Gopher FootballPlayers Named All-Big Ten

Seven student-athletes from the Minnesota football program on defense and special teams were recognized by the coaches and media of the Big Ten Conference on Monday.

Sophomore Emmit Carpenter was named the Big Ten’s Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year and was an All-Big Ten First Team selection by the media and All-Big Ten Second Team by the coaches. Junior Steven Richardson was named All-Big Ten Third Team by both the coaches and media.

Jonathan Celestin (coaches and media), Scott Ekpe (coaches and media), Jalen Myrick (coaches and media), Jack Lynn (media) and Damarius Travis (media) were named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. Hendrick Ekpe was selected as Minnesota’s recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.

Carpenter made 21-of-23 field goals this season and 41 extra point attempts. His 21 field goals were tied for first in the Big Ten and tied for seventh in the nation. Carpenter has scored 104 points this season, which ranks second all-time for Minnesota kicker behind Dan Nystrom who tallied 109 points in 2000. His 104 points also ranks third all-time for any Gopher behind Gary Russell (114 points in 2005) and Nystrom.

Richardson made 30 tackles this season and led the Gophers with 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He also broke up one pass, forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles. He had four tackles for loss against Colorado State, which is tied with 14 other Gophers for third most in a game.

Celestin had a breakout year for the Gophers. He led Minnesota with 79 tackles, which included 52 solo stops. He also notched 7 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks, broke up four passes and forced one fumble.

Ekpe notched 16 tackles this season, which included 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Ekpe also recovered two fumbles.

Myrick tallied 38 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss this year. The speedster also notched one interception and broke up nine passes.

Lynn finished third on the team with 72 tackles and added 6.5 tackles for loss and a sack this season.

Travis was second on the Gophers with 76 tackles this year. He also contributed 5.0 tackles for loss, broke up three passes, made two interceptions and recovered one fumble.

The Big Ten’s offensive honorees are set to be announced tomorrow.

Minnesota's Big Ten Honorees
All-Big Ten First TeamEmmit Carpenter (media)

All-Big Ten Second TeamEmmit Carpenter (coaches)

All-Big Ten Third TeamSteven Richardson (coaches and media)

All-Big Ten Honorable MentionJonathan Celestin (coaches and media)
Scott Ekpe (coaches media)
Jalen Myrick (coaches and media)
Jack Lynn (media)
Damarius Travis (media)

Big Ten Sportsmanship AwardHendrick Ekpe