Fourteen Buffs Named Academic All-Big 12

BOULDER -A total of 14 University of Colorado football players were among the 169 players league-wide that earned first- or second-team Academic All-Big 12, announced Tuesday by the Big 12 conference office. Nine Buffs earned first team selection while five earned second-team mention.

FB Jake Behrens (business), S Ben Burney (film studies), TE Patrick Devenny (business), WR Dustin Ebner (biology), DL Will Pericak (business), S Travis Sandersfeld (business), TE Devin Shanahan (economics), DB Bret Smith (civil engineering) and OT Nate Solder (biology) earned first team honors while OL David Clark (history), DL Marquez Herrod (psychology & business), LB Jon Major (business), DL Tyler Sale (environmental engineering) and TE Luke Walters (geography) were named to the second team.

To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher either cumulative or during the previous two semesters and have participated on 60 percent of their team's scheduled contests or be a senior who has participated for two or more years. First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.2 GPA or better.

FIRST TEAM CAPSULES

Behrens, a senior from Omaha, Neb., is CU's starting fullback and has played in all 11 games for the Buffs this season, compiling six receptions for 45 yards. In 32 career games, he has 19 receptions for 121 yards and three touchdowns.

Burney, a senior from Lone Tree, Colo., moved from cornerback to safety this season and has been a regular in the defensive backfield for the Buffs, compiling 62 tackles (38 solo), two interceptions, two forced fumbles and four pass break-ups. Burney was a regular starter in 2007 and then missed the '08 season due to injury. In his career he has 136 tackles, four interceptions and 12 pass break-ups.

Devenny, a senior from Roseville, Calif., has played in all 11 games and caught 11 passes for 141 yards and three touchdowns. Two of his touchdowns were spectacular catches, the first one at Texas that put the Buffs up 7-0 early in the game and the other a one-handed grab against Texas A&M with just over two minutes left in the game to secure the Buffs 35-34 victory. In 29 career games, he has 26 receptions for 258 yards and six touchdowns.

Ebner, a freshman from Arvada, Colo., has played in seven games offensively for the Buffs this season and has three catches for 15 yards.

Pericak, a freshman from Boulder, became the first freshman in CU history to start the season opener on the defensive line, and he has been a regular on the line all season. He has compiled 30 tackles (21 solo), two sacks, two fumble recoveries and a pass break-up in his first season.

Sandersfeld, a sophomore from Limon, Colo., is a star on special teams and has also worked his way into the rotation at safety as the season wore on. He has played all 11 games and compiled 44 points on special teams, second most in CU history. On defense, he has played in four games and has three tackles.

Shanahan, a senior from Highlands Ranch, Colo., has played in all 11 games this season and 22 in his career. This season he has primarily seen action on special teams on the field goal and PAT units.

Smith, a senior from Highlands Ranch, Colo., has played in seven games this season on special teams and compiled four points, all from knockdown or springing blocks during returns. He has played in 18 games in his career at CU.

Solder, a junior from Buena Vista, Colo., has been a stalwart on the offensive line this season at right tackle, playing all but one snap this season (778 of 779) and leads the Buffs with 96 finish or knockdown blocks, seven touchdown blocks and has graded out to 90 percent or more six times and 80 percent or more in all 11 games.

SECOND TEAM CAPSULES

Clark, a sophomore from Aspen, Colo., has seen action in seven games on special teams as part of the field goal and PAT units, and one game on offense along the offensive line.

Herrod, a junior from Escondido, Calif., has started all 11 games on the defensive line for the Buffs this season and leads the team with six sacks and he has also compiled 36 tackles and one forced fumble, as well.

Major, a freshman from Parker, Colo., has played in six games this season for the Buffs after recovering from a knee injury he suffered from his true freshman campaign. He has 13 tackles, four third-down stops, one quarterback pressure and one quarterback chase down.

Sale, a senior from Littleton, Colo., was a student at CU for two years and then his third season he was a Ralphie handler, helping lead CU's famous mascot onto the field every Saturday. He then joined the team the last two years where he is a back -up defensive lineman.

Walters, a senior from Lakewood, Colo., has played five games this season on the CU field goal and PAT special teams' units. Originally a transfer from New Mexico, Walters won the Iron Buffalo award for tight ends last spring for total poundage lifted in the weight room.