15 Football Tigers Earn Big 12 Coaches All-Conference
11/27/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 27, 2000
COLUMBIA, Mo.- Despite a 3-8 season, the Missouri Tigers had 15 players named All-Conference by the Big 12 coaches on Friday. Mizzou had one player on each of the first three teams while 12 others earned honorable mention accolades. In addition, seven Tigers were tabbed Academic All-Big 12.
Leading the way for Mizzou is junior defensive end JUSTIN SMITH, who for the second straight year was named first team All-Big 12. Smith, who has already been tabbed an All-American by the Football Writers Association of America, led the Big 12 Conference in quarterback sacks and tackles for loss. He also became Missouri's career leader in quarterback sacks.
Senior PAT MINGUCCI, who enjoyed the best season of his career, was named to the coaches second team. The fifth-year senior nose tackle recorded 53 tackles on the season including 12 for loss. He registered three sacks on the season. Mingucci's best performance came against Nebraska when he led the Tigers with a career-high 12 tackles while going head-to-head against the Cornhuskers' All-American center Dominic Raiola.
Junior offensive guard MIKE HAYES earned third-team All-Big 12. Hayes became the vocal leader of the Missouri offense and led a young offensive line that performed extremely well during the season. Hayes played three different positions on the offensive line and led Mizzou in knockdowns while allowing just one quarterback sack. He committed just two penalties on the season.
Four offensive players and eight defensive players were named honorable mention All-Big 12 by the coaches. Representing Mizzou on offense is tight end DWAYNE BLAKLEY, offensive tackles JOE GLAUBERMAN and JUSTIN BLAND and wide receiver JUSTIN GAGE. Defensively, Missouri players include outside linebacker PAT DUFFY, defensive linemen CEDRIC HARDEN and DANNY MCCAMY, linebackers SEAN DOYLE and JAMONTE ROBINSON and defensive backs ANTOINE DUNCAN, CLARENCE JONES and JULIAN JONES.
Seven Missouri players were named Academic All-Conference. Representing Mizzou on the first team are JOHN DAUSMAN, ROB DROEGE, A.J. RICKER and CHRIS RYAN. Earning second team accolades are JUSTIN SMITH, JARED GILPIN and MARCUS CALDWELL.
