A.J. RickerA.J. Ricker
Football

A.J. Ricker Named 1st-Team All-Big 12 by Coaches

Dec. 3, 2003

Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri senior center A.J. Ricker has been named 1st-Team All-Big 12 by league coaches, as announced yesterday by the Big 12 Office.

Ricker, a native of Klein, Texas, is a leader on an offensive line that has Mizzou currently ranked 7th in the nation in rushing (236.25 yards per game), and 8-4 on the season and bowl eligible for only the 3rd time since 1983. Ricker broke the school record for consecutive starts earlier this year, and enters Mizzou's bowl game having started 46 straight games. This is his first 1st-team honor, as he has stepped from 3rd team in 2001 to 2nd team in 2002.

Ricker was one of 12 Tigers to earn mention on the coaches' all-league team. Three Tigers were named to both the 2nd and 3rd teams, with five others earning honorable-mention status. Here's a look at those who were honored, along with their key statistics... 


COACHES' 1st-TEAM ALL-BIG 12
*A.J. Ricker, C (Sr.)		Has started an MU-record 46 consecutive games at center



COACHES' 2nd-TEAM ALL-BIG 12
*Rob Droege, OT (Sr.)		Also named 1st-Team Academic All-American earlier this week
*Zack Abron, TB (Sr.)		1,018 yds./13 TDs rushing; Broke MU career rushing
				(3,061 yds.) & TD (41) records
*C.J. Mosley, DT (So.)		60 tackles, including 6 sacks; Leads MU w/15 tackles for loss



COACHES' 3rd-TEAM ALL-BIG 12
*Brad Smith, QB (So.)		1,822 yds./11 TDs passing; 1,310 yds./17 TDs rushing;
				Needs 178 yds. passing to become 1st-ever player in NCAA
				history to reach 2,000 yds. passing/1,000 yards rushing twice
*Atiyyah Ellison, DT (Jr.)	67 tackles, including 12 for loss and 4 sacks;
				Has forced 2 fumbles in last 2 games
*James Kinney, LB (Jr.)		3rd in Big 12 & 17th in NCAA with 11.67 tackles per game average



COACHES' HONORABLE-MENTION ALL-BIG 12
*J.D. McCoy, TE (Sr.)		Has career highs in catches (21), yards (190) and TDs (2)
*Tony Palmer, OG (So.)		MU is ranked 7th nationally in rushing (236.25 ypg)
*Brian Smith, DE (Fr.)		Leads all NCAA freshmen in sacks (8);
				Ranks in NCAA top-20 in sacks and forced fumbles (4)
*Brandon Barnes, LB (Sr.)	1st-time LB has 106 tackles & leads team w/5 turnovers
				gained (3 fumbles/2 interceptions)
*Michael Harden, CB (Sr.)	73 tackles, including 5 for loss & 1 sack;
				Leads team w/13 passes defended

For a complete listing of All-Big 12 teams, please visit the Big 12's official website, at www.big12sports.com.