Eight Terps Claim All-Big Ten Honors
12/1/2014 7:00:00 PM | Football
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Eight members of the Maryland football team earned All-Big Ten honors Monday as the conference announced its postseason awards.
Brad Craddock was named the Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year, while defensive back William Likely earned first-team honors in voting done by the conference's head coaches and 45 media members (three representing each institution and BTN).
“I'm excited to see our players recognized by the conference coaches and media for their accomplishments during our first season in the Big Ten,” said head coach Randy Edsall. “I am proud of everything they were able to achieve and this is a great testament to all the hard work and dedication they have put into preparing themselves to play at such a high level throughout the year.”
Craddock was a first-team selection by both the coaches and media following one of the most impressive seasons for a kicker in school history. The Lou Groza finalist has converted a Big-Ten leading 94.7 percent of his field goal attempts (18-of-19), the best single-season percentage in school history, including 11-of-12 from 40-plus yards. Craddock successfully converted his first 18 tries of the season and 24 straight dating back to last season to tie a Big Ten record.
Likely, also a first-team selection by both the media and coaches, leads the conference in interceptions (6) and ranks second in passes defensed (14). Of his six interceptions, Likely has returned two for touchdowns, which is tied for the most in the FBS. Likely's interception total is also the most for a Maryland player since 2001.
Stefon Diggs and Andre Monroe each earned a second team All-Big Ten spot. Diggs, a second-team selection by the coaches, ranks second in the conference in receptions (5.8 pg) and fourth in receiving yards (72.7 pg) despite missing the final three games of the season due to injury. The junior wideout totaled three 100-yard receiving performances, which is tied for the fourth most in the league, and his 130-yard effort against Iowa (Oct. 18) is the ninth-highest single-game total in the Big Ten this season. Diggs was also named an honorable mention All-Big Ten performer by the media.
A second team All-Big Ten member by the media, Monroe finished the regular season ranked second in the Big Ten with 9.5 sacks matching his total from last season. In addition, Monroe has racked up 12.0 tackles for loss, which is tied for ninth in the conference. Monroe is currently tied for the school record with 24 sacks. Monroe was also named an honorable mention All-Big Ten performer by the coaches.
Earning honorable mention all-conference honors were: Sean Davis (media), Cole Farrand (coaches and media), Darius Kilgo (media) and Yannick Ngakoue (media).
Farrand is tied for third in the conference averaging 9.2 tackles per game, while Davis is tied for fifth averaging 9.0. Kilgo has 8.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and has recovered three fumbles. Ngakoue ranks eighth in the conference with 13.0 TFL.
Center Sal Conaboy, who has started 26 consecutive games and is the president of Maryland's chapter of Uplifting Athletes, was named Maryland's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree.
Maryland's All-Big Ten Honorees
Brad Craddock: Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten (Coaches and Media)
Sean Davis: Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Media)
Stefon Diggs: Second Team All-Big Ten (Coaches), Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Media)
Cole Farrand: Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Coaches and Media)
Darius Kilgo: Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Media)
William Likely: First Team All-Big Ten (Coaches and Media)
Andre Monroe: Second Team All-Big Ten (Media), Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Coaches)
Yannick Ngakoue: Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Media)
– Maryland –
