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GREENSBORO, N.C. -
Punter Travis Baltz and defensive lineman A.J. Francis, along with offensive linemen Bennett Fulper and Paul Pinegar, were among 52 student-athletes named Wednesday to the 2010 Academic All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team.
Baltz hit both the Maryland and ACC record books with the selection. He is just the third player in school history, and one of 13 in league annals, to earn four appearances on the yearly academic team.
Francis and Pinegar were selected for the second straight year, while Fulper is a first-time honoree.
Baltz joins former Terps Ralph Lary (1977-80) and Adam Podlesh (2003-06) on the four-time honoree list. Anthony Castonzo of Boston College was also selected for the fourth time in his career this season.
To be eligible for consideration for Academic All-ACC, a player must have earned a 3.00 grade-point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during his academic career.
Maryland's four selections were tied for fourth-most in the league. Duke led the way with 13. Clemson had six and Virginia Tech five.
A two-time candidate for the Ray Guy Award (2009-10), Baltz was a four-year starter at punter. He was a nominee for 2010 Academic All-America honors and voted to the 2010 CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-America All-District II first team. He ranked fifth in the ACC in punting average (41.7) and went 14-for-18 on field goals in his first year as starting place-kicker.
It marks the 10th straight year a Maryland punter has been named to the team (also Brooks Barnard 2001-02).
Francis played nose tackle in all 13 games, including nine starts, for a defense which ranked 21st in the FBS against the run (125.5 yards per game). The sophomore ranked second on the team in tackles among defensive linemen with 44.
A 2010 honorable mention all-league choice by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA), Pinegar started all 13 games last fall, making the first six at center before moving to right tackle for the final seven. The senior, who earned a scholarship before the 2009 season, played in 36 career games, starting the final 25.
Fulper was a key performer for an offensive line which lost two starters (Justin Gilbert and Pete DeSouza) to season-ending injuries.
Fulper played in all 13 games and moved into a starting role at center against Boston College (10/23). The sophomore started the last seven games there for an offense which posted over 400 total yards in five of the last six contests.
Maryland defensive back Eric Franklin and tight end Ryan Schlothauer were also nominated for Academic All-ACC honors.
A complete list of the team click here:
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