Huskers – Page 80 – North Platte Post Archive

Husker Wrestling Starts December in Las Vegas

Posted on December 3, 2014

After nearly two weeks off from competition, Nebraska travels to Las Vegas, Nev., on Friday and Saturday for the 33rd Annual Cliff Keen Invitational at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The event will be streamed on Flowrestling.org, with a subscription required to view the matches. Friday’s competition begins at 11 a.m. (CT) with the pigtail round and first two rounds as well as consolation matches. The quarterfinals are slated for 8 p.m.

On Saturday, consolation matches continue at 11 a.m. before the semifinals and consolation finals (fifth- and seventh-place matches) take place in the afternoon. The championship finals are set for 5 p.m.

Last season, the Huskers finished second at the tournament as James Green captured the 157-pound title.

Pelini Has Final Meeting with Nebraska Players

Posted on December 3, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Fired head coach Bo Pelini has held one last meeting with his former players at Nebraska.

They met off the university campus, gathering Tuesday night in the auditorium of a local high school.

Pelini was fired Sunday after finishing the season 9-3. His Huskers never won a conference championship and his teams lost four games in every season he completed. Pelini’s successor hasn’t yet been named.

After the meeting, several players expressed gratitude to their fiery coach and wished him well. Pelini has not said publicly what his future plans are.

Orange Bowl Announces 2014 Hall of Fame Class

Posted on December 3, 2014December 3, 2014

Miami Lakes, Fla. (www.orangebowl.org) – The Orange Bowl will induct Andre Cooper, Tucker Frederickson, and Ahman Green into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame presented by Deloitte. The induction will take place at the AvMed Orange Bowl Coaches Luncheon at Jungle Island in Miami on December 30, 2014. Cooper is the eighth Florida State Seminole to be inducted into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame presented by Deloitte. Frederickson will be the first Auburn Tiger to receive the honor. Green is the thirteenth honoree from the University of Nebraska, the most of any other school.

Andre Cooper came to Florida State as a two sport athlete – football and basketball – but is remembered for having one of the greatest single season performances in school history and a setting an Orange Bowl record in one of the Classic’s most thrilling matchups. In 1995-96, Cooper set the Florida State record for most receiving touchdowns in a season with 15, a mark that he solely held until 2013-14, when it was equaled by Kelvin Benjamin. In the 31-26 1996 Orange Bowl win over Notre Dame, Cooper caught three touchdown passes including a three yard score in with six minutes left that pulled FSU ahead for good and earned him Most Outstanding Player honors. After leaving Florida State, Cooper spent time in the NFL as a member of the Denver Broncos.

Tucker Frederickson is a native of Hollywood, Florida and graduate of South Broward H.S. He went to Auburn and became an outstanding two-way player for the Tigers. In 1964 he was named All-American, was the runner-up in the Heisman Race and won the Jacobs Trophy as outstanding blocker in the SEC. Coach Shug Jordan called him “the most complete football player I’ve ever seen.” He was the first player selected in the 1965 NFL Draft, by the New York Giants, and played until 1971 when a knee injury forced his retirement. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994. Tucker played on both offense and defense on Auburn’s 1964 Orange Bowl team against Nebraska.

Ahman Green was a focal point in the dominating and high scoring Nebraska Cornhusker offenses of the mid 1990’s. Green led a ground game that helped the Huskers capture back to back Orange Bowl wins including a national championship title victory over Tennessee in the 1998 Orange Bowl. In that game, Green set the Orange Bowl single game rushing record with 206 yards on 29 carries and two scores. He ranks second in most rushing yards in a single season (1,877) and all-time at Nebraska (3,880). Green left school following his junior season and was drafted in the third round by the Seattle Seahawks in 1998. When he was traded to the Green Bay Packers in 2000 his professional career took off. In eight seasons with the Packers, he became the team’s all-time leading rusher (8,322 yards), all-time leader in yards from scrimmage (11,048), 1,000-yard seasons (six), 100-yard games (33) and rushing attempts (1,851). The four-time Pro Bowler also set the Packer’s single season record in rushing yards (1,883).

In addition to the induction on Dec. 30, the new Hall of Fame members will be introduced to the crowd pre-game at the 2014 Capital One Orange Bowl. The 81^st edition of the game will be played on December 31 at Sun Life Stadium in South Florida, is part of the New Year’s Six Bowls and pits the ACC Champion (or highest ranking ACC team if the champion goes to the College Football Playoff) against the highest ranked available non-champion from the Big Ten, SEC, or Notre Dame. Applications are currently being accepted online for media credentials for the 2014 Capital One Orange Bowl. Accredited media can access the application by logging on www.orangebowl.org/pressbox. For additional information about the Orange Bowl Committee or the 2014 Capital One Orange Bowl, please visit www.orangebowl.org or email[email protected].

Shields Nominated for Good Works Team

Posted on December 3, 2014

Lincoln – University of Nebraska wing Shavon Shields was honored Wednesday, as he was chosen as a nominee for the 2015 Allstate NABC Good Works Team.

Shields, a junior biological sciences major, is being recognized for his efforts in the community, as he has been active in the Huskers’ Life Skills program during his collegiate career. He has participated in hospital visits, severed as a keynote speaker for the Sportsmanship Pep Rally, as well as volunteer for Husker Heroes, Ollie Webb and Nebrasketball Buddies. He also served as the basketball team’s representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

A first-team Academic All-District VII selection, Shields was also one of 16 national finalists across all of college athletics for the 2014 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award for his efforts in the classroom and community.

The 2015 Allstate NABC Good Works Team will be announced in February, as five players from the Division I will be selected for the team. Shields was one of 158 men’s basketball players nominated from all levels of college basketball.

On the court, Shields earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors in 2014, helping the Huskers to a 19-13 record and the school’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998. This season, Shields is averaging 20.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for Nebraska, which is 5-1 on the season heading into Sunday’s game against Creighton.

Petteway Named to Naismith Trophy Watch List

Posted on December 3, 2014

Lincoln – Nebraska basketball standout Terran Petteway was tabbed for the Naismith Trophy Men’s 50 Watch List released Wednesday.

Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T recognizes the top Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Players of the Year. The Naismith Trophy is presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

Petteway has enjoyed a strong start in helping the Huskers to a 5-1 record so far in 2013-14. He is averaging 21.0 points per game to rank second in the Big Ten along with 5.5 rebounds and a team-high 2.5 assists per game. In addition, the 6-foot-6 guard/forward is also averaging 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game for the Huskers, who are 5-1 following a 70-65 win over Florida State on Monday.

As a sophomore, Petteway averaged 18.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. The 6-foot-6 wing led the Big Ten in scoring – becoming the first Husker in more than six decades to lead the conference in scoring for a season – and had a pair of 30-point games on the season, including a career-high 35 points against Minnesota. He was his best against the Huskers’ toughest foes, averaging 20.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in 12 games against top-50 competition to help the Huskers reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998.

The Huskers return to action Sunday night, as they host Creighton at a sold-out Pinnacle Bank Arena. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. the game will be carried by BTN and available on the Husker Sports Network.

No. 12 Huskers Ready for Top-15 Showdown with No. 9 Duke

Posted on December 2, 2014December 3, 2014

The No. 12 Nebraska women’s basketball team gears up for a top-15 showdown with No. 9 Duke when the two perennial powers meet in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Wednesday in Lincoln.

Tip-off between the Huskers (6-0) and Blue Devils (5-1) is set for 6:30 p.m. (central) with tickets available in advance at Huskers.com or by calling the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office at 1-800-8-BIG-RED during regular business hours. Tickets also will be available at the Pinnacle Bank Arena Box Office beginning two hours prior to tip-off on Wednesday.

The game will be televised live nationally by the Big Ten Network, with Kevin Kugler and Mary Murphy on the call. Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch will call the action on the Husker Sports Radio Network. The game can be heard live in Lincoln on B107.3 FM and 93.3 FM in Omaha, along with free live audio on Huskers.com.

Wednesday night’s game will be a rematch of the 2013 NCAA Sweet 16 clash between the Huskers and Blue Devils in Norfolk, Va. Duke came away with a hard-fought 53-45 win in that game, which marks the only previous meeting in the history of the two schools. Last season, both Nebraska and Duke were seeded among the top four teams in the Lincoln Regional, but both squads were upset in the NCAA second round.

Nebraska reeled off six straight wins to open the season, capping a perfect November with a 63-56 win over previously unbeaten Northern Colorado on Sunday. The Huskers are led by All-America point guard Rachel Theriot, who is averaging 19.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists after producing three straight 20-point games. Theriot poured in a season-high 25 points against Northern Colorado.

Three-time All-American Elizabeth Williams leads the Blue Devils. The senior ranks among Duke’s top 10 in career points, rebounds and blocked shots, while averaging 14.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game this season. She missed Sunday’s 63-59 loss at No. 7 Texas A&M with an ankle sprain.

#12 Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
3 – Hailie Sample – 6-1 – Sr. – F – 5.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg
23 – Emily Cady – 6-2 – Sr. – F – 14.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg
1 – Tear’a Laudermill – 5-9 – Sr. – G – 11.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg
13 – Brandi Jeffery – 5-7 – Sr. – G – 10.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg
33 – Rachel Theriot – 6-0 – Jr. – G – 19.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Off the Bench
31 – Anya Kalenta – 6-3 – Jr. – F – 6.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg
5 – Natalie Romeo – 5-7 – Fr. – G – 4.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg
22 – Allie Havers – 6-5 – So. – C – 4.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg
34 – Jasmine Cincore – 5-8 – Fr. – G – 2.2 ppg, 0.6 rpg
30 – Chandler Smith – 6-0 – Fr. – G – 1.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg
2 – Kaylee Page – 6-2 – Fr. – F – 0.5 ppg, 0.5 rpg
11 – Esther Ramacieri – 5-8 – So. – G – 0.2 ppg, 0.4 rpg
12 – Emily Wood – 5-5 – Fr. – G – 0.0 ppg, 0.7 rpg
50 – Darrien Washington – 6-2 – Fr. – F – High School
Head Coach: Connie Yori (Creighton, 1986)
13th Season at NU (247-142); 25th Season Overall (442-282)

#9 Duke Blue Devils (5-1, 0-0 ACC)
1 – Elizabeth Williams – 6-3 – Sr. – C/F – 14.0 ppg, 9.8 rpg
30 – Amber Henson – 6-4 – Sr. – C/F – 6.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg
4 – Sierra Calhoun – 6-0 – Fr. – G/F – 9.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg
14 – Ka’lia Johnson – 5-10 – Sr. – G/F – 6.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg
23 – Rebecca Greenwell – 6-1 – RFr. – G – 15.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg
Off the Bench
11 – Azura Stevens – 6-5 – Fr. – F/G – 11.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg
22 – Oderah Chidom – 6-4 – So. – F – 10.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg
32 – Erin Mathias – 6-4 – Fr. – F/C – 4.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg
34 – Lynee Belton – 6-3 – Fr. – F/G – 3.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg
21 – Kendall Cooper – 6-4 – So. – F/C – 2.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg
35 – Jenna Frush – 5-6 – Sr. – G – 1.0 ppg, 0.8 rpg
12 – Mercedes Riggs – 5-7 – Jr. – G – 0.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg
Head Coach: Joanne P. McCallie (Northwestern, 1987)
8th Season at Duke (207-43); 23rd Season Overall (523-191)

Fien, K. Rolfzen Named All-Big Ten; Pollmiller Honorable Mention

Posted on December 2, 2014

LINCOLN – Kelsey Fien and Kadie Rolfzen were named to the All-Big Ten team, while Mary Pollmiller earned honorable mention and a sportsmanship award, the Big Ten Conference announced on Tuesday.

Rolfzen, a sophomore outside hitter from Papillion, Neb., earns her second career spot on the All-Big Ten team. The 2013 AVCA All-American led Nebraska in kills in the regular season with 353 (3.57 per set). She upped her average to 3.62 in conference play. Rolfzen also added 2.62 digs per set to rank second on the team and establish herself as one of the top all-around players in the conference for the second straight season.

Fien, a junior outside hitter from Bakersfield, Calif., is a first-time honoree after a breakout season. Fien was second on the team in kills with 240 (3.24 per set) and was particularly strong in conference play, posting 3.39 kills per set while hitting .303, the best mark by an NU player and third among all B1G outside hitters.

Pollmiller, a senior setter and captain from Littleton, Colo., earned All-Big Ten honorable mention for the second straight season in her two-year stint at Nebraska. Pollmiller ranked fourth in the conference in assists with 10.17 per set and ranks fourth among active NCAA Division I players in career assists with 5,067. An honorable mention AVCA All-American last season, Pollmiller also added 73 blocks (0.71 per set) in the regular season to rank fourth on the team.

The Husker volleyball team has had at least two first-team all-conference honorees every year since 1982.

ALL-BIG TEN
JOCELYNN BIRKS, Jr., OH, ILL
ABBY COLE, So., MB, MICH
Chloe Reinig, So., OH, MSU
Paige Tapp, So., MB, MINN
Kelsey Fien, Jr., OH, NEB
Kadie Rolfzen, So., OH, NEB
MICHA HANCOCK, Sr., S, PSU
NIA GRANT, Sr., MH, PSU
Haleigh Washington, Fr., MB, PSU
Annie Drews, Jr., OH, PUR
Val Nichol, Sr., S/OH, PUR
LAUREN CARLINI, So., S., WIS
Taylor Morey, Jr., L, WIS
Courtney Thomas, Sr., OH, WIS

Honorable Mention
Elizabeth McMahon, Sr., OPP, ILL
Lexi Dannemiller, Sr., S, MICH
Kori Moster, Sr., L, MSU
Daly Santana, Jr., OH, MINN
Mary Pollmiller, Sr., S, NEB
Caroline Niedospial, Jr., DS/L, NU
Taylor Sandbothe, So., MB, OSU
Taylor Sherwin, Sr., S, OSU
Ali Frantti, Fr., OH, PSU
Aiyana Whitney, Jr., OH, PSU
Haleigh Nelson, So., MB, WIS
Dominique Thompson, Sr., MB, WIS

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Brandi Donnelly, L, ILL
Caroline Knop, OH/DS, MICH
Rachel Minarick, S, MSU
ALI FRANTTI, OH, PSU
HALEIGH WASHINGTON, MB, PSU
Danielle Cuttino, MB, PUR
Kelli Bates, OH, WIS

Unanimous selections in CAPS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lauren Carlini, WIS

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Taylor Morey, WIS

SETTER OF THE YEAR
Lauren Carlini, WIS

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Haleigh Washington, PSU

COACH OF THE YEAR (COACHES AND MEDIA)
Kelly Sheffield, WIS

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES
Kathryn Polkoff, ILL
Kyndall Merritt, IND
Alex Lovell, IOWA
Emily Fraik, MD
Lindsey Lerg, MICH
Jazmine White, MSU
Daly Santana, MINN
Mary Pollmiller, NEB
Caleigh Ryan, NU
Andrea Kacsits, OSU
Lacey Fuller, PSU
KiKi Jones, PUR
Ali Schroeter, RU
Deme Morales, WIS

Big Ten Announces 2014 Postseason Volleyball Honors

Posted on December 2, 2014

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten announced its postseason volleyball awards on Tuesday, with standouts from Penn State and Wisconsin earning recognition following the conclusion of the 2014 regular season. The Badgers’ Lauren Carlini was named the Big Ten Player and Setter of the Year by a vote of the conference’s coaches, while teammate Taylor Morey was tabbed the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Penn State’s Haleigh Washington earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, while Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield was named Big Ten Coach of the Year by the conference’s coaches and media contingent.

Carlini ranked second in the Big Ten in assists (11.14) and service aces (.47) per set during conference matches, guiding Wisconsin to its fifth Big Ten Championship. She also added 2.84 digs per set in Big Ten play and tallied a team-high 14 double-doubles on the season. Carlini becomes the fourth Wisconsin player to win Player of the Year honors and the first since Lizzy Fitzgerald in 2001. She reels in Wisconsin’s first Setter of the Year honor.

Morey led the conference in digs during Big Ten play, averaging 4.97 digs per set, and becomes the first Wisconsin player to earn Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Morey collected Defensive Player of the Week honors on four occasions during the 2014 season.

Washington posted the highest hitting percentage among Big Ten players in conference play, hitting at a .462 clip. She also averaged 1.33 blocks per set and garnered three Big Ten weekly awards. Washington becomes the 12^th Nittany Lion to be named Freshman of the Year and the first since Megan Courtney in 2012.

Sheffield earned the top billing among the conference’s coaches and media for the first time after guiding Wisconsin to a 28-2 overall record and 19-1 mark in Big Ten play. In only his second year with the program, the Badgers also earned the No. 4 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Sheffield’s award marks Wisconsin’s fifth Coach of the Year honor from both the coaches and media.

Fourteen Big Ten players were tabbed All-Big Ten by the conference’s coaches, with five unanimous selections. Joining Carlini as unanimous All-Big Ten selections were Illinois’ Jocelynn Birks, Michigan’s Abby Cole and Penn State’s Micha Hancock and Nia Grant. Washington and Morey are joined on the all-conference team by Michigan State’s Chloe Reinig, Minnesota’s Paige Tapp, Nebraska’s Kelsey Fien and Kadie Rolfzen, Purdue’s Annie Drews and Val Nichol and Wisconsin’s Courtney Thomas.

Washington and teammate Ali Frantti were unanimous selections to the All-Freshman Team. Illinois’ Brandi Donnelly, Michigan’s Caroline Knop, Michigan State’s Rachel Minarick, Purdue’s Danielle Cuttino and Wisconsin’s Kelli Bates also appeared on the seven-player team.

The Big Ten also recognized 14 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, Jr., OH, ILL

ABBY COLE, So., MB, MICH

Chloe Reinig, So., OH, MSU

Paige Tapp, So., MB, MINN

Kelsey Fien, Jr., OH, NEB

Kadie Rolfzen, So., OH, NEB

MICHA HANCOCK, Sr., S, PSU

NIA GRANT, Sr., MH, PSU

Haleigh Washington, Fr., MB, PSU

Annie Drews, Jr., OH, PUR

Val Nichol, Sr., S/OH, PUR

LAUREN CARLINI, So., S., WIS

Taylor Morey, Jr., L, WIS

Courtney Thomas, Sr., OH, WIS

Honorable Mention

Elizabeth McMahon, Sr., OPP, ILL

Lexi Dannemiller, Sr., S, MICH

Kori Moster, Sr., L, MSU

Daly Santana, Jr., OH, MINN

Mary Pollmiller, Sr., S, NEB

Caroline Niedospial, Jr., DS/L, NU

Taylor Sandbothe, So., MB, OSU

Taylor Sherwin, Sr., S, OSU

Ali Frantti, Fr., OH, PSU

Aiyana Whitney, Jr., OH, PSU

Haleigh Nelson, So., MB, WIS

Dominique Thompson, Sr., MB, WIS

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

Brandi Donnelly, L, ILL

Caroline Knop, OH/DS, MICH

Rachel Minarick, S, MSU

ALI FRANTTI, OH, PSU

HALEIGH WASHINGTON, MB, PSU

Danielle Cuttino, MB, PUR

Kelli Bates, OH, WIS

Unanimous selections in CAPS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Lauren Carlini, WIS

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Taylor Morey, WIS

SETTER OF THE YEAR

Lauren Carlini, WIS

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Haleigh Washington, PSU

COACH OF THE YEAR (COACHES AND MEDIA)

Kelly Sheffield, WIS

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES

Kathryn Polkoff, ILL

Kyndall Merritt, IND

Alex Lovell, IOWA

Emily Fraik, MD

Lindsey Lerg, MICH

Jazmine White, MSU

Daly Santana, MINN

Mary Pollmiller, NEB

Caleigh Ryan, NU

Andrea Kacsits, OSU

Lacey Fuller, PSU

KiKi Jones, PUR

Ali Schroeter, RU

Deme Morales, WIS

Petteway, Shields lead Nebraska past Florida St

Posted on December 1, 2014

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Terran Petteway scored 25 points and Shavon Shields had 21 and eight rebounds as Nebraska held off a furious rally to defeat Florida State 70-65 on Monday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Nebraska led 37-21 at the half, but the Seminoles closed within one, 62-61, with 2:18 left after a pair of Aaron Thomas free throws. But a David Rivers layup and a Tarin Smith 3-pointer helped Nebraska (5-1) put Florida State away.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes scored 17 points, but made just 2-of-11 3-pointers for Florida State (3-4). Boris Bojanovsky had 10 points and added a season-high 10 rebounds.

FSU couldn’t overcome its first-half struggles, shooting just 28 percent (7-of-25) overall and going 0 for 10 from 3-point range in the first half.

The Seminoles finished the game 22 of 54 (40.7 percent), but they made just 19 of 32 free throws.

Eleven Huskers Earn All-Big Ten Honors

Posted on December 1, 2014

Eleven Nebraska players were honored by the Big Ten Conference on Monday, being named to 2014 All-Big Ten Conference football teams.

Two Huskers earned first-team All-Big Ten accolades, with three others being chosen as second-team honorees, while six players were honorable-mention all-conference choices.

Junior defensive end Randy Gregory was a first-team All-Big Ten choice by both the conference coaches and the conference media. Gregory is among the Big Ten leaders with seven sacks despite missing the majority of four games this season.

The 6-6, 245-pound Gregory had 50 total tackles, including 10 tackles for loss, while adding a team-high 16 quarterback hurries. He also blocked two field goals, broke up three passes and had an interception. This marks the second straight season Gregory has been a first-team All-Big Ten pick, making him Nebraska’s first two-time all-conference honoree on the defensive line since Ndamukong Suh in 2008 and 2009.

Gregory is joined on the coaches’ first-team squad by senior wide receiver Kenny Bell. The 6-1, 185-pound Bell led Nebraska with 717 yards on 40 receptions and his 17.9 yards per catch ranked among the conference leaders. Bell also had a team-high five touchdowns receptions, including two touchdown catches in Nebraska’s overtime victory at Iowa in the regular-season finale.

Bell became Nebraska’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yardage earlier this season. Bell was an honorable-mention selection by the conference media. This is the third straight year Bell has been honored by the Big Ten. He was a second-team pick as a sophomore in 2012 and earned honorable-mention accolades in 2013.

Senior I-back Ameer Abdullah was a second-team All-Big Ten choice by both the coaches and the media. Abdullah ranks among the top 10 nationally in rushing yards, scoring and all-purpose yards. He finished the regular season with 1,523 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns. He also became Nebraska’s career leader in all-purpose yards, while ranking second in Big Ten history in that category.

The Doak Walker Award finalist was joined on the second team by Minnesota running back David Cobb, while fellow Doak Walker finalists Melvin Gordon and Tevin Coleman occupied the two first-team spots.

Like Bell, Abdullah was honored for the third straight year. Abdullah was a first-team choice on both teams in 2013, after being a second-team All-Big Ten pick by the coaches in 2012.

Abdullah was also honored as Nebraska’s Sportsmanship Award Honoree.

Joining Abdullah in earning second-team honors were a pair of sophomore defenders. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins was named to the second team on the coaches’ listing, while safety Nate Gerry was a second-team choice by the media.

Collins is tied for the team lead with 12 tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks. The Kansas City native also ranks second on the team with 14 quarterback hurries and made 40 total tackles. Gerry led the Big Ten in interceptions in conference games with five picks in eight league games. He ranked second overall on the team with 85 tackles, including 47 solo stops and seven tackles for loss. Gerry also forced a pair of fumbles, had a fumble recovery and returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown.

Six additional Huskers earned honorable-mention all-conference accolades. Players named to the coaches’ honorable-mention list include Gerry, senior linebacker Zaire Anderson, senior guard Jake Cotton, sophomore punter Sam Foltz, junior tackle Alex Lewis and senior cornerback Josh Mitchell.

The media honorable-mention list includes Anderson, Bell, Collins, Cotton, Lewis, Mitchell and senior safety Corey Cooper. Cooper was a repeat honorable-mention choice.

All-Big Ten Selections

First Team

Randy Gregory, Jr., DE (Media, Coaches)

Kenny Bell, Sr., WR (Coaches)

Second Team

Ameer Abdullah, Sr., IB (Media, Coaches)

Maliek Collins, Soph., DT (Coaches)

Nate Gerry, Soph., S (Media)

Honorable Mention

Bell (Media)

Collins (Media)

Gerry (Coaches)

Zaire Anderson, Sr., LB (Media, Coaches)

Corey Cooper, Sr., S (Media)

Jake Cotton, Sr., G (Media, Coaches)

Sam Foltz, Soph., P (Coaches)

Alex Lewis, Jr., OT (Media, Coaches)

Josh Mitchell, Sr., CB (Media, Coaches)