Three Tigers Named 1st-Team All-Big 12 by Coaches
11/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 28, 2006
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Three University of Missouri football players were named to the 2006 AT&T All-Big 12 Football Team, as announced today by the Big 12 Conference.
The team, voted on by league head coaches (who are not permitted to vote for their own players), included a trio of Mizzou standouts – senior linebacker Marcus Bacon, senior offensive tackle Joel Clinger and junior tight end Martin Rucker. It is the most 1st-Team members that MU has placed on the coaches' squad since five Tigers earned that distinction following the 1998 season.
Bacon won his first-ever all-league honor after leading the Tigers with a career-high 103 tackles, which ranked 4th in the Big 12 this season. The Houston, Texas, native recorded 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 QB sacks, and led MU in forced fumbles (5), fumbles recovered (3) and interceptions (2).
Clinger, who was an honorable mention All-Big 12 coaches' selection in 2005, jumped to the 1st-Team in 2006 as he graded out consistently as MU's top lineman. The Warrenton, Mo., native, who lines up at right tackle, was an anchor of a line that paved the way for the Tiger offense to rank 13th nationally in total offense, averaging 414.33 yards per game.
Rucker earned his honor after a regular season that saw him rank third on the squad with 47 receptions, 444 yards and five touchdowns. The St. Joseph, Mo., native is Mizzou's career record holder in receptions for a tight end, with 113 catches for 1,274 yards and 10 scores.
Four Tigers were named to the league 2nd-Team, including sophomore QB Chase Daniel and sophomore TE Chase Coffman on offense, and senior DE Brian Smith and senior S David Overstreet on defense. Seven more Tigers earned honorable mention status by league coaches, including seniors Xzavie Jackson (DE), Dedrick Harrington (LB), juniors Will Franklin (WR), Darnell Terrell (CB), Tony Temple (TB), Lorenzo Williams (DL) and sophomore Jeff Wolfert (PK)
For more team details, please visit the Big 12 Conference website.
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MIZZOU'S ALL-BIG 12 SELECTIONS
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| Name | Stats/Notes | |
|---|---|---|
FIRST TEAM |
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| Marcus Bacon (LB – Sr.) | MU-leader in tackles (103), forced fumbles (5), rec. fumbles (3) & INTs (2) | |
| Joel Clinger (OL – Sr.) | Highest-graded MU lineman on nation's 13th-ranked offense (414.33 ypg) | |
| Martin Rucker (TE – Jr.) | 47 rec., 444 yds., 5 TDs | |
SECOND TEAM |
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| Chase Coffman (TE – So.) | Big 12 TE leader with 53 catches, 555 yds., 8 TDs | |
| Chase Daniel (QB – So.) | 5th in nation in total offense (299.2 ypg); 3,197 passing yds., 27 TDs | |
| Brian Smith (DE – Sr.) | MU career QB sacks leader with 31.5; Had 7.5 in 2006 before injury | |
HONORABLE MENTION |
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| Will Franklin (WR – Jr.) | 48 rec., 829 yds., 6 TDs, 17.3 avg. per catch | |
| Dedrick Harrington (LB – Sr.) | 2nd on team w/95 tackles; added 8.0 TFLs, 3.5 QB sacks, 1 INT | |
| Xzavie Jackson (DE – Sr.) | Leads team w/12.5 TFLs & 2nd w/7.0 QB sacks & 10 QBH; 55 tackles total | |
| Tony Temple (TB – Jr.) | MU leading rusher w/173 rushes, 869 yds., 5 TDs, 5.0 avg. | |
| Darnell Terrell (CB – Jr.) | Leads MU w/7 PBU; added 58 tackles, 3.0 TFLs and 1 INT | |
| Lorenzo Williams (DL – Jr.) | MU's top interior lineman w/50 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 6.0 QB sacks & 3 rec. fumbles | |
| Jeff Wolfert (PK – So.) | MU kick scoring record of 91 pts. & 17 made FGs; 17-19 FGs, 40-40 PATs | |
