Suh, Slauson Named Second-Team All-Big 12

Nebraska junior nose tackle Ndamukong Suh and senior offensive guard Matt Slauson have been chosen as second-team All-Big 12 as voted on by the conference’s head coaches. Suh and Slauson lead a group of nine Huskers honored by the conference, including seven players who earned honorable-mention honors.

                                                                       

Suh led Nebraska in tackles with 68 total stops and his 5.7 tackles per game was tops among Big 12 defensive linemen. The Portland, Ore., native registered a team-leading 15 tackles for loss, including 5.5 sacks for 48 yards in losses. Suh also had a pair of interceptions this season, returning both for touchdowns. He also saw action on offense at fullback, and scored a third touchdown on a two-yard TD reception against Kansas.

                                                                              

Slauson was the leader of a Nebraska offensive line that has paved the way for the Huskers to rank among the nation’s top 20 in rushing offense, total offense and scoring offense. Slauson and his fellow offensive linemen have been a key part of an improved Nebraska rushing game that has averaged better than 200 yards over the second half of the season. The third-year starter also played a key role in quarterback Joe Ganz setting NU single-season records for passing yards, passing completions, completion percentage and total offense.

 

Three Husker offensive players, three defenders and place-kicker Alex Henery all earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors.

 

Henery tied for the top field-goal percentage in the Big 12 by connecting on 14-of-17 field goals this season. Henery made six field goals of more than 40 yards and two of his three misses came from beyond 50 yards. He had two games with four field goals, including the season finale against Colorado when he connected on a Nebraska record 57-yarder to provide the decisive points in a 40-31 victory.

 

On the offensive side of the ball, sophomore I-back Roy Helu Jr. was rewarded for his outstanding play over the second half of the year. Helu Jr. leads the Huskers with 804 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. He has posted three 100-yard outings in the past four games, including a career-high 166 yards against Colorado. Senior wide receiver Nate Swift is among the Big 12 Conference leaders with 60 receptions for 909 yards and nine touchdowns. This season, Swift also became Nebraska’s all-time receptions leader and is in position to move to the top of the season and career receiving yardage lists. Swift also was named to the team as a punt returner. Center Jacob Hickman was the second Husker offensive lineman to earn recognition from the Big 12. Hickman was one of only two Husker linemen to start all 12 games this season after making the transition from guard in his sophomore campaign.

 

Defensively, safety Larry Asante, defensive tackle Ty Steinkuhler and defensive end Zach Potter each picked up honorable-mention honors. Asante ranks second on the team in tackles with 64 total stops, including 44 solo tackles. This marks the second straight season he has earned honorable-mention recognition. Steinkuhler posted 42 tackles and six tackles for loss and played a key role in the Nebraska run defense allowing 107 fewer yards per game than during the 2007 campaign. Potter tied for the team lead with 5.5 sacks for 44 yards and was second to Suh with 14 tackles for loss totaling 50 yards. He also intercepted two passes, broke up six others and blocked three kicks.

 

Nebraska Selections to All-Big 12 Team

Second Team: Matt Slauson, Sr., OG, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Ndamukong Suh, Jr., NT, Portland, Ore.

Honorable-Mention: Larry Asante, Jr., S, Alexandria, Va.; Roy Helu Jr., Soph., IB, Danville, Calif.; Alex Henery, Soph., PK, Omaha, Neb.; Jacob Hickman, Jr., C, Bakersfield, Calif.; Zach Potter, Sr., DE, Omaha, Neb.; Ty Steinkuhler, Sr., DT, Lincoln, Neb.; Nate Swift, Sr., WR/PR, Hutchinson, Minn.