensive linemen earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors. Center Mike Caputo, who was a Rimington Award watch-lister to begin the season, and guard Spencer Long, who was a surprise starter at the beginning of the season, were announced as Nebraska’s All-Big Team Second Team selections. Long was an All-Big Ten Second Team selection by the media, while Caputo, Burkhead, Dennard, David and Maher were all coaches selections.
BIG TEN AWARD WINNERS
Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year: Russell Wilson, Wisconsin
Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year: Marvin McNutt, Iowa
Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year: Montee Ball, Wisconsin
Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year: Drake Dunsmore, Northwestern
Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year: David Molk, Michigan
Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year: Devon Still, Penn State
Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year: Lavonte David, Nebraska
Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year: Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year: Brett Maher, Nebraska
Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year: Brett Maher, Nebraska
2011 All-Big Ten (Coaches)
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback Russell Wilson, Wisconsin
Running Back Rex Burkhead, Nebraska
Running Back Montee Ball, Wisconsin
Receiver A.J. Jenkins, Illinois
Receiver Marvin McNutt, Iowa
Center David Molk, Michigan
Guard Joel Foreman, Michigan State
Guard Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin
Tackle Riley Reiff, Iowa
Tackle Josh Oglesby, Wisconsin
Tight End Drake Dunsmore, Northwestern
Kicker Brett Maher, Nebraska
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Line Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
Line Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
Line John Simon, Ohio State
Line Devon Still, Penn State
Linebacker Lavonte David, Nebraska
Linebacker Gerald Hodges, Penn State
Linebacker Chris Borland, Wisconsin
Defensive Back Shaun Prater, Iowa
Defensive Back Johnny Adams, Michigan State
Defensive Back Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
Defensive Back Aaron Henry, Wisconsin
Punter Brett Maher, Nebraska
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback Kirk Cousins, Michigan State
Running Back Marcus Coker, Iowa
Running Back Silas Redd, Penn State
Receiver B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State
Receiver Nick Toon, Wisconsin
Center Mike Caputo, Nebraska
Guard Adam Gettis, Iowa
Guard Travis Frederick, Wisconsin
Tackle Taylor Lewan, Michigan
Tackle Mike Adams, Ohio State
Tight End Brian Linthicum, Michigan State
Kicker Carson Wiggs, Purdue
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Line Michael Buchanan, Illinois
Line Mike Daniels, Iowa
Line Mike Martin, Michigan
Line William Gholston, Michigan State
Linebacker Max Bullough, Michigan State
Linebacker Andrew Sweat, Ohio State
Linebacker Mike Taylor, Wisconsin
Defensive Back Isaiah Lewis, Michigan State
Defensive Back C.J. Barnett, Ohio State
Defensive Back Nick Sukay, Penn State
Defensive Back Ricardo Allen, Purdue
Punter Cody Webster, Purdue
By Chris Peters
Photo Courtesy Getty Images