Big Ten – Page 13 – North Platte Post Archive

Big Ten Baseball Tournament Expands to Eight-Team Field

Posted on February 7, 2014

Rosemont, Ill. – The conference office announced today that the Big Ten Baseball Tournament will feature an eight-team field for the first time in conference history, beginning with the 2014 event. The 2014 Big Ten Baseball Tournament will be held May 21-25 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb., home of the College World Series.

The tournament’s double-elimination format will culminate with a single championship game on Sunday, with the winner earning the tournament title and the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Championship. All eight teams will begin play in one of two brackets, with the No. 1, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 8 seeds appearing in one bracket and the No. 2, No. 3, No. 6 and No. 7 seeds appearing in the other bracket.

The tournament begins with four contests on Wednesday and Thursday and two games slated for Friday. Saturday will feature the winners of each bracket facing the remaining one-loss team from the opposite bracket in the semifinals. As many as four games are scheduled forSaturday, with the opportunity for two if necessary games to be played to determine Sunday’s championship game participants.

The full 2014 Big Ten Tournament bracket is attached as a PDF. Game times and television information will be available at a later date.

The Big Ten Baseball Tournament has been played annually since 1981, with a four-team field through 1999 and a six-team event from 2000-2013. Six different schools have won the Big Ten Baseball Tournament, with Minnesota leading all conference programs with nine titles. Michigan and Ohio State have each won eight conference tournaments, followed by Illinois with four tournament crowns, Indiana with three and Purdue with one.

Opening day of the 2014 Big Ten baseball season is Friday, Feb. 14, with all 11 teams beginning the new campaign. Indiana appears in the top 10 of numerous preseason publications, while six conference standouts have been named preseason All-Americans by various outlets.

Signing Day Capsules for each Big Ten School

Posted on February 6, 2014

ILLINOIS

National rankings (Rivals 71; Scout 68).

Best in class: Jihad Ward, 6-6 285, dt, Globe Institute of Technology (N.Y.)

Best of the rest: Malik Turner, 6-3 205, wr, Springfield (Ill.) Sacred Heart-Griffin

Late addition: Chris James, 5-11 185, db, Orange-Stark (Texas) High School

One that got away: Tyree Stone-Davis, CB, Pierce College (Calif.).

NOTE: The best player Illinois will add may not be among the signings. Quarterback Wes Lunt sat out last season after transferring from Oklahoma State.

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INDIANA

National rankings: (Rivals 36; Scout 44).

Best in class: Tim Gardner, ol, Avon, Ind.

Best of the rest: Dominque Booth, wr, Indianapolis; Jordan Fuchs, te, Queens, N.Y.; Greg Gooch, lb, Longwood, Fla.; Robert McCray III, Rockdale, Ga.; Tegray Scales, lb, Cincinnati.

Late addition: McCray, who didn’t make his decision until the final hours leading up to signing day.

One that got away: Willie Yarbary, de, Augusta, Ga., decommitted from Indiana and wound up choosing Wake Forest after Indiana changed defensive coordinators.

NOTE: “Physically, he (Gooch) is a Mike linebacker, who can come in and rush off the edge. He’ll provide tremendous personality for this defense,” new coordinator Brian Knorr said.

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IOWA

National rankings (Rivals 60; Scout 41).

Best in class: Wiegers, Scheel

Best of the rest: Nelson, Keegan Render, OG, Indianola, Iowa

Late addition: Taylor

One that got away: Ross Pierschbacher, OT, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Alabama)

NOTE: Although Iowa signed many of the state’s top prospects, Pierschbacher wavered on his oral commitment and wound up with Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa. The Hawkeyes also failed to land the state’s No. 1 recruit, wide receiver and Iowa State signee Allen Lazard. But Lazard’s father and brother played for the Cyclones, and he’s been committed to them for years.

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MARYLAND

National Rankings: (Rivals 51; Scout 60).

Best in class: OL Damian Prince, Forestville, Md. Parade All-American picked Maryland over Florida and South Carolina in a nationally televised ceremony at Bishop McNamara High School.

Best of the rest: DE Jesse Aniebonam, Olney, Md.; WR Juwann Winfree, Englewood, N.J. Aniebonam is a highly regarded pass rusher who had 30 scholarship offers from schools in just about every major conference. Winfree was offered as a safety by Georgia but wanted to play offense.

Late addition: LB Nnamdi Egbuaba, Baltimore. Edsall thinks the Terps got a steal in this under-the-radar prospect, who possesses great size and speed along with a high motor.

One that got away: CB Jalen Tabor, Washington, D.C. Five-star cornerback from Friendship Collegiate Academy grew up minutes from the College Park campus and always spoke highly of Maryland, but ultimately signed with Florida.

NOTES: Two of Maryland’s top recruits are already enrolled at College Park. Derwin Gray and Larry Mazyck, both of whom graduated from Friendship Collegiate Academy in D.C., spent the 2013 season playing at Fork Union Military Academy and Iowa Western Community College, respectively. Gray and Mazyck, who technically count against the Class of 2013 in terms of how their scholarships are assigned, should contend for immediate playing time.

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MICHIGAN

National rankings (Rivals 31; Scout 27).

Best in class: Jabrill Peppers, DB, Paramus, N.J.

Best of the rest: Drake Harris, WR, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Late addition: Jared Wangler, LB, Warren, Mich.

One that got away: Damon Webb, DB, Detroit.

NOTE: Wangler’s father, John, was a quarterback for the Wolverines from 1977-80.

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MICHIGAN STATE

National rankings (Rivals 21; Scout 21).

Best in class: Montae Nicholson, db, Monroeville (Pa.).

Best of the rest: Brian Allen, ol, Hinsdale (Ill.)

Late addition: T.J. Harrell, db, Tampa (Fla.)

One that got away: Darius Slade, de, Montclair, N.J.

NOTE: Slade committed to Michigan State in mid-January but had a late change of heart and signed with Urban Meyer and Ohio State on Wednesday.

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MINNESOTA

National rankings: Rivals 53, Scout 51.

Best in class: Jeff Jones, RB, Minneapolis Washburn HS.

Best of the rest: Isaiah Gentry, WR, Cincinnati Moeller HS; Melvin Holland, WR, Ashburn (Va.) Briar Woods HS; Conner Krizancic, WR, Mentor (Ohio) HS; Brandon Lingen, TE, Wayzata (Minn.) HS; Connor Mayes, OL, Van Alstyne (Texas) HS; Gary Moore, DT, Mobile (Ala.) Murphy HS; Dimonic Roden-McKinzy, QB, Kansas City (Kan.) Wyandotte HS; Andrew Stelter, DE, Owatonna (Minn.) HS.

Late additions: Moore reneged on his verbal commitment to Southern Mississippi and Krizancic did the same to Cincinnati.

One that got away: Frank Ragnow, OL, Chanhassen (Minn.) HS. Signed with Arkansas.

NOTE: Julien Kafo, a defensive end from Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, has an atypical background as a Canadian prospect. He speaks four languages: English, French, German and Spanish.

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NEBRASKA

National Rankings (Rivals 32; Scout 34).

Best in class: Monte Harrison, WR, Lee’s Summit, Mo. He’s a dynamic athlete who led his West High team to a state championship. The question is whether he’ll show up in Lincoln or turn pro in baseball. A speedy and strong-armed outfielder, he’s pegged as a top-50 MLB draft pick.

Best of the rest: Tanner Farmer, OL, Highland, Ill. He made an impressive showing at the Under Armour All-Star Game and is ranked among the best offensive line prospects in the country. He and fellow O-lineman D.J. Foster out of Lincoln will make bids for early playing time.

Late addition: Mikale Wilbon, RB, Chicago. He flipped from Vanderbilt after James Franklin took the Penn State coaching job. He’s been injury prone but has the tools to be a great one.

One that got away: Blake McClain, DL, Jacksonville, Fla. He flipped twice down the stretch, de-committing from Florida State, pledging to Nebraska and signing with South Carolina.

NOTE: Nebraska secured verbal commitments from a half-dozen players in the two weeks before signing day, but the strong finish was mitigated by the loss of McClain and three others who went elsewhere.

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NORTHWESTERN

National rankings (Rivals 66; Scout 56).

Best in class: Clayton Thorson, QB, Wheaton, Ill.

Best of the rest: Austin Anderson, RB, Plano, Texas; Garrett Dickerson, TE, Englewood, N.J.; Justin Jackson, RB, Carol Stream, Ill.; Parrker Westphal, CB, Bolingbrook, Ill.

Late addition: Xavier Washington, DE, Cedar Hill, Texas

One that got away: Hamilton Anoa’I, LB, San Mateo, Calif.

NOTE: DL Fred Wyatt of Lawrence, Kan., comes with a connection to Fitzgerald and Northwestern. His father Buddy was the defensive line coach at Northwestern for two years in the late 1990s, and Buddy and Fitzgerald worked under Gary Barnett at Colorado.

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OHIO STATE

National rankings (Rivals 3; Scout 3).

Best in class: Raekwon McMillan, LB, Hinesville (Ga.) Liberty County

Best of the rest: Dante Booker, LB, Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent-St. Mary; Johnnie Dixon, WR, West Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer; Jamarco Jones, OL, Chicago De La Salle

Late addition: Darius Slade, DL, Montclair (N.J.)

One that got away: Malik McDowell, DL, Southfield (Mich.) to Michigan State

NOTE: “We signed 23 players with an emphasis on linebacker, a position where we’re going through an overhaul. There are four linebackers we recruited and they have to play four us. Just so everybody knows, there’s no redshirting (for them),” Meyer said.

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PENN STATE

National rankings: Rivals 21; Scout 21.

Best in class: Saeed Blacknall, WR, 6-2, 210, Manalapan, N.J.

Best of the rest: De’Andre Thompkins of Swansboro, N.C., and Chris Godwin of Middletown, Del., were two of four wide receivers coach James Franklin recruited to fill void left by Allen Robinson, who left for the NFL draft. . Quarterback Michael O’Connor from Ottawa, Ontario, trained with former Florida State Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and was one of five of Penn State’s 25 signees who began Penn State classes in January. . Franklin also added to his complement of tight ends with Mike Gesicki (6-5, 245) from Manahawkin, N.J.

Late addition: Torrence Brown, a three-star defensive lineman (6-4, 240) from Tuscaloosa, Ala., who de-committed from Southern Mississippi.

One that got away: Four-star defensive tackle Thomas Holley of Brooklyn, N.Y., de-committed from Penn State and opted for Florida when longtime Penn State assistant coach Larry Johnson became defensive line coach and assistant head coach at Ohio State.

NOTE: Recruits who faxed in letters of intent were welcomed by Franklin and his assistants via cellphone and were announced individually in NFL draft day fashion. There was a draft board that listed all players in the football offices as well.

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PURDUE

National rankings (Rivals 75; Scout 64).

Best in class: Gelen Robinson, de, St. John, Ind.

Best of the rest: David Blough, qb, Carrollton, Texas; Tim Cason, db, Clarkston, Mich.

Late addition: Corey Clements, ol, Mesa (Ariz.) CC.

One that got away: Ladarius Wiley, wr, Los Angeles, decommitted earlier this week.

NOTE: “We’re really excited about getting our needs. You look at last season, and I think we’ve done a lot of good things in addressing those needs.” — coach Darrell Hazell.

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RUTGERS

National rankings (Rivals 57; Scout 55).

Best in class: Sideny Gorpe, LB, Newark, N.J.

Best of the rest: Kevin Wilkins, DL, Mahwah, N.J.

Late addition: Giovanni Rescigno, QB, Macomb Township, Mich.

One that got away: Saeed Blacknall, WR, Manalapan, N.J.

NOTE: “…Rutgers had an abysmal year,” Mike Farrell, the national recruiting analyst for Rivals.com said. “They’ve had 12 de-commitments, which is a record. I’ve never heard of a program that didn’t lose a head coach, that didn’t go under NCAA sanctions, lose that many kids. They just had a disastrous recruiting year. I think they’re ninth in the Big Ten.”

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WISCONSIN

National rankings: (Rivals 33; Scout 28).

Best in class: Jaden Gault, OL, Cottage Grove, Wis.

Best of the rest: D.J. Gillins, QB, Jacksonville, Fla.; Dareian Watkins, WR, Galion, Ohio; Taiwan Deal, RB, Capitol Heights, Md.; George Panos, OL, Hartland, Wis.; Conor Sheehy, DL, Milwaukee.

Late addition: D’Cota Dixon, CB, Oak Hill, Fla.

One that got away: Craig Evans, DL, Sun Prairie, Wis. (Michigan St.)

NOTES: Panos’ father, Joe, played offensive line at Wisconsin from 1990-93 and was captain of the 1993 Big Ten championship team. … Andersen’s son, Chasen, is joining the Badgers as a walk-on inside linebacker.

American Cancer Society & BTN LiveBIG Team up for Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend

Posted on January 13, 2014January 13, 2014

CHICAGO – As part of its pro-social initiative BTN LiveBIG, the Big Ten Network (BTN) will join the American Cancer Society in the support of Suits and Sneakers™ Awareness Weekend Jan. 24-26, when coaches wear sneakers with their suits during games to raise awareness of the fight against cancer.

BTN is televising games at Northwestern, Purdue, Indiana and Nebraska that weekend and is working with the universities and the society to encourage students on each campus to wear suits and sneakers to the games. The university with the most students “suited up” will receive a $10,000 donation to the school’s Relay for Life Initiative, which raises critical funds for cancer research. The donation will be presented at halftime of a home game in February.

“Big Ten students are not only the best college sports fans in the country but they also have big hearts,” said Erin Harvego, BTN vice president of marketing. “Through BTN LiveBIG, we are excited to provide an opportunity with the American Cancer Society for students to support not only their school and their coach but also this great cause. We expect to see some very creative suit/sneakers combinations in the student sections that weekend.”

Coaches’ participation in Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend provides a visual reminder that prevention is key when it comes to blocking cancer before it takes center court in people’s lives, said Natalie Morrison, American Cancer Society managing director for Coaches vs. Cancer. “Thanks to BTN and Coaches vs. Cancer supporters, the American Cancer Society is able to provide hope, support and answers to the nearly 14 million cancer survivors celebrating another birthday this year.”

Each student wearing a suit will need to visit a specially designated check-in station at each arena before the second half of the game in order to be counted and compete for the $10,000 donation.

The annual event is coordinated by the Coaches vs. Cancer program, a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Since 1993, participating coaches have helped raise more than $85 million for the society’s lifesaving work. For more information on Suits and Sneakers™ Awareness Weekend, please visitwww.coachesvscancer.org.

BTN LiveB1G is a television program and website which shines a light on the community of Big Ten students, faculty and alumni who are making a difference in the world through innovations in research, education and community service. For more information on upcoming episodes, please visit BTNLiveBIG.com.

Students looking for more information on participating in Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers™ Awareness Weekend can call800-227-2345, or visit one of the following websites, RelayForLife.org/Northwestern, RelayForLife.org/Purdue,RelayForLife.org/Indiana, RelayForLife.org/Nebraska.

Big Ten Suits and Sneakers™ Awareness Weekend Schedule (All times Eastern)

DATE	GAME	TIME
Saturday, January 25, 2014	Iowa at Northwestern	Noon
Saturday, January 25, 2014	Wisconsin at Purdue	5:00 PM
Sunday, January 26, 2014	Illinois at Indiana	3:00 PM
Sunday, January 26, 2014	Minnesota at Nebraska	6:00 PM

Bowl Destinations Set for Seven Big Ten Programs

Posted on December 8, 2013

Rosemont, Ill. – Seven Big Ten schools were selected for bowl competition on Sunday night, including two teams earning Bowl Championship Series (BCS) berths. Big Ten Champion Michigan State will represent the conference in the historic 100^th edition of the Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO and Ohio State is headed to the Discover Orange Bowl. In addition, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin collected bids to postseason contests.

After winning the Big Ten Football Championship Game to secure the Amos Alonzo Stagg Championship Trophy, Michigan State will take on Stanford in the Rose Bowl Game. Kickoff of the 2014 contest is set for5:10 p.m. ET on Jan. 1. The Spartans are heading to Pasadena for the first time since the 1988 Rose Bowl Game and competing in the contest for the fifth time in program history. Michigan State has advanced to a program-record seven straight postseason contests and is making its 24th bowl appearance in team history. The Spartans are 3-2 against Stanford, having last played the Cardinal in the 1996 Sun Bowl.

Ohio State makes its first official BCS appearance since the 2010 Rose Bowl Game when it heads to the Orange Bowl to take on Clemson. The game will be contested in Miami Gardens, Fla. at 8:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 3. The Buckeyes will be making their 43rd official appearance in postseason competition, having last appeared in the 2012 Gator Bowl. Ohio State will officially appear in its ninth BCS contest and will take part in the Orange Bowl for just the second time after winning the 1977 game. The only previous meeting between Ohio State and Clemson was in the 1978 Gator Bowl.

Wisconsin heads to the Capital One Bowl for the first time since the 2007 game and will face South Carolina at 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 1, in Orlando, Fla. The Badgers are taking part in postseason play for a school-record 12th straight season and are making their 25th bowl appearance. Wisconsin will make its third trip to the Capital One Bowl, with consecutive victories following the 2005 and 2006 seasons. The New Year’s Day matchup will mark the Badgers’ first meeting with South Carolina.

Iowa returns to the bowl scene with its fifth bowl berth in the last six seasons and will take on LSU in the Outback Bowl at 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 1 in Tampa, Fla. The Hawkeyes will make their 27th postseason appearance overall, having won three of their last four bowl contests. Iowa will make its fourth trip to the Outback Bowl, including victories in 2004 and 2009. The Hawkeyes have faced LSU just once in program history, knocking off the Tigers on a last-second touchdown in the 2005 Capital One Bowl.

Michigan heads to the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl for the first time in team history and will face Kansas State. The game is slated for Dec. 28, with kick scheduled for 10:15 p.m. ET in Tempe, Ariz. The Wolverines will take part in postseason competition for the fourth straight season and 43rd time in program history. The postseason contest will be the first meeting between Michigan and Kansas State.

Nebraska will face Georgia in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl at 12 p.m. ET on Jan. 1 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Huskers will make their 50th bowl appearance and seventh straight. Nebraska will take part in the Gator Bowl for the second time in school history after defeating Clemson in the 2009 contest. The Huskers have faced Georgia twice, including last season’s meeting in the Capital One Bowl.

Minnesota will take part in the Texas Bowl for the second straight season and will face Syracuse on Dec. 27 at 6 p.m. ET in Houston, Texas. The Gophers will be making their 16th postseason appearance and second straight bowl trip. Minnesota has faced the Orange four times in program history, owning a 3-1 mark, most recently a victory in 2012.

Big Ten Leads All Conferences with Eight Football Academic All-Americans

Posted on December 5, 2013

Rosemont, Ill. – The Big Ten led all conferences with eight student-athletes named to the Capital One Academic All-America first or second teams in football as announced today by CoSIDA. The Big Ten has now led all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conferences in Academic All-Americans for nine straight seasons, with 72 honorees over that time span.

The Big Ten’s total of eight Academic All-Americans topped all conferences, as no other conference produced more than five honorees. The Big Ten also led all conferences with six first-team selections, while Nebraska led all schools with three honorees. Michigan State was one of just three schools to have two student-athletes earn placement on the first team.

The Academic All-America first-team honorees from the Big Ten are Indiana’s Mark Murphy, Iowa’s James Morris, Michigan State’s Max Bullough and Mike Sadler, Nebraska’s Spencer Long and Penn State’s John Urschel. Urschel was one of two players among this year’s honorees to earn first-team accolades for a second time while both Bullough and Sadler earned second-team accolades last season. The Big Ten’s second-team Academic All-Americans are the Nebraska pair of Jake Long and C.J. Zimmerer.

To be eligible for the award, a player must be in at least his second year of athletic eligibility, be a first-team or key performer and carry a cumulative 3.30 grade point average (GPA).

Ohio State’s Braxton Miller Claims Second Consecutive Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year Award

Posted on December 3, 2013

Rosemont, Ill. – For the second consecutive season, Ohio State’s Braxton Miller was named the Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year, the Big Ten Conference announced on Tuesday. Also among Tuesday’s individual award winners from the 2013 football season were Wisconsin’s Chris Borland as the Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year, Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg as the Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year and Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio as the Hayes-Schembechler and Dave McClain Coach of the Year.

Since the honor began in 1990, Miller becomes the first player in Big Ten history to claim two consecutive Offensive Player of the Year awards. The only other player to earn the conference’s top offensive honor twice was Purdue quarterback Drew Brees (1998 and 2000). Prior to 1990, Indiana running back Anthony Thompson won two consecutive Player of the Year Awards in 1988 and 1989. Miller is the fifth Buckeye to collect the award, along with Joe Germaine (1998), Orlando Pace (1996) and Heisman Trophy winners Troy Smith (2006) and Eddie George (1995). The Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year for the second straight year, Miller averaged 265 yards of total offense per game and accounted for 29 total touchdowns in leading Ohio State to a perfect 12-0 record.

Voted first-team All-Big Ten for the third straight season, Borland is the fifth Badger to receive the conference’s top defensive award, following Erasmus James (2004), Jamar Fletcher (2000), Tom Burke (1998) and Troy Vincent (1991). Borland was named the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year and leads Wisconsin and ranks third in the conference with 9.3 tackles per game. He also tied the conference record with his 14^th career forced fumble earlier this season.

An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, Hackenberg is the third Nittany Lion and second in as many seasons to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, joining Deion Barnes (2012) and Curtis Enis (1995). The quarterback ranked third in the conference with 246.2 passing yards per game and connected on 20 touchdown passes. Hackenberg was named the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Week five times this season, which ranks second since the award began in 2010.

Dantonio claims his second Big Ten Coach of the Year laurel in the last four years after being honored in 2010, when he became the fourth Michigan State coach to earn the award. In his seventh year in East Lansing, Dantonio led the Spartans to an 11-1 overall mark, including an 8-0 record in conference play and the outright Legends Division title. He coached six players to first-team All-Big Ten status, including Shilique Calhoun, the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year, and Darqueze Dennard, the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year.

For more information on the Big Ten’s enhanced football awards program, and to read more about the trophy namesakes, visitbigten.org.

Big Ten Football Award Honorees and Trophy Namesakes

Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year: Braxton Miller, Ohio State

Named for Northwestern’s Otto Graham and Ohio State’s Eddie George

Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year: Chris Borland, Wisconsin

Named for Minnesota’s Bronko Nagurski and Michigan’s Charles Woodson

Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year: Christian Hackenberg, Penn State

Named for Minnesota’s Darrell Thompson and Indiana’s Antwaan Randle El

Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year (coaches vote): Mark Dantonio, Michigan State

Named for Ohio State’s Woody Hayes and Michigan’s Bo Schembechler

Dave McClain Coach of the Year (media vote): Mark Dantonio, Michigan State

Named for Wisconsin’s Dave McClain

Big Ten Announces 2013 Postseason Volleyball Honors

Posted on December 3, 2013

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten announced its postseason volleyball awards on Tuesday, with student-athletes from four schools earning recognition following the conclusion of the 2013 regular season. Nebraska’s Kelsey Robinson has been named the Big Ten Player of the Year by a vote of the conference’s coaches, while Michigan State’s Kori Moster and Wisconsin’s Lauren Carlini were tabbed Defensive Player and Freshman of the Year, respectively. Penn State’s Micha Hancock earned Setter of the Year honors, while Nittany Lion head coach Russ Rose was tabbed Coach of the Year by Big Ten coaches and media.

Robinson led the Big Ten in kills (4.69) and points (5.41) per set during the conference season, helping Nebraska to the No. 8 overall seed in the NCAA Championship. The Husker senior also hit at a .349 clip on 765 total attempts. Robinson becomes the first Nebraska player to win the Player of the Year award.

Moster averaged 4.65 digs per set this season en route to being tabbed the top defensive player in the conference for the second year in a row. The Spartan junior is the only Michigan State player to have earned Defensive Player of the Year honors and just the second student-athlete to collect multiple defensive accolades, joining Minnesota’s Paula Gentil who won three straight from 2002-04.

Hancock takes home her second consecutive Big Ten Setter of the Year award. The Penn State junior led the Big Ten in assists (11.47) and service aces (.52) per set in conference play. Hancock was named Big Ten Setter of the Week five times this season.

Carlini is the third Badger to be named Freshman of the Year and the first since Claudia Rodriguez in 2000. The setter paced the Wisconsin offense, averaging 10.87 assists per set. She has also accumulated a team-high 19 double-doubles this season.

Rose earns top billing among the conference’s coaches and media for the second consecutive year after guiding Penn State to a 28-2 overall record and a 19-1 mark in Big Ten play en route to its 10^th conference title in the last 11 years. The Nittany Lions also earned the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA Championship. Rose’s award from the coaches marks his 12^th all-time and sixth in the last seven years, while his honor from the media is his eighth in the last nine years.

Fourteen Big Ten players were tabbed All-Big Ten by the conference’s coaches, with eight making the team via unanimous vote. Joining Robinson as unanimous All-Big Ten selections are Illinois’ Jocelynn Birks, Michigan State’s Lauren Wicinski, Minnesota’s Tori Dixon and Ashley Wittman, and Penn State’s Deja McClendon, Katie Slay and Ariel Scott. Rounding out the All-Conference Team are Michigan’s Jennifer Cross, Nebraska’s Kadie Rolfzen, Northwestern’s Stephanie Holthus, Penn State’s Hancock, Purdue’s Val Nichol and Wisconsin’s Carlini.

Carlini was unanimously voted to the All-Freshman Team, along with Nebraska’s Rolfzen. Michigan’s Abby Cole, Michigan State’s Chloe Reinig, Minnesota’s Hannah Tapp, Ohio State’s Taylor Sandbothe and Wisconsin’s Haleigh Nelson also appeared on the seven-player team.

The Big Ten also recognized 12 Sportsmanship Award honorees. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These student-athletes must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.

The complete list of All-Big Ten honorees, individual award winners and Sportsmanship Award Honorees can be found below.

ALL-BIG TEN

JOCELYNN BIRKS, So., OH, ILL

Jennifer Cross, Sr., MB, MICH

LAUREN WICINSKI, Sr., OH, MSU

TORI DIXON, Sr., MH, MINN

ASHLEY WITTMAN, Sr., OH, MINN

KELSEY ROBINSON, Sr., OH, NEB

Kadie Rolfzen, Fr., OH, NEB

Stephanie Holthus, Sr., OH, NU

DEJA McCLENDON, Sr., OH, PSU

Micha Hancock, Jr., S, PSU

KATIE SLAY, Sr., MB, PSU

ARIEL SCOTT, Sr., OH, PSU

Val Nichol, Jr., OH/S, PUR

Lauren Carlini, Fr., S., WIS

Honorable Mention

Liz McMahon, Jr., OPP, ILL

Alexis Mathews, Sr., MB, MSU

Kori Moster, Jr., LIB, MSU

Mary Pollmiller, Jr., S, NEB

Kaitlyn Leary, Sr., OH, OSU

Carly Cramer, Sr., LIB, PUR

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

Abby Cole, RS, MICH

Chloe Reinig, OH, MSU

Hannah Tapp, MB, MINN

KADIE ROLFZEN, OH, NEB

Taylor Sandbothe, MB, OSU

LAUREN CARLINI, S, WIS

Haleigh Nelson, MB, WIS

Unanimous selections in CAPS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kelsey Robinson, NEB

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kori Moster, MSU

SETTER OF THE YEAR

Micha Hancock, PSU

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Lauren Carlini, WIS

COACH OF THE YEAR (COACHES AND MEDIA)

Russ Rose, PSU

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES

Courtney Abrahamovich, ILL

Jade Henderson, IND

Alli O’Deen, IOWA

Brittany Lee, MICH

Kristen Kelsay, MSU

Daly Santana, MINN

Morgan Broekhuis, NEB

Katie Dutchman, NU

Andrea Kacsits, OSU

Maggie Harding, PSU

Katie Griffin, PUR

Annemarie Hickey, WIS

Big Ten Issues Public Reprimand of Nebraska Football Head Coach Bo Pelini and Announces Institutional Fine

Posted on December 2, 2013

Rosemont, Ill. – The Big Ten office today issued a public reprimand of Nebraska football head coach Bo Pelini for violating the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy following Nebraska’s game against Iowa on Nov. 29, 2013. In addition, the conference announced that the institution has been fined $10,000 as a result of the violation.

The Big Ten determined that Pelini’s postgame comments regarding officials were in violation of Big Ten Conference Agreement 10.01, which states in part that “The Big Ten Conference expects all contests involving a member institution to be conducted without compromise to any fundamental element of sportsmanship. Such fundamental elements include integrity of competition, civility toward all, and respect, particularly toward opponents and officials.” Coaches are teachers as well, and there is an expectation that they set the example for student-athletes and others in areas of sportslike conduct.

“The University of Nebraska embraces and supports the Big Ten Conference’s Sportsmanship Policy,” said Nebraska Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst. “In that regard, we were disappointed with Coach Pelini’s actions this past Friday regarding game officials. We immediately recognized and addressed the situation with Coach Pelini and the Big Ten Conference. In addition, Coach Pelini acknowledged and accepted responsibility for the inappropriateness of his actions and issued a public apology in advance of this reprimand.”

The Big Ten Conference considers this matter concluded and will have no further comment.

Four Football Standouts Repeat as Big Ten Individual Award Winners

Posted on December 2, 2013

Rosemont, Ill. – The Big Ten on Monday announced the 2013 All-Big Ten teams as well as 10 postseason individual award winners, with Michigan’s Taylor Lewan, Northwestern’s Jeff Budzien, Ohio State’s Braxton Miller and Penn State’s Allen Robinson earning individual honors for the second straight season. Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State each claimed two individual trophies, while one standout each from Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin earned an award.

Michigan’s Lewan was named the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year for the second consecutive season, the first conference player to earn back-to-back accolades since fellow-Wolverine Jake Long was honored in 2006 and 2007. After sharing the award last season, Northwestern’s Budzien was named the Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year for the second straight season. Ohio State’s Miller earned the Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year honor for the second consecutive year, while Penn State’s Robinson claimed the Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year award in back-to-back seasons.

In other Big Ten individual honors, the Wolverines’ Devin Funchess was tabbed the Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year, Michigan State’s Darqueze Dennard earned the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year honor, while teammate Shilique Calhoun was named the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year. The Buckeyes’ Carlos Hyde was tabbed the Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year, Purdue’s Cody Webster claimed the Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year honor, while Wisconsin’s Chris Borland was named the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year.

Thirteen Big Ten players were named repeat selections to the All-Big Ten first-team, including Michigan’s Lewan, Michigan State linebacker Max Bullough, Dennard and punter Mike Sadler, Northwestern’s Budzien, Ohio State’s Miller, guard Andrew Norwell, defensive back Bradley Roby and linebacker Ryan Shazier, Penn State’s Robinson and guard John Urschel and Wisconsin wide receiver Jared Abbrederis and Borland.

The Big Ten postseason awards process is voted on by conference coaches and a select media panel and honors teams, coaches and student-athletes with individual honors that each bear the names of one or two former standouts. The Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian and Ford-Kinnick Leadership awards were announced last week, 10 individual trophies were announced Monday, and the remaining five trophy winners will be unveiled on Tuesday.

A complete list of the 2013 All-Big Ten teams and select individual award winners, along with this year’s sportsmanship honorees, can be found on the attached PDF.

Twelve Huskers Honored by Big Ten

Posted on December 2, 2013

A dozen Nebraska players were honored by the Big Ten on Monday, earning all-conference honors as announced by the league office. Three Huskers were named first-team All-Big Ten selections by either the conference coaches or a media panel.

Junior running back Ameer Abdullah and sophomore defensive end Randy Gregory were first-team All-Big Ten selections on both the media and coaches teams. Senior defensive back Ciante Evans joined Abdullah and Gregory on the coaches All-Big Ten first team.

Abdullah has put together one of the top seasons for a running back in Nebraska history. The Homewood, Ala., native has rushed for 1,568 yards and eight touchdowns this season, and finished second in the conference in rushing yards per game. His rushing total is the fifth-best in school history and the best by a Nebraska player since 1997. Abdullah recorded 10 games with 100 or more rushing yards, including seven in Big Ten Conference play.

Abdullah was honored by the Big Ten for the second straight season after earning second-team all-conference honors as a sophomore.

Gregory quickly became one of the Big Ten’s top defenders in his first season in Lincoln. Gregory leads the Big Ten with 9.5 sacks, with 9.0 coming in Big Ten Conference action. Gregory also ranked second in the conference in tackles for loss at 17 and leads Nebraska with 17 quarterback hurries. He also recorded an interception for a touchdown, along with a fumble caused and fumble recovery.

Gregory’s selection marks the fifth time in Bo Pelini’s six seasons as head coach that Nebraska has had a first-team all-conference defensive lineman.

A senior captain, Evans has been the leader of the Nebraska defense this season. The Arlington, Texas native has intercepted four passes, while adding five pass breakups. Evans also has 44 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and three sacks. The tackles for loss total leads all Big Ten defensive backs, and both his TFL and sack totals are Nebraska position season records.

Evans’ choice as a first-team All-Big Ten performer marks the fifth consecutive year Nebraska has had at least one first-team all-conference defensive back. Last season, Evans was an honorable-mention all-conference pick.

In addition to being a first-team choice on the coaches’ team, Evans was a second-team All-Big Ten pick by the media panel. Two other Huskers earned second-team accolades on Monday. Cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste was a second-team choice on both teams, while senior center Cole Pensick earned second-team honors from the Big Ten coaches.

Baptiste ranks among the league leaders in interceptions with four and pass breakups with 11. He also recorded 35 tackles. Pensick manned the center position for the majority of the season, before splitting time between center and guard late in the season as the NU offensive line battled injuries. The offensive line paved the way for Abdullah’s outstanding season.

Six other Huskers earned honorable-mention all-conference honors on Monday. The coaches’ honorable mention all-conference list included defensive end Jason Ankrah, wide receiver Kenny Bell, safety Corey Cooper and offensive linemen Andrew Rodriguez and Jeremiah Sirles. Honorable-mention choices according to the media panel were Ankrah, Bell, Pensick, Rodriguez, Sirles and place-kicker Pat Smith. Bell and Sirles earned all-conference honors for the second straight year after both being second-team choices in 2012.

Senior fullback C.J. Zimmerer was chosen as Nebraska’s Sportsmanship honoree.

Nebraska Honorees:

First-Team All-Big Ten: IB Ameer Abdullah (Coaches and Media); DE Randy Gregory (Coaches and Media); DB Ciante Evans (Coaches)

Second-Team All-Big Ten: Evans (Media); CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste (Coaches and Media); C Cole Pensick (Coaches)

Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten: Pensick (Media); DE Jason Ankrah (Coaches and Media); WR Kenny Bell (Coaches and Media); OT Andrew Rodriguez (Coaches and Media); OT Jeremiah Sirles (Coaches and Media); S Corey Cooper (Coaches); PK Pat Smith (Media)