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University of Minnesota Athletics
Spaeth and VanDeSteeg Named To All-Big Ten Football Teams
11/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
The 2006 All-Big Ten football selections were announced today and two Golden Gophers were named to either the first or second team. Senior tight end Matt Spaeth was named first-team All-Big Ten by both the media and the coaches for the second consecutive season. Spaeth was also selected as one of the honorees for this year’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. Sophomore defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg was named second team All-Big Ten by the media and was an honorable-mention selection by the coaches.
Spaeth’s selection marks the third time in four seasons that a Gopher tight end has been named first-team All-Big Ten. Ben Utecht was a first-team choice by the coaches in 2003 prior to Spaeth’s selections on both first teams the past two seasons. Spaeth received honorable-mention recognition by both the coaches and media in 2004, his sophomore season.
A John Mackey and Draddy Award semifinalist, Spaeth became the school’s all-time leader in career receptions (109) and receiving yards (1,293) by a tight end, surpassing current Indianapolis Colt Ben Utecht in both categories. He also ranks ninth all-time in career receiving touchdowns with 12. Spaeth was second on the team in receptions and receiving yards in 2006, catching 47 passes for 564 yards with four touchdowns.
VanDeSteeg emerged this season by recording nine sacks, which led the team and ranks third in the Big Ten and 22nd in the nation. He was also the team leader in tackles-for losses with 13.5, ranking seventh in the Big Ten in that department. Earlier this season against Michigan State, VanDeSteeg recorded four sacks to tie Karon Riley’s school record set in 2000 against Iowa.
Three other Gophers received honorable mention recognition by either the coaches or the media.
Sophomore defensive back Dominic Jones was named honorable mention by both the coaches and the media. Senior wideout Logan Payne received honorable-mention recognition by the coaches, while Dom Barber received honorable-mention recognition by the media.
Spaeth’s selection marks the third time in four seasons that a Gopher tight end has been named first-team All-Big Ten. Ben Utecht was a first-team choice by the coaches in 2003 prior to Spaeth’s selections on both first teams the past two seasons. Spaeth received honorable-mention recognition by both the coaches and media in 2004, his sophomore season.
A John Mackey and Draddy Award semifinalist, Spaeth became the school’s all-time leader in career receptions (109) and receiving yards (1,293) by a tight end, surpassing current Indianapolis Colt Ben Utecht in both categories. He also ranks ninth all-time in career receiving touchdowns with 12. Spaeth was second on the team in receptions and receiving yards in 2006, catching 47 passes for 564 yards with four touchdowns.
VanDeSteeg emerged this season by recording nine sacks, which led the team and ranks third in the Big Ten and 22nd in the nation. He was also the team leader in tackles-for losses with 13.5, ranking seventh in the Big Ten in that department. Earlier this season against Michigan State, VanDeSteeg recorded four sacks to tie Karon Riley’s school record set in 2000 against Iowa.
Three other Gophers received honorable mention recognition by either the coaches or the media.
Sophomore defensive back Dominic Jones was named honorable mention by both the coaches and the media. Senior wideout Logan Payne received honorable-mention recognition by the coaches, while Dom Barber received honorable-mention recognition by the media.
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