Four Spartans Earn First-Team All-Big Ten Honors on Offense

Aaron Burbridge named Receiver of the Year, Connor Cook named Quarterback of the Year.  EAST LANSING, Mich. – Four Michigan State Spartans were named to

Aaron Burbridge named Receiver of the Year, Connor Cook named Quarterback of the Year.

 

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Four Michigan State Spartans were named to the All-Big Ten First Team and a total of eight Spartans received all-conference recognition as the conference announced its offensive all-league selections and award winners on Tuesday night during a television special on BTN. The defensive and special teams awards were announced on Monday.

Two Spartans took home individual awards, as senior Aaron Burbridge was named the Richter-Howard Big Ten Receiver of the Year and fifth-year senior Connor Cook was selected the Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year. It marks the second year in a row a Spartan has won the Receiver of the Year (Tony Lippett, 2014).

Burbridge, Cook, fifth-year senior center Jack Allen and junior offensive tackle Jack Conklin were first-team selections by both the coaches and media.

Sophomore offensive guard Brian Allen landed on the second team for both the coaches and media, while junior tight end Josiah Price was a third-team pick on both teams. Fifth-year senior offensive lineman Donavon Clark was a third-team choice by the coaches and listed as honorable mention by the media, and junior wide receiver R.J. Shelton was an honorable mention choice by the coaches.

MICHIGAN STATE ALL-BIG TEN SELECTIONS – OFFENSE

 

Richter-Howard Big Ten Receiver of the Year: Aaron Burbridge

 

Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year: Connor Cook

 

Coaches

First team: Senior C Jack Allen, senior WR Aaron Burbridge, junior OTÂ Jack Conklin, senior QB Connor Cook

Second team: Sophomore OL Brian Allen

Third team: Senior OG Donavon Clark, junior TE Josiah Price

Honorable mention: Junior WR R.J. Shelton

Media

First team: Senior C Jack Allen, senior WR Aaron Burbridge, junior OTÂ Jack Conklin, senior QB Connor Cook

Second team: Sophomore OL Brian Allen

Third team: Junior TE Josiah Price

Honorable mention: Senior OG Donavon Clark

MSU ALL-BIG TEN NOTES:

Jack Allen is only the fifth Spartan offensive lineman to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors twice (Ellison Kelly, 1957-58; David Behrman, 1961-62; Joe DeLamielleure, 1971-72, Tony Mandarich, 1987-88) and just the second center (Behrman). Behrman played multiple positions on the offensive line in 1961, including center, and focused on center in 1962.

Cook is the first Spartan quarterback to win the Greise-Brees Quarterback of the Year Award since its inception in 2011 and is also the first Spartan QB be named first-team All-Big Ten since Steve Juday in 1965 and only the fifth ever in school history (Earl Morrall, 1955; James Ninowski, 1957; Dean Look, 1959; Juday, 1965). Cook was a second-team selection in 2013 and 2014.

With fifth-year senior defensive end Shilique Calhoun making the All-Big First Team on defense, a total of five Spartans garnered first-team recognition, tied for the most of any school on the coaches’ first team (Ohio State). The five first-team All-Big Ten selections are tied for the second most first-team All-Big Ten selections under Dantonio (six in 2013; five in 2014 and 2012). Since 2007, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio has helped produce 36 first-team All-Big Ten selections.

The four first-team All-Big Ten selections on offense were the most of any school in the league, and the most at Michigan State since 1978 (end Eugene Byrd; tight end Mark Brammer; offensive tackle James Hinesly, flanker Kirk Gibson). With Allen and Conklin both on the first team, it also marked the first time MSU has had two first-team All-Big Ten offensive linemen since 1990 (Jim Johnson, tackle; Eric Moten, guard).

MORE ON JACK ALLEN:

 

A tough, tenacious and versatile lineman, Allen has 77 knockdowns in 10 games this season. He started the first six games at center, but missed the Michigan and Indiana games with a lower leg injury he suffered in the Rutgers game in Week 6; he returned to the starting lineup in Week 9 vs. Nebraska. He also played at left tackle vs. Purdue and Rutgers due to injuries along the offensive line. He graded out at an All-America level in the win over Penn State on Senior Day in his last appearance at Spartan Stadium, leading the team with 10 knockdowns and also rushing for a 9-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The Hinsdale, Illinois, native led the Spartans with nine knockdowns at Ohio State as the Spartans rushed for 203 yards and ended the second-ranked Buckeyes’ 23-game winning streak. He was named the Spartan Offensive Player of the Week against Maryland and Central Michigan.

Allen, a 2014 USA TODAY first-team All-American, has played in 46 career games, including 45 starts (40 at center, five at left guard), and has only allowed three career sacks. The co-captain has registered 284.5 career knockdowns and was one of 135 semifinalists for National Football Foundation 2015 William V. Campbell Trophy (nation’s top scholar-athlete).

“Jack Allen is the heart and soul of our offense,” MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said. “He’s both tough-minded and physically tough, plus he knows all of our calls. Jack has been resilient this season, bouncing back after missing two games with an ankle injury. He’s extremely athletic and possesses outstanding strength. Jack is capable of playing any position up front.”

MORE ON AARON BURBRIDGE:

 

Burbridge, who is just the seventh Spartan to reach the 1,000-yard receiving milestone in a single-season, leads the Big Ten in receiving yards (1,158; 96.5 ypg.) and receptions (75; 6.3 pg.), figures which also rank among the FBS leaders (13th in receiving yards, 23rd in receptions). His team-high seven TDs are tied for fourth most in the conference. He has recorded seven 100-yard receiving games this season, one shy of the MSU single-season record (B.J. Cunningham, eight, 2011). He also leads the team with 282 yards after the catch (YAC) and has 21 receptions of 20-plus yards.

The 6-1, 208-pound Burbridge currently has 75 catches, third most in an MSU single-season. He needs just five receptions to set a new Spartan single-season record (79 held by Devin Thomas in 2007 and Cunningham in 2011).

“Aaron Burbridge is playing his best football as a senior,” Dantonio said. “Aaron has made big play after big play this season, and he’s certainly deserving of being selected the Receiver of the Year in the conference. He has 75 receptions for more than 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s been consistently productive, with seven 100-yard receiving games. Aaron is an electrifying player when the ball is in his hands, and he gains a lot of yards after the catch.”

Burbridge led the team with six catches for 75 yards on Senior Day vs. Penn State, including a 29-yard touchdown reception from Connor Cook in the third quarter in which he eluded several tacklers on his way into the end zone. He has led the team in receiving in 10 of 12 games this season.

Burbridge tied his career high with 10 catches and established a career high for receiving yards with 164 at Nebraska on Nov. 7; he also had a 33-yard TD catch in the third quarter. It marked Burbridge’s fourth consecutive 100-yard receiving game and his seventh of the season. His 164 receiving yards were the most ever by a Spartan wide receiver against the Huskers.

In MSU’s 27-23 win over No. 12 Michigan in Ann Arbor on Oct. 17, Burbridge hauled in nine catches for 132 yards while being matched up against All-Big Ten first-team cornerback Jourdan Lewis. Burbridge recorded a career-high 10 receptions and had 156 receiving yards in the win at Rutgers.

The Farmington Hills, Michigan, native was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after setting a career high with three touchdown catches in the win over Air Force in Week 3; he had eight receptions overall for 156 yards against the Falcons. He scored on TD grabs of 28, 32 and 21 yards from Cook. Burbridge’s first TD grab was an acrobatic reception in the corner of the end zone that was named one of the top plays of the week by several national media outlets.

Burbridge’s three TD receptions tied MSU’s single-game record (last player: B.J. Cunningham vs. Wisconsin, 2011 Big Ten Championship Game), and it also marked Burbridge’s third straight 100-yard receiving game. He topped the 100-yard receiving mark in the first half alone, with five catches for 112 yards and two TDs.

Burbridge has recorded 155 receptions for 2,074 yards and 10 TDs in 49 career games. He ranks among MSU’s all-time leaders in receptions (second with 155), 100-yard receiving games (fifth with eight) and receiving yards (11th with 2,074).

Burbridge is the third Spartan wide receiver to garner first-team All-Big Ten accolades under Dantonio (Blair White, 2009; Lippett, 2014).

MORE ON JACK CONKLIN:

 

Conklin is MSU’s first All-Big Ten First Team offensive tackle since Sean Poole in 2004. Named a midseason All-American by Sporting News, Conklin has 65.5 knockdowns in 10 games of action (missed Purdue and Rutgers games with a leg injury) and has graded out as a winner in eight of his 10 games. He has been named Spartan Offensive Lineman of the Week a team-best four times (Western Michigan, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio State).

Conklin had 8.5 knockdowns vs. Penn State in the regular-season finale as the Nittany Lions were held without a sack for the first time all season. He was a key reason why the Spartans ended Ohio State’s 23-game winning streak on Nov. 21 in Columbus, as he was named Spartan Offensive Lineman of the Week for his role in helping defeat the Buckeyes. After missing two games with a leg injury, Conklin returned to action at Michigan in Week 7 and was named the Spartan Offensive Lineman of the Week after recording 7.5 knockdowns and registering a Big Ten Championship grade.

The Plainwell, Michigan, native is in his third season as Michigan State’s starting left tackle and has recorded 235 career knockdowns. Conklin earned second-team All-Big Ten accolades last season as a sophomore.

“Jack Conklin is big, strong, quick and athletic,” Dantonio said. “He’s a two-time All-Big Ten selection, who has become a dominant left tackle. Jack is an excellent pass-blocker, but he’s also extremely physical in the run game.”

MORE ON CONNOR COOK:

 

Cook, the winningest quarterback in school history, owns a 33-4 record (.891) as the starter, including a 22-2 (.917) mark against Big Ten opponents. The 33 wins are second most among active starting quarterbacks in the NCAA FBS (Stanford’s Kevin Hogan with 34), and Cook’s .891 winning percentage is No. 1 (minimum 24 starts). Cook is 4-1 against AP Top 10 teams in his career and 7-3 against AP Top 25 opponents. His 37 career starts are tied for second (with Jeff Smoker, 2000-03) in MSU history, trailing only Cousins, who made 39 career starts from 2009-11.

“Despite all of his previous success, Connor Cook is having his best season as a senior,” Dantonio said. “His leadership has been outstanding, and he’s really showcased his playmaking ability this season. He’s at his best in the tight games. Connor is 33-4 as our starting quarterback, including a remarkable 22-2 record against Big Ten opponents.”

Cook is one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and he also earned semifinalist honors for the second year in a row from the Davey O’Brien Award (nation’s best quarterback) and the Maxwell Award (college player of the year).

Cook ranks among the Big Ten leaders in touchdown passes (tied for first with 24), passing efficiency (second with 146.7 rating), passing (third with 248.2 ypg.), and total offense (third with 254.7 ypg.). He became MSU’s all-time leader in touchdown passes after throwing four in the Nebraska game; he has 71 overall (Kirk Cousins threw 66 from 2008-11), which is tied for seventh in Big Ten history.

Cook’s last season is shaping up to be his most productive in the record book. With 24 TDs already in 2015, he is just two away from passing Cousins (25) for the most in a Spartan single-season. He established a school record by throwing for more than 300 yards in four consecutive games (367 vs. Rutgers; 328 vs. Michigan; career-high 398 vs. Indiana; 335 vs. Nebraska). His 10 300-yard passing games are tied for first in school history, along with Smoker. The four 300-yard passing games are tied for second most in an MSU single-season (record: Smoker with six in 2003). Cook is also nearing the career mark for most passing yards in school history. Cook, who is currently third with 8,793 yards, only trails Smoker (8,932) and Cousins (9,131).

The 6-4, 220-pound Cook earned his 28th career win in the victory over Purdue on Oct. 3, making him the winningest starting quarterback in school history. He passed Cousins’ school-record mark of 27 career victories (27-12 record from 2009-11).

The Hinckley, Ohio, native is ranked among MSU’s all-time leaders in touchdown passes (first with 71), total offense (first with 9,018 yards), 300-yard passing games (tied for first with 10), 200-yard passing games (second with 25), passing efficiency (third with 143.1 rating), passing yards (third with 8,793), pass attempts (third with 1,099), pass completions (third with 638), and pass completion percentage (ninth at .581).

Among active NCAA FBS quarterbacks, Cook ranks among the leaders in touchdown passes (sixth with 71), passing yards (eighth with 8,793), total offense (10th at 9,018 total yards), passing yards per game (22nd at 214.5 ypg.) and passing efficiency (26th with 143.2 rating).

Cook posted his seventh 200-yard passing game of the season and 25th of his career, hitting 19-of-26 throws for 248 yards and three touchdowns against Penn State on Senior Day in his final appearance at Spartan Stadium. He completed passes to seven different receivers, including TD strikes of 29 yards to Shelton, 29 yards to Burbridge and 6 yards to Price. With 243 total yards vs. PSU, Cook set MSU’s career record for total offense (9,018 yards; previous record – 9,004 yards by Cousins, 2008-11). He became the school’s all-time leader in total offense with his 16-yard completion to Shelton early in the fourth quarter.

Cook had his school-record streak of 36 consecutive starts snapped as he sat out the Ohio State game on Nov. 21 (shoulder).

Cook tied a career high with four touchdown passes at Nebraska to set a new Michigan State career record with 68, passing Cousins. Cook completed 23-of-37 passes for 335 yards and one interception along with his four TDs, and set a school record with his fourth straight 300-yard passing game (367 vs. Rutgers; 328 vs. Michigan; 398 vs. Indiana; 335 vs. Nebraska). He also tied Smoker for the most 300-yard passing games in a career with 10.

After setting a school record with 416 yards of total offense and throwing for a career-high 398 yards in Michigan State’s 52-26 win over Indiana in Week 8, Cook was named the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career. Cook also set career highs for pass completions (30) and pass attempts (52) against the Hoosiers and tied his career best with four touchdown passes. He produced some of the top single-game passing totals in school history: completions (tied for sixth with 30), pass attempts (sixth with 52), passing yards (second with 398) and TD passes (tied for second with 4). The 398 passing yards were just two shy of MSU’s single-game record (Bill Burke, 400, vs. Michigan in 1999).

Cook became just the second Spartan starting quarterback to defeat Michigan three consecutive times (Cousins, 2009-11) in MSU’s 27-23 triumph at Michigan Stadium in Week 7. He threw his 60th career touchdown pass with a 30-yard pass to Macgarrett Kings Jr. in the third quarter and completed 18-of-39 passes overall for 328 yards. It marked Cook’s fifth fourth-quarter comeback for the Spartans (2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl vs. TCU; 2013 vs. Ohio State in Big Ten Championship Game; 2014 Rose Bowl vs. Stanford; 2015 Cotton Bowl vs. Baylor; 2015 vs. Michigan).

Cook threw for 367 yards – the fifth-highest total in school history – and two touchdowns in the win at Rutgers in Week 6. His showing against the Scarlet Knights was named one of the “Great 8” performances of the week by the Davey O’Brien Award. With the score tied at 24 with 4:16 to play, Cook engineered a 10-play, 76-yard game-winning touchdown drive to lead MSU to a 31-24 win. His 29-yard completion on third-and-9 from the MSU 25 to Shelton kept the drive alive and led to LJ Scott’s 3-yard TD run with 43 seconds remaining in the game.

In MSU’s 35-21 victory over Air Force on Sept. 19, Cook matched his career high with four touchdown passes and was 15-of-23 passing for 247 yards. He connected three times for scores with Burbridge, who tied MSU’s single-game touchdown reception record against the Falcons and was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.

Cook completed 20-of-32 throws for 192 yards and two touchdowns in the 31-28 win over then-No. 7 Oregon on Sept. 12 in Spartan Stadium. Cook improved his record to 4-1 as the starting quarterback at MSU against teams ranked in The Associated Press Top 10, which ranks tied for second most in school history (Steve Juday: six wins from 1963-65; Bill Burke: four wins from 1998-99).

 

BRIAN ALLEN (So., OG):

A second-team pick by the coaches and media, Allen has seen action in all 12 games, including 10 starts (eight at left guard; two at center). He has collected 82.5 knockdowns this season, second most on the team.

“Brian Allen is quick, strong, tough and physical,” Dantonio said. “He’s athletic enough to contribute at either guard or center. Brian has had a solid sophomore season as a first-year starter. He has an extremely bright future.”

In his last game, Allen started at left guard vs. Penn State and graded out on an All-America level, leading the team with three dominators and 7.5 knockdowns against the Nittany Lions. He started two games at center (Week 7 vs. Michigan, Week 8 vs. Indiana) at center, filling in for his brother, Jack, before returning to left guard in Week 9 vs. Nebraska. In his first career start at center, he collected 7.5 knockdowns against the Wolverines. Allen recorded a season-high 10 knockdowns vs. Central Michigan, including three dominators.

DONAVON CLARK (Sr.-5, OG)

 

Clark picks up the first All-Big Ten recognition of his career by landing on the coaches’ third team. He also was honorable mention by the media.

One of the most versatile lineman on the team, Clark has started all 12 games (eight at right guard; four at right tackle) in 2015 and owns a team-high 83.5 knockdowns. He has been named Spartan Offensive Lineman of the Week twice (vs. Oregon and Purdue). Clark started the first two games at right guard, then started four straight games at right tackle before returning to right guard in Week 7 at Michigan. The native of Cincinnati, Ohio, has seen action in 45 career games, including 31 starts (16 at right guard, nine at right tackle, six at left tackle).

“Like many of our seniors, Donavon Clark is having a great year,” Dantonio said. “He’s been a fixture on the offensive line for the last three years, and he’s capable of playing winning football at either guard our tackle. Donavon is an outstanding competitor, who’s extremely physical at the point of attack.”

Clark was selected Spartan Offensive Lineman of the Week after recording a Big Ten Championship grade in his performance vs. Purdue, including a team-high 11 knockdowns. He also was named Spartan Offensive Lineman of the Week after playing both guard and tackle on the right side in the win over No. 7 Oregon and grading out at a Big Ten Championship level; he recorded six knockdowns against the Ducks.

JOSIAH PRICE (Jr., TE)

 

A third-team selection by both the coaches and media, Price leads the Spartan tight ends and ranks fourth on the team in receptions (18) and receiving yards (215) in 10 games (did not play in Week 5 vs. Purdue or Week 6 vs. Rutgers due to ankle injury). His six TD catches are second most on the team. Fourteen of his 18 receptions have resulted in either a touchdown or first down.

Price has the most career touchdown receptions (16) of any tight end in Michigan State history, which also ranks seventh among all players. He set the record with his 14th career TD catch against Central Michigan on Sept. 26.

Price, who owns a 3.59 grade-point average as a hospitality business major, was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District 5 Team. The Greentown, Indiana, native has 61 career receptions for 799 yards in 37 games.

“Josiah Price has performed at a consistently high level,” Dantonio said. “He’s a talented all-around player, with big-play ability. Josiah is extremely sure-handed, runs good routes and blocks well at the point of attack. He’s a versatile tight end who’s equally effective in a stationary position or on the move.”

R.J. SHELTON (Jr., WR)

Shelton, an honorable mention choice by the coaches, ranks second on the team with a career-high 38 receptions and is third in receiving yards (450; 11.8 avg.; 37.5 ypg.). He also ranks second on the team in all-purpose yards (959; 79.9 ypg.).

Shelton had a game-high 153 all-purpose yards vs. Indiana and tied a career high with six receptions for a career-best 76 yards, including his first career multiple touchdown game (22-yard catch in first quarter; 10-yard reception in fourth quarter). He was named the Spartan unsung hero of the week on offense vs. Rutgers after hauling in five catches for 55 yards in the win over the Scarlet Knights, including a leaping 29-yard reception on third-and-9 from the MSU 25-yard line with under four minutes remaining that kept the Spartans’ eventual game-winning drive alive in the 31-24 victory.

The Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, product has collected 2,431 all-purpose yards (64.0 ypg.) and has scored 11 touchdowns (six receiving, four rushing, one kick return) in 38 career games, including 10 starts.