Five Illini Earn All-Big Ten Honors
November 26, 2002 | Football
Nov. 26, 2002
Five University of Illinois football players were named to the 2002 All-Big Ten teams, as announced by the Conference Tuesday afternoon. Senior offensive tackle Tony Pashos was the only first-team selection on the lists, earning the honor for the second straight year.
Senior offensive guard David Diehl earned his first conference honor with a second-team selection by both the coaches and media. Diehl and Pashos combined to help lead the Illini to a school-record setting total offense, which also ranked ninth in the nation. The Illini topped the 5,000-yard mark for only the second season in school history (the previous being 2001). The line also blocked and protected for Illinois' first 1,000-yard rusher and receiver combination since 1984.
Junior wide receiver Brandon Lloyd also earned second-team honors by the media for the second year in a row. He finished with his second-straight 1,000-yard season, catching 65 passes for nine touchdowns.
Senior cornerback Eugene Wilson and linebacker Jerry Schumacher became two-time All-Big Ten selections as Wilson was tabbed second team by both coaches and media and Schumacher made the media's second-team list. Schumacher led the team in tackles with his third-straight 100-tackle season. He was second in the Big Ten in total tackles with 122 and logged 12 tackles for loss. Wilson, the school's career leader in passes broken up, tallied another 14 on the season to go along with 66 tackles to lead the Illinois secondary. He intercepted only one pass in 2002 to bring his career total to 11, while forcing two fumbles and recording two sacks on the season.
Another newcomer to the list is junior defensive end Derrick Strong who earned second-team honors. Strong was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after a dominating performance over Wisconsin. He finished the season with 55 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and five sacks. He also forced two fumbles on sacks and blocked two extra points.
ILLINOIS ALL-BIG TEN SELECTIONS (by media)
First Team: Tony Pashos, offensive tackle
Second Team: Brandon Lloyd, wide receiver; David Diehl, offensive guard; Eugene Wilson, cornerback; Jerry Schumacher, linebacker; Derrick Strong, defensive end.
Honorable Mention: Bucky Babcock, offensive guard; Antoineo Harris, running back.
ILLINOIS ALL-BIG TEN SELECTIONS (by coaches)
Second Team: Tony Pashos, offensive tackle; David Diehl, offensive guard; Eugene Wilson, cornerback.
Honorable Mention: Bucky Babcock, offensive guard; Antoineo Harris, running back; Brandon Lloyd, wide receiver; Jerry Schumacher, linebacker; Walter Young, wide receiver.
