Mesko and Graham Earn All-Big Ten Accolades
11/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- University of Michigan senior/junior punter Zoltan Mesko(Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg HS) and junior defensive end Brandon Graham(Detroit, Mich./Crockett Technical HS) have been named to the All-Big Ten Conference football teams announced tonight (Tuesday, Nov. 24) on the Big Ten Network. Mesko was named to the all-conference first team on both the coaches and media ballots and Graham earned second-team accolades from both groups. Six total Wolverines were recognized on All-Big Ten teams.
A Ray Guy Award semifinalist, Mesko leads the Big Ten and ranks 19th nationally in punting. He set Michigan records for punts (80) and punting yards (3,436) in a season and ranks sixth in season average (42.95) in the school annals. Mesko set career highs in punts of 50 yards or better (24) and punts dropped inside the opposition's 20-yard line (24). Michigan leads the league and is fifth nationally in net punting.
Graham led the Big Ten in tackles for loss and was third in the league in sacks. He posted a career-high 46 tackles, including 20 TFLs, 10 sacks and forced two fumbles. Graham is second nationally in tackles for loss (1.82 avg.) and is tied for seventh in sacks (0.91 avg.). He ranks seventh in both TFLs and sacks in U-M's single-season record book.
In addition to Mesko and Graham, four Wolverines received honorable mention accolades. Junior/sophomore linebacker Obi Ezeh(Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central HS) and senior nose tackle Terrance Taylor(Muskegon, Mich./Muskegon HS) were named honorable mention on both ballots. Junior tailback Brandon Minor(Richmond, Va./Varina HS) collected honorable mention status on the coaches ballot and fifth-year senior defensive end Tim Jamison(Riverdale, Ill./Harvey Thornton HS) received the recognition on the media ballot.
Fifth-year senior long snapper Sean Griffin(Livonia, Mich./Catholic Central HS) was named the team's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree. Griffin started all 12 games and was the team's starting long snapper for the final 25 games of his career.
Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423
