Colorado University Athletics

Wright, Crosby, Walters Honored

Wright, Crosby, Walters Honored
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BOULDER ? University of Colorado senior defensive end Abraham Wright was named a Midseason All-American on Oct. 13, and senior placekicker Mason Crosby and sophomore free safety Ryan Walters were named Big 12 Players of the Week, announced by the conference on Monday. The honored Buffs played an integral role in CU’s 30-6 victory over the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday.

 

            Wright made the CollegeFootballNews.com Midseason All-American first team on the merit of his nine sacks he has piled up so far this season, second only to Washington State’s Mkristo Bruce who has 10. Wright is also tied for 10th in the NCAA in tackles for loss. He is on pace to break the school record for sacks in a season, held by Dan McMillen who registered 15 in 1985.

 

            “It’s only midseason,” Wright said. “It’s like dangling a carrot out in front of me. It feels good, but it would feel better to get the postseason honor.” 

 

Wright represents the lone Big 12 defensive player on the first team. Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson, who broke his collarbone against Iowa State and is likely out for the remainder of the season, was the first-team pick on offense.

 

            Crosby, the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week for a conference-record eighth time, nailed all three of his field goal attempts against Texas Tech from 56, 23 and 53 yards out. He also had seven kickoffs with five of them going for touchbacks. His 56-yarder is the second-longest in the NCAA this season, and his two field goals of 50-plus yards in the game marked the third time in his career he has accomplished the feat.

 

            “It was nice to have a game like that,” Crosby said. “I finally felt like myself again and I was hitting the ball really well. It’s always nice getting these awards and being recognized, but the main thing is that we won the game.”

 

Crosby was also named a Lou Groza Award Star of the Week, an honor which he has now received five times in his career (Iowa State in ’04; CSU, Miami and Kansas State in ’05; Texas Tech ’06).  

 

            Walters, the Co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, helped the Colorado defense keep the Red Raiders off balance all day and off the scoreboard through the first three quarters. He made the first two interceptions of his career, both on third downs in CU territory.

 

            “It’s an honor to get recognized,” said Walters, who missed the previous game against Baylor with inflamed nerves in his neck. “But it was a team effort. I couldn’t have done anything without my coaches and teammates supporting me.”

 

The Buffs, who own the No. 9 defense in the nation against the run, held Texas Tech to 31 yards rushing. Texas Tech also entered the game averaging 352 yards per game through the air, but only mustered 245 against CU (101 of which came during the fourth quarter with the game out of reach).