PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Senior punter Justin DuVernois and freshman wide receiver Mike Dudek both were named All-Big Ten second team on Monday, while five other Fighting Illini were honorable mention selections.
DuVernois was a second-team selection by both the media and coaches, while Dudek was a second-team pick by the media and honorable mention by the coaches. Junior cornerback V'Angelo Bentley, junior offensive lineman Ted Karras and junior linebacker Mason Monheim were honorable mention selections by both the media and coaches, while junior defensive end Jihad Ward was voted honorable mention by the league's coaches and sophomore safety Taylor Barton by the media. Senior quarterback Reilly O'Toole was Illinois' honoree for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Golden Boot
DuVernois is having one of the most prolific punting seasons in Illinois history. He ranks second in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation in punting average (44.4 ypp), which currently stands as the fourth-best punting season in school history, one yard behind record-holder Steve Weatherford's 45.4 average in 2004 campaign. For the season, DuVernois has 19 punts over 50 yards, including six over 60 yards and a long of 74. He also has had 19 punts downed inside the 20, including nine inside the opponent's 10 yard line. During his four-year career, DuVernois ranks second in school history in career punting yards (10,377), second in in career punts (249) and third in career punting average (41.67 ypp).
Super Frosh
Dudek was the Big Ten's top receiver in conference play, posting 50 catches for 716 yards (89.5 yards per game) and three touchdowns. For the season, he leads all FBS freshmen in receiving yards per game (80.4) and has broken Illinois' freshman records for receptions (69) and receiving yards (965), previously held by Freshman All-American Arrelious Benn, while tying the touchdowns mark (6) held by College Football Hall of Famer David Williams. With a bowl game likely, Dudek needs 35 yards to post the eighth 1,000-yard receiving season in school history.
Honorable Mention
» Barton is having a breakout season in 2014, ranking third on the team and ninth in the Big Ten in tackles with 96 (8.7 tpg). Had a 77-yard interception return for touchdown against Western Kentucky and also has two PBUs, two forced fumbles and a half sack this season.
» Bentley is one of the most versatile and electrifying players in the nation as the only player in Illinois history to ever record a kickoff return, punt return, interception return and fumble return for touchdown in his career. Bentley is averaging 21.6 yards per kickoff return, 10.2 yards per punt return and has 43 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, a pick-six, a PBU and two fumble recoveries (one returned for TD).
» Karras has been anchor at left guard and team-leader for the last three seasons. He missed the final three games of 2014 with a knee injury, but plans to return for his senior season in 2015 better than ever.
» Monheim leads the Illini and ranks fifth in the Big Ten in tackles with 108 (9.0 tpg), while also forcing six turnovers (four forced fumbles and two interceptions), including a game-clinching pick-six against in-state rival Northwestern. Monheim also has 6.5 TFLs, one sack, two PBUs and one fumble recovery.
» Ward, a transfer from Globe Institute of Technology, came on strong late in the season, finishing with 48 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 3.0 sacks, four QB hurries, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one PBU in his first season in Orange and Blue.
Sportsmanship Award
O'Toole, this year's sportsmanship honoree, has put the team on his back, leading the Illini to three wins in the season's final five games to clinch bowl eligibility. In those three wins, he was 49-of-74 (66.2 percent) for 422 yards and five touchdowns through the air. He also rushed for 214 yards - averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 71.3 yards per game - and one touchdown.
Going Bowling
The Fighting Illini (6-6) clinched bowl-eligibility with a 47-33 win at Northwestern on Saturday. They will find out their bowl fate on Sunday, Dec. 7. Illini fans can secure tickets and guarantee a seat within the Illinois section by placing a deposit for only $25. Updated information will be posted to the @IlliniFootball Bowl Central website as it becomes available.
