Seven Huskers Earn First-Team All-Big 12 Honors

Dallas, Texas --There may not be a Heisman Trophy winner or standouts from an undefeated squad on the team, but the fourth All-Big 12 Conference Coaches football team reflects the tremendous balance of talent and coaching throughout the "retooled" circuit.

In the closest voting since the Big 12 coaches' all-star teams began in 1996, there was a "dead heat" in the first team quarterback's balloting for the first time in Big 12 history between Eric Crouch of Nebraska and Major Applewhite of Texas.

The two standouts each contributed to their teams' march to the Big 12 Dr Pepper Football Championship with varying methods. Crouch paved the way for key Huskers' wins over Texas A&M and Kansas State with back-to-back individual career rushing days against the Aggies and Wildcats in 37-0 and 41-15 triumphs. Despite missing much of the Longhorns' 20-16 loss at Texas A&M with a stomach virus, Applewhite ended the year with 28 game, season and career passing and total offense records during the 1999 campaign.

The running backs on the first team offense included a pair of 1,000-yard gainers. Iowa State standout Darren Davis, one of three rushers in the 1990s to have three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, ended the campaign with 1,388 net yards on 287 carries with 14 TDs. Texas' Hodges Mitchell completed his first 12 games of his 1999 campaign with a team-best 1,329 yards on 248 carries to spark the Longhorns to the Big 12 South Division crown.

Defensive standout LB Mark Simoneau of Kansas State is one of the nationally-renowned members of the first unit. The All-America choice and finalist for the Butkus Award capped his career with 87 total tackles, seven quarterback sacks, 17 tackles for losses (-93 yards), and numerous game-breaking plays. He paced the Wildcats to a 35-17 win over Texas in Austin and to a 10-1 record prior to bowl invitations. That mark was not anticipated for a team which lost the heart of its 1998 offense and solid leadership from the likes of Davey O'Brien Award winner Michael Bishop and All-America kicker Martin Gramatica, among others.

After the conference as a whole saw such standouts as 1998 Heisman Trophy (also Dr Pepper Doak Walker, Walter Camp and Maxwell Awards) winner Ricky Williams of Texas, Bishop, Missouri standouts QB Corby Jones and RB Devin West, Rotary Lombardi Award winner Dat Nguyen of Texas A&M, the high level of individual play also was evidenced by eight Big 12 teams with a minimum of five victories.

Also paving the way for these team accomplishments were somewhat unsung tight end Tracey Wistrom (brother of 1996 and 1997 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year rush end Grant Wistrom-now with the St. Louis Rams of the NFL), a sterling offensive interior, and wide receivers Kwame Cavil (95 catches for 1,108 yards in his first 12 games) of Texas and Quincy Morgan (42 receptions for 1,007 yards and conference-best nine receiving TDs) of Kansas State.

The rest of the defensive unit featured All-America defensive backs Mike Brown and Ralph Brown of Nebraska in addition to DE Darren Howard, a Kansas State stalwart who forced a Big 12-most six fumbles and sparked the KSU interior throughout the year.

All-America punter Shane Lechler of Texas A&M not only helped his team upset then-No. 5 Texas, but the first team specialist set two NCAA career records. He broke Bill Smith's (Mississippi, 1983-86) national career punting average mark with a 44.6 norm (compared to 44.3 by Smith). Lechler also concluded his career with 37 games in which he averaged 40 yards punting-also a NCAA mark.

Kick return man such as NCAA recordholder David Allen (seven career punts returned for touchdowns in the 1997-99 seasons) and Colorado's Ben Kelly (28-yards-plus kickoff return average to top all NCAA kickoff runback men with 50 career tries) are the standouts in the specialty returns' area alongside Kansas State kicking standout Jamie Rheem (18-for-21 on field goals and school-high 95 points in 1999).

First Team Offense
Tight End: Tracey Wistrom, Nebraska, 6-5, 230, So., Webb City, Mo.
Offensive Line: Dominic Raiola, Nebraska, 6-2, 295, So., Honolulu, Hawai'i;Rob Riti, Missouri, 6-3, 289, Sr., Florissant, Mo.; Randall Cummins, Kansas State, 6-3, 285, Jr., Cedar Hill, Texas; Ryan Johanningmeier, Colorado, 6-7, 310, Sr., Louisville, Colo; Roger Roesler, Texas, 6-5, 315, Sr., Round Rock, Texas
Wide Receiver: Quincy Morgan, Kansas State, 6-2, 215, Jr., Garland, Texas; Kwame Cavil, Texas, 6-2, 205, Jr., Waco, Texas
Quarterback: (tie) Eric Crouch, Nebraska, 6-1, 195, So., Omaha, Neb.; Major Applewhite, Texas, 6-1, 205, So., Baton Rouge, La.
Running Back: Darren Davis, Iowa State, 5-8, 190, Sr., Miami, Fla.; Hodges Mitchell, Texas, 5-7, 190, Jr., Dallas, Texas
Placekicker: Jamie Rheem, Kansas State, 6-1, 190, Jr., Wichita, Kan.
Punt Returner: David Allen, Kansas State, 5-9, 195, Jr., Liberty, Mo.

First Team Defense
End/Outside Linebacker: Darren Howard, Kansas State, 6-4, 275, Sr., St. Petersburg, Fla.; Justin Smith, Missouri, 6-5, 256, So., Holts Summit, Mo.
Interior Line: Steve Warren, Nebraska, 6-2, 315, Sr., Springfield , Mo.; Casey Hampton, Texas, 6-1, 305, Jr., Galveston, Texas; Shaun Rogers, Texas, 6-4, 305, Jr., LaPorte Texas
Linebacker: Carlos Polk, Nebraska, 6-2, 250, Jr., Rockford, Ill.; Mark Simoneau, Kansas State, 6-0, 240, Sr., Smith Center, Kan.
Defensive Back: Mike Brown, Nebraska, 5-10, 205, Sr., Scottsdale, Ariz.; Ralph Brown, Nebraska, 5-10, 180, Sr., Hacienda Heights, Calif.;Carl Nesmith, Kansas, 6-3, 215, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.; Lamar Chapman, Kansas State, 6-0, 185, Sr., Liberal, Kan.
Punter: Shane Lechler, Texas A&M, 6-2, 220, Sr., East Bernard, Texas
Kick Returner: Ben Kelly, Colorado, 5-10, 185, Jr., Cleveland, Ohio

Second Team Offense
Tight End: Marcellus Rivers, Oklahoma State, 6-4, 225, Jr., Oklahoma City, Okla.
Offensive Line: Russ Hochstein, Nebraska, 6-3, 280, Jr., Hartington, Neb.; Leonard Davis, Texas, 6-6, 355, Jr., Wortham, Texas; Seimisi Heimuli, Texas A&M, 6-2, 303, Sr., Euless, Texas; Jonathan Gray, Texas Tech, 6-5, 357, Jr., Lubbock, Texas; Curtis Lowery, Texas Tech, 6-5, 327, Sr., Stephenville, Texas
Wide Receivers: Aaron Lockett, Kansas State, 5-7, 155, So., Tulsa, Okla.; Brandon Daniels, Oklahoma, 5-10, 207, Sr., Ada, Okla.
Quarterback: Josh Heupel, Oklahoma, 6-2, 205, Jr., Aberdeen, S.D.
Running Back: Sammy Morris, Texas Tech, 6-0, 220, Sr., San Antonio, Texas; Cortlen Johnson, Colorado, 5-9, 190, So., St. Louis, Mo.
Placekicker: Kris Stockton, Texas, 5-9, 195, Jr., Katy, Texas
Punt Returner: Bobby Newcombe, Nebraska, 6-0, 195, Jr., Albuquerque, N.M.

Second Team Defense
End/Outside Linebacker: Aaron Humphrey, Texas, 6-3, 260, Sr., Lubbock, Texas; Taurus Rucker, Texas Tech, 6-0, 252, Sr., Denison, Texas
Interior Line: Justin Bannan, Colorado, 6-3, 300, So., Fair Oaks, Calif.; Mario Fatafehi, Kansas State, 6-3, 295, Jr., Honolulu, Hawai'i.; Kris Kocurek, Texas Tech, 6-5, 290, Jr., Caldwell, Texas
Linebacker: Jashon Sykes, Colorado, 6-3, 225, So., Los Angeles, Calif.; Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma, 6-3, 226, So., Tulsa, Okla.
Defensive Back: Damen Wheeler, Colorado, 5-10, 175, Sr., Sacramento, Calif.; Jarrod Cooper, Kansas State, 6-1, 205, Jr., Pearland, Texas; Jason Webster, Texas A&M, 5-9, 178, Sr., Houston, Texas; Kevin Curtis, Texas Tech, 6-2, 195, So., Lubbock, Texas
Punter: Dan Hadenfeldt, Nebraska, 5-11, 195, Sr., Des Moines, Iowa
Kick Returner: Brandon Daniels, Oklahoma, 5-10, 207, Sr., Ada, Okla.

Third Team Offense
Tight End: Kyle Allamon, Texas Tech, 6-3, 256, Sr., Lubbock, Texas
Offensive Line: Brad Bedell, Colorado, 6-5, 310, Sr., Arcadia, Colo.; Dameon Hunt, Kansas, 6-2, 310, Sr., Gahanna, Ohio; Matt O'Neal, Oklahoma, 6-3, 262, Sr., San Marcos, Calif.; Josh Lind, Oklahoma State, 6-6, 280, Jr., St. Charles, Mo.; Bill Marsau, Iowa State, 6-5, 302, Sr., Hudson, Iowa
Wide Receivers: Javon Green, Colorado, 6-2, 195, Jr., Inglewood, Calif.; Jarrail Jackson, Oklahoma, 5-9, 193, Sr., Houston, Texas
Quarterback: Mike Moschetti, Colorado, 6-0, 195, Sr., La Mirada, Calif.
Running Back: Darrell Bush, Baylor, 5-8, 190, Jr., Jersey Village, Texas; Moran Norris, Kansas, 6-2, 245, Jr., Houston, Texas
Placekicker: Jeremy Aldrich, Colorado, 5-11, 170, Sr., Federal Heights, Colo.
Punt Returner: Terance Richardson, Oklahoma State, 5-9, 180, Sr., Dallas, Texas

Third Team Defense
End/Outside Linebacker: Fred Jones, Colorado, 6-3, 245, Sr., San Diego, Calif.; Corey Callens, Oklahoma, 6-1, 266, Jr., Jenks, Okla.
Interior Line: James Reed, Iowa State, 6-0, 277, Jr., Saginaw, Mich.; Steve Erickson, Missouri, 6-4, 280, Sr., Dallas, Texas; Ryan Fisher, Oklahoma, 6-1, 277, Jr., Arlington, Texas
Linebacker: Julius Jackson, Nebraska, 6-1, 240, Sr., Gainesville, Texas; Kenyatta Wright, Oklahoma State, 6-1, 230, Sr., Vian, Okla.
Defensive Back: Gary Baxter, Baylor, 6-1, 198, Jr., Tyler, Texas; Julian Jones, Missouri, 5-11, 188, Jr., Midwest City, Okla.; Rodney Rideau, Oklahoma, 6-1, 191, Sr., Midwest City, Okla.; Rashidi Barnes, Colorado, 6-0, 190, Sr., Berkeley, Calif.
Punter: Joey Pelfanio, Kansas, 6-1, 215, Jr., Sacramento, Calif.
Kick Returner: Jarrail Jackson, Oklahoma, 5-9, 193, Sr., Houston, Texas

Honorable Mention
Tight End: Daniel Graham, Colorado; Dwayne Blakley, Missouri
Offensive Line: Dave Volk, Nebraska; Shane Cook, Colorado; Andre Gurode, Colorado; Ryan Gerke, Iowa State; Ben Beaudet, Iowa State; Chris Enneking, Kansas; Thomas Barnett, Kansas State; ; Stockar McDougle, Oklahoma; Antwan Kirk-Hughes, Texas
Wide Receivers: Matt Davison, Nebraska; Marcus Stiggers, Colorado; Mike Chandler, Kansas; Harrison Hill, Kansas; Curtis Fagan, Oklahoma; Ethan Howell, Oklahoma State; Ryan Nunez, Texas
Quarterback: Dylan Smith, Kansas; Tony Lindsay, Oklahoma State
Running Back: Jamaal Fobbs, Oklahoma State
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker: Kyle Vanden Bosch, Nebraska; Brady McDonnell, Colorado; Reggie Hayward, Iowa State; Monty Beisel, Kansas State; ; Jaqua Thomas, Oklahoma State; Kevin Williams, Oklahoma State Interior Line: Dion Johnson, Kansas; Dion Rayford, Kansas; Jeff Marriott, Missouri
Linebacker: Kris Micheaux, Baylor; Andre LeClair, Kansas; Tim Bowers, Kansas; Ben Leber, Kansas State; Barry Odom, Missouri; Jamonte Robinson, Missouri; Jack Golden, Oklahoma; Tarrell Knauls, Oklahoma State; Dewayne Levels, Oklahoma State; D.D. Lewis, Texas; Kyle Shipley, Texas Tech
Defensive Back: Keyuo Craver, Nebraska; Dustin Avey, Iowa State; Jeff Waters, Iowa State; Andrew Davison, Kansas; ; Mike Woods, Oklahoma; Alvin Porter, Oklahoma State; Adam Edwards, Oklahoma State; Greg Brown, Texas; Anthony Malbrough, Texas Tech
Punter: Kyle Atteberry, Baylor; Jeff Ferguson, Oklahoma
Punt or Kick Return Specialist: J.J. Moses, Iowa State; John Norman, Texas Tech