Forgot to post this on Tuesday
Four offense players, 11 Illini overall earn recognition from B1G coaches and media
Senior running back Josh Fergusonand senior offensive guard Ted Karrasboth were named third-team All-Big Ten on Tuesday, while two other Fighting Illini offensive players were honorable mention selections. They join seven Fighting Illini defensive players that were honored by the conference coaches and media on Monday.
Ferguson was a third-team selection by both the coaches and media, while Karras was third-team by the media and honorable metion by the coaches. Senior wide receiver Geronimo Allison and junior offensive tackle Austin Schmidt both were honorable mention selections by both the coaches and media voting panels.
The four offensive players recognized join second-team defensive back Clayton Fejedelem and honorable mention defenders Taylor Barton, V'Angelo Bentley (return specialist), Mason Monheim, T.J. Neal, Dawuane Smoot and Jihad Ward.
Ferguson | Third-Team Offense
• Played in nine games in 2015, rushing for 708 yards on 129 carries (5.5 ypc) and three TDs
• Caught 37 passes for 280 yards (7.6 ypc) and two touchdowns
• 100-yard rushing games against North Carolina (138), Purdue (133) and Minnesota (105)
• Seventh in B1G in rushing yards (78.7 ypg) & eighth in all-purpose yards (109.8 ypg)
• Second on UI career all-purpose yards list (4,474)
• Third on UI career receptions list (168)
• Sixth on UI career rushing list (2,586)
• Seventh on UI career touchdowns list (26)
• UI record holder for career receptions (168) and receiving yards (1,507) by a running back
Karras | Third-Team Offense
• Started all 12 games at right guard
• Played 88.6 percent of snaps during the 2015 regular season
• Anchored a line that allowed only 20 sacks on the season (1.67 per game)
• Also saw some snaps at center in the season finale vs. Northwestern
• 43 career starts on the offensive line
Honorable Mention Offense
• WR Geronimo Allison – Allison led the team in both receptions (65, eighth-most in Illinois history) and receiving yards (882), ranking third in the Big Ten in receptions per game (5.4) and fifth in receiving yards per game (73.5). His 53-yard touchdown catch at Iowas was the longest Illini passing play of the season and one of three touchdowns on the season for Allison.
• OL Austin Schmidt – Started all 12 games left tackle, playing 88.8% of offensive snaps on the season. Helped the offensive line surrender just 20 sacks (1.67 per game) on over 530 drop-backs in 2015.
Defensive All-Big Ten Honorees (Announced Nov. 30 | Release)
FS Clayton Fejedelem – Second Team
SS Taylor Barton – Honorable Mention
DB V'Angelo Bentley – Honorable Mention (return specialist)
LB Mason Monheim – Honorable Mention
LB T.J. Neal – Honorable Mention
LEO Dawuane Smoot – Honorable Mention
DE/DT Jihad Ward – Honorable Mention
– FIGHTINGILLINI.COM –
Four offense players, 11 Illini overall earn recognition from B1G coaches and media
Senior running back Josh Fergusonand senior offensive guard Ted Karrasboth were named third-team All-Big Ten on Tuesday, while two other Fighting Illini offensive players were honorable mention selections. They join seven Fighting Illini defensive players that were honored by the conference coaches and media on Monday.
Ferguson was a third-team selection by both the coaches and media, while Karras was third-team by the media and honorable metion by the coaches. Senior wide receiver Geronimo Allison and junior offensive tackle Austin Schmidt both were honorable mention selections by both the coaches and media voting panels.
The four offensive players recognized join second-team defensive back Clayton Fejedelem and honorable mention defenders Taylor Barton, V'Angelo Bentley (return specialist), Mason Monheim, T.J. Neal, Dawuane Smoot and Jihad Ward.
Ferguson | Third-Team Offense
• Played in nine games in 2015, rushing for 708 yards on 129 carries (5.5 ypc) and three TDs
• Caught 37 passes for 280 yards (7.6 ypc) and two touchdowns
• 100-yard rushing games against North Carolina (138), Purdue (133) and Minnesota (105)
• Seventh in B1G in rushing yards (78.7 ypg) & eighth in all-purpose yards (109.8 ypg)
• Second on UI career all-purpose yards list (4,474)
• Third on UI career receptions list (168)
• Sixth on UI career rushing list (2,586)
• Seventh on UI career touchdowns list (26)
• UI record holder for career receptions (168) and receiving yards (1,507) by a running back
Karras | Third-Team Offense
• Started all 12 games at right guard
• Played 88.6 percent of snaps during the 2015 regular season
• Anchored a line that allowed only 20 sacks on the season (1.67 per game)
• Also saw some snaps at center in the season finale vs. Northwestern
• 43 career starts on the offensive line
Honorable Mention Offense
• WR Geronimo Allison – Allison led the team in both receptions (65, eighth-most in Illinois history) and receiving yards (882), ranking third in the Big Ten in receptions per game (5.4) and fifth in receiving yards per game (73.5). His 53-yard touchdown catch at Iowas was the longest Illini passing play of the season and one of three touchdowns on the season for Allison.
• OL Austin Schmidt – Started all 12 games left tackle, playing 88.8% of offensive snaps on the season. Helped the offensive line surrender just 20 sacks (1.67 per game) on over 530 drop-backs in 2015.
Defensive All-Big Ten Honorees (Announced Nov. 30 | Release)
FS Clayton Fejedelem – Second Team
SS Taylor Barton – Honorable Mention
DB V'Angelo Bentley – Honorable Mention (return specialist)
LB Mason Monheim – Honorable Mention
LB T.J. Neal – Honorable Mention
LEO Dawuane Smoot – Honorable Mention
DE/DT Jihad Ward – Honorable Mention
– FIGHTINGILLINI.COM –
