Eastern Michigan Athletics
Six Eagles Named To the Academic All-MAC Football Team
1/13/2012 12:25:00 PM | Football
Six EMU student-athletes named to the 35-member team
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University football players Alex Gillett (Green Springs, Ohio- Clyde), Austin Karcher (Saline, Mich.-Fellowship Christian (Ga.)-Defiance), Jay Karutz (North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia-Holy Cross College), Andy Mulumba (Montreal, Quebec, Canada-Vieux Montreal), Marlon Pollard (Pomona, Calif.-Cajon-UCLA) and Willie Williams (Los Angeles, Calif.-Dorsey-Glendale J.C.) were named to the 2011 Academic All-MAC Team by the Mid-American Conference Friday morning, Jan. 13.
A total of 35 student-athletes were named to the 2011 team.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.
Gillett, who holds a 3.43 GPA as a biology major, rushed for 61.33 yards per game ranking 91st nationally and 11th in the MAC. Gillett was ninth in the MAC in total offense and eighth in pass efficiency, while going 109-for-198 and passing for 1,504 yards and 14 TDs. He ran the ball a team-high 169 times for 736 yards and three TDs. In the Eagles victory over Buffalo Gillett completed 10-of-15 passes for a career-best 234 yards and four touchdowns (Nov. 12). The four scoring completions equaled a career-best set against Ball State (Nov. 5).
The Green Springs, Ohio native, Gillett was named the MAC's Male Scholar Athlete of the Week once on Nov. 17. The junior led the team with 126 yards rushing on 18 carries against BSU, as the Green and White tallied a season-best 501 total yards of offense. It was the second consecutive year the quarterback was named to the Academic All-MAC Team.
Karcher, who boasts a 3.98 GPA as a physical education major, was named to the Academic All-MAC Team for the first time in his career. Karcher was the Eagles' holder and backup quarterback. He helped EMU to 27-of-30 extra points and 14-of-21 field goals. He did not have a snap dropped or have a field goal blocked.
Karutz, who sports a 3.93 GPA in individualized studies, was named a candidate for the Ray Guy Award, bestowed upon the nation's best punter. He boasted a per-punt average of 38.8 yards, an average that was tied for the 13th best in EMU single-season history. The North Ryde, New South Wales native had 26 punts that landed inside the 20-yard line and had 12 punts of 50 yards or better including a career long 62-yard punt against Western Michigan University, Oct. 22. The junior recorded just three touchbacks and ranked eighth in the MAC in yards per punt and 81st nationally.
Mulumba, who holds a 3.60 GPA as a management major, started all 12 games for the Eagles and 19 in his career. He recorded 51 tackles (19 solo, 32 assists) to go along with 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups. The junior finished with the fourth most tackles for loss on the team with 7.5 for 41 yards and ranked 19th in the MAC in sacks.
Pollard boasts a 3.76 GPA as a communications major. He was a third team All-MAC selection in 2011after starting 11 of the 12 games for the Eagles and notching 54 tackles (37 solo, 17 assists) to go along with 2.0 tackles-for-loss, seven pass breakups and one interception. The defensive back ranked 12th in the MAC in passes defended after being named 2011 Preseason All-MAC by Phil Steele. The Pomona, Calif. native also ranked sixth in the MAC in punt returns and 45th nationally at 5.33 yards per return.
Williams, who recorded a 3.23 GPA in communications and theatre arts, started all 12 games for the Eagles in the secondary and posted 82 tackles (33 solo, 49 assists) to go along with 8.0 tackles-for-loss, three pass breakups and one quarterback hurry. The Los Angeles, Calif. native recorded 8.0 tackles for a loss of 22 yards and 10-or-more tackles in three games, including contests at Toledo, Oct. 8, and Central Michigan, Oct. 15. The senior ranked 22nd in the MAC in tackles and 23rd in tackles-for-loss.
Lincoln Hansen (Omaha, Neb.-Millard North), Scott MacLeod (Sterling Heights, Mich.-DeLaSalle), Bobby McFadden (Flint, Mich.-Carman-Ainsworth), Javon Reese (Ft. Wayne, Ind.-Southside), Julius Shelby (Bellwood, Ill.-Proviso West) and Dominique Sherrer (Cincinnati, Ohio-Colerain) each picked up honorable mention All-MAC Academic Team honors.
The announcement follows a 2011 fall semester that saw the football team achieve an all-time team record with its 2.712 team grade point average. The team GPA, reflecting 101 student-athletes enrolled in classes, is an all-time high for the Eagles football program.
The previous best semester GPA for the squad was 2.559 in winter of 2009.
Fourty-three of the players (43 percent) achieved a 3.0 or better for the term. Additionally, 41 players posted a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, as the program boasted a cumulative GPA of 2.797.
The Eagles' success in the classroom follows a record-setting season on the field. The team finished the 2011 season with a 6-6 overall mark and a 4-4 record in Mid-American Conference play, snapping a 15-year streak of losing seasons. Head Coach Ron English's team finished nationally in the top 50 statistically in seven categories to go along with eight top five rankings in the MAC standings. English was named Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year for his efforts.
Offensively, Eastern Michigan rushed for 2,620 yards and 16 touchdowns on 575 carries for the 14th-best ground attack in the nation. The total was the second most in program history trailing only the 1987 team that captured the 1987 Mid-American Conference title by running the ball 610 times for a total of 2,701 yards. It marked just the second time in school history that the Eagles rushed for more than 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.
Defensively, EMU ranked 34th nationally and third in the MAC in total defense. The Eagles gave up just 350.33 yards per game, an improvement of 103.8 yards per contest. Additionally, the team averaged nearly six tackles for loss per game, the squad's highest total since 2001 when they had 82.
2011 Academic All-MAC
&Alex Gillett, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.43 GPA, Biology (Green Springs, Ohio)
Austin Karcher, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.98 GPA, Physical Education (Saline, Mich.)
Jay Karutz, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.93 GPA, Individualized Studies (North Ryde, New South Wales)
Andy Mulumba, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.60 GPA, Management (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Marlon Pollard, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.76 GPA, Communication (Pomona, Calif.)
Willie Williams, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.23 GPA, Communication & Theatre Arts (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Nico Caponi, Akron, Sophomore, 3.56 GPA, Civil Engineering (Sandusky, Ohio)
Jordan Hansel, Ball State, Sophomore, 3.26 GPA, Communication Studies (Covington, Ky.)
& Scott Kovanda, Ball State, Junior, 3.90 GPA, Finance (Hartland, Mich.)
&@Briggs Orsbon, Ball State, Senior, 4.00 GPA, Finance and Risk Management (Convoy, Ohio)
Alex Neutz, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.49 GPA, Management (Grand Island, N.Y.)
Colby Way, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.73 GPA, Computer Engineering (State College, Pa.)
Brian Bennyhoff, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.97 GPA, Accounting (Saline, Mich.)
&Mike Petrucci, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.71 GPA, Mathematics (Milford, Mich.)
Ryan Radcliff, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.48 GPA, Accounting (Sherwood, Ohio)
&Cody Wilson, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.75 GPA, Marketing (Rochester Hills, Mich.)
& Spencer Keith, Kent State, Junior, 3.82 GPA, Mathematics (Pre-Med), (Little Rock, Ark.)
Matt Rinehart, Kent State, Senior, 3.43 GPA, Nursing (Dover, Ohio)
&@ Jacquise Terry, Kent State, Senior, 3.55 GPA, Aeronautics (Phenix City, Ala.)
Anthony Kokal, Miami, Senior, 3.23 GPA, Accountancy (Warren, Ohio)
Mason Krysinski, Miami, Junior, 4.00 GPA, Chemistry (Shelby Township, Mich.)
&@# Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois, Senior, 4.00 GPA, Graduate - Business Administration (Bluffton, Ind.)
& Nabal Jefferson, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.78 GPA, Accountancy (Chicago, Ill.)
Ryan Neir, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.94 GPA, Finance (Roscoe, Ill.)
Keith Otis, Northern Illinois, Senior, 4.00 GPA, Graduate – Sports Management (Chicago, Ill.)
& Joe Pawlak, Northern Illinois, Senior, 3.36 GPA, Sociology/Criminology (Grayslake, Ill.)
Matt Weller, Ohio, Junior, 3.21 GPA, Engineering (Twinsburg, Ohio)
Ryan Alderman, Temple, Sophomore, 3.54 GPA, Business (Downington, Pa.)
Ryan Casano, Toledo, Senior, 3.89 GPA, Law (Dripping Springs, Texas)
Zac Kerin, Toledo, Sophomore, 3.55 GPA, Civil Engineering (Delaware, Ohio)
& Dan Molls, Toledo, Junior, 3.58 GPA, Exercise Science (North Royalton, Ohio)
& Mike VanDerMeulen, Toledo, Senior, 3.39 GPA, Human Resource Management (Marshall, Mich.)
&@ Ben Armer, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.56 GPA, Exercise Science (Janesville, Wisc.)
&@ John Potter, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.98 GPA, Business Finance (Grand Haven, Mich.)
& Mitch Zajac, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.69 GPA, Mechanical Engineering (Holt, Mich.)
&2010 Academic All-MAC selection
@2009 Academic All-MAC selection
#2008 Academic All-MAC selection
Honorable Mention
Lincoln Hansen, Eastern Michigan
Scott MacLeod, Eastern Michigan
Bobby McFadden, Eastern Michigan
Javon Reese, Eastern Michigan
Julius Shelby, Eastern Michigan
Dominique Sherrer, Eastern Michigan
Zac Kasparek, Akron
Troy Gilmer, Akron
Armand Dehaney, Ball State
Zane Fakes, Ball State
Ryan Hartke, Ball State
Kreg Hunter, Ball State
Tony Martin, Ball State
Andrew Puthoff, Ball State
Connor Ryan, Ball State
Keith Wenning, Ball State
Tyler Beck, Bowling Green
Ben Bojicic, Bowling Green
Dominic Flewellyn, Bowling Green
Ronnie Goble, Bowling Green
Cory Johnson, Bowling Green
Gabe Martin, Bowling Green
DeVon McKoy, Bowling Green
Ben Brown, Central Michigan
Brandon Fricke, Central Michigan
Richie Hogan, Central Michigan
Mike Kinville, Central Michigan
Kenny McClendon, Central Michigan
Tim Phillips, Central Michigan
Mike Repovz, Central Michigan
Brad Bednar, Miami
Pat Hinkel, Miami
Jason Semmes, Miami
Joseph Williams, Miami
Alan Baxter, Northern Illinois
Adam Kiel, Northern Illinois
Matt Krempel, Northern Illinois
Pat McAvoy, Northern Illinois
JD Bales, Ohio
Nathan Carpenter, Ohio
Brad Fain, Ohio
Jeff King, Ohio
Josh Kristoff, Ohio
Derek Roback, Ohio
Jordan Thompson, Ohio
A.J. Lindeman, Toledo
Greg Mancz, Toledo
Ben Pike, Toledo
Jared Strait, Toledo
Matt Wall, Toledo
Brian Fields, Western Michigan
Kirk Nakama, Western Michigan
A total of 35 student-athletes were named to the 2011 team.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.
Gillett, who holds a 3.43 GPA as a biology major, rushed for 61.33 yards per game ranking 91st nationally and 11th in the MAC. Gillett was ninth in the MAC in total offense and eighth in pass efficiency, while going 109-for-198 and passing for 1,504 yards and 14 TDs. He ran the ball a team-high 169 times for 736 yards and three TDs. In the Eagles victory over Buffalo Gillett completed 10-of-15 passes for a career-best 234 yards and four touchdowns (Nov. 12). The four scoring completions equaled a career-best set against Ball State (Nov. 5).
The Green Springs, Ohio native, Gillett was named the MAC's Male Scholar Athlete of the Week once on Nov. 17. The junior led the team with 126 yards rushing on 18 carries against BSU, as the Green and White tallied a season-best 501 total yards of offense. It was the second consecutive year the quarterback was named to the Academic All-MAC Team.
Karcher, who boasts a 3.98 GPA as a physical education major, was named to the Academic All-MAC Team for the first time in his career. Karcher was the Eagles' holder and backup quarterback. He helped EMU to 27-of-30 extra points and 14-of-21 field goals. He did not have a snap dropped or have a field goal blocked.
Karutz, who sports a 3.93 GPA in individualized studies, was named a candidate for the Ray Guy Award, bestowed upon the nation's best punter. He boasted a per-punt average of 38.8 yards, an average that was tied for the 13th best in EMU single-season history. The North Ryde, New South Wales native had 26 punts that landed inside the 20-yard line and had 12 punts of 50 yards or better including a career long 62-yard punt against Western Michigan University, Oct. 22. The junior recorded just three touchbacks and ranked eighth in the MAC in yards per punt and 81st nationally.
Mulumba, who holds a 3.60 GPA as a management major, started all 12 games for the Eagles and 19 in his career. He recorded 51 tackles (19 solo, 32 assists) to go along with 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups. The junior finished with the fourth most tackles for loss on the team with 7.5 for 41 yards and ranked 19th in the MAC in sacks.
Pollard boasts a 3.76 GPA as a communications major. He was a third team All-MAC selection in 2011after starting 11 of the 12 games for the Eagles and notching 54 tackles (37 solo, 17 assists) to go along with 2.0 tackles-for-loss, seven pass breakups and one interception. The defensive back ranked 12th in the MAC in passes defended after being named 2011 Preseason All-MAC by Phil Steele. The Pomona, Calif. native also ranked sixth in the MAC in punt returns and 45th nationally at 5.33 yards per return.
Williams, who recorded a 3.23 GPA in communications and theatre arts, started all 12 games for the Eagles in the secondary and posted 82 tackles (33 solo, 49 assists) to go along with 8.0 tackles-for-loss, three pass breakups and one quarterback hurry. The Los Angeles, Calif. native recorded 8.0 tackles for a loss of 22 yards and 10-or-more tackles in three games, including contests at Toledo, Oct. 8, and Central Michigan, Oct. 15. The senior ranked 22nd in the MAC in tackles and 23rd in tackles-for-loss.
Lincoln Hansen (Omaha, Neb.-Millard North), Scott MacLeod (Sterling Heights, Mich.-DeLaSalle), Bobby McFadden (Flint, Mich.-Carman-Ainsworth), Javon Reese (Ft. Wayne, Ind.-Southside), Julius Shelby (Bellwood, Ill.-Proviso West) and Dominique Sherrer (Cincinnati, Ohio-Colerain) each picked up honorable mention All-MAC Academic Team honors.
The announcement follows a 2011 fall semester that saw the football team achieve an all-time team record with its 2.712 team grade point average. The team GPA, reflecting 101 student-athletes enrolled in classes, is an all-time high for the Eagles football program.
The previous best semester GPA for the squad was 2.559 in winter of 2009.
Fourty-three of the players (43 percent) achieved a 3.0 or better for the term. Additionally, 41 players posted a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, as the program boasted a cumulative GPA of 2.797.
The Eagles' success in the classroom follows a record-setting season on the field. The team finished the 2011 season with a 6-6 overall mark and a 4-4 record in Mid-American Conference play, snapping a 15-year streak of losing seasons. Head Coach Ron English's team finished nationally in the top 50 statistically in seven categories to go along with eight top five rankings in the MAC standings. English was named Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year for his efforts.
Offensively, Eastern Michigan rushed for 2,620 yards and 16 touchdowns on 575 carries for the 14th-best ground attack in the nation. The total was the second most in program history trailing only the 1987 team that captured the 1987 Mid-American Conference title by running the ball 610 times for a total of 2,701 yards. It marked just the second time in school history that the Eagles rushed for more than 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.
Defensively, EMU ranked 34th nationally and third in the MAC in total defense. The Eagles gave up just 350.33 yards per game, an improvement of 103.8 yards per contest. Additionally, the team averaged nearly six tackles for loss per game, the squad's highest total since 2001 when they had 82.
2011 Academic All-MAC
&Alex Gillett, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.43 GPA, Biology (Green Springs, Ohio)
Austin Karcher, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.98 GPA, Physical Education (Saline, Mich.)
Jay Karutz, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.93 GPA, Individualized Studies (North Ryde, New South Wales)
Andy Mulumba, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.60 GPA, Management (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Marlon Pollard, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.76 GPA, Communication (Pomona, Calif.)
Willie Williams, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.23 GPA, Communication & Theatre Arts (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Nico Caponi, Akron, Sophomore, 3.56 GPA, Civil Engineering (Sandusky, Ohio)
Jordan Hansel, Ball State, Sophomore, 3.26 GPA, Communication Studies (Covington, Ky.)
& Scott Kovanda, Ball State, Junior, 3.90 GPA, Finance (Hartland, Mich.)
&@Briggs Orsbon, Ball State, Senior, 4.00 GPA, Finance and Risk Management (Convoy, Ohio)
Alex Neutz, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.49 GPA, Management (Grand Island, N.Y.)
Colby Way, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.73 GPA, Computer Engineering (State College, Pa.)
Brian Bennyhoff, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.97 GPA, Accounting (Saline, Mich.)
&Mike Petrucci, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.71 GPA, Mathematics (Milford, Mich.)
Ryan Radcliff, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.48 GPA, Accounting (Sherwood, Ohio)
&Cody Wilson, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.75 GPA, Marketing (Rochester Hills, Mich.)
& Spencer Keith, Kent State, Junior, 3.82 GPA, Mathematics (Pre-Med), (Little Rock, Ark.)
Matt Rinehart, Kent State, Senior, 3.43 GPA, Nursing (Dover, Ohio)
&@ Jacquise Terry, Kent State, Senior, 3.55 GPA, Aeronautics (Phenix City, Ala.)
Anthony Kokal, Miami, Senior, 3.23 GPA, Accountancy (Warren, Ohio)
Mason Krysinski, Miami, Junior, 4.00 GPA, Chemistry (Shelby Township, Mich.)
&@# Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois, Senior, 4.00 GPA, Graduate - Business Administration (Bluffton, Ind.)
& Nabal Jefferson, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.78 GPA, Accountancy (Chicago, Ill.)
Ryan Neir, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.94 GPA, Finance (Roscoe, Ill.)
Keith Otis, Northern Illinois, Senior, 4.00 GPA, Graduate – Sports Management (Chicago, Ill.)
& Joe Pawlak, Northern Illinois, Senior, 3.36 GPA, Sociology/Criminology (Grayslake, Ill.)
Matt Weller, Ohio, Junior, 3.21 GPA, Engineering (Twinsburg, Ohio)
Ryan Alderman, Temple, Sophomore, 3.54 GPA, Business (Downington, Pa.)
Ryan Casano, Toledo, Senior, 3.89 GPA, Law (Dripping Springs, Texas)
Zac Kerin, Toledo, Sophomore, 3.55 GPA, Civil Engineering (Delaware, Ohio)
& Dan Molls, Toledo, Junior, 3.58 GPA, Exercise Science (North Royalton, Ohio)
& Mike VanDerMeulen, Toledo, Senior, 3.39 GPA, Human Resource Management (Marshall, Mich.)
&@ Ben Armer, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.56 GPA, Exercise Science (Janesville, Wisc.)
&@ John Potter, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.98 GPA, Business Finance (Grand Haven, Mich.)
& Mitch Zajac, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.69 GPA, Mechanical Engineering (Holt, Mich.)
&2010 Academic All-MAC selection
@2009 Academic All-MAC selection
#2008 Academic All-MAC selection
Honorable Mention
Lincoln Hansen, Eastern Michigan
Scott MacLeod, Eastern Michigan
Bobby McFadden, Eastern Michigan
Javon Reese, Eastern Michigan
Julius Shelby, Eastern Michigan
Dominique Sherrer, Eastern Michigan
Zac Kasparek, Akron
Troy Gilmer, Akron
Armand Dehaney, Ball State
Zane Fakes, Ball State
Ryan Hartke, Ball State
Kreg Hunter, Ball State
Tony Martin, Ball State
Andrew Puthoff, Ball State
Connor Ryan, Ball State
Keith Wenning, Ball State
Tyler Beck, Bowling Green
Ben Bojicic, Bowling Green
Dominic Flewellyn, Bowling Green
Ronnie Goble, Bowling Green
Cory Johnson, Bowling Green
Gabe Martin, Bowling Green
DeVon McKoy, Bowling Green
Ben Brown, Central Michigan
Brandon Fricke, Central Michigan
Richie Hogan, Central Michigan
Mike Kinville, Central Michigan
Kenny McClendon, Central Michigan
Tim Phillips, Central Michigan
Mike Repovz, Central Michigan
Brad Bednar, Miami
Pat Hinkel, Miami
Jason Semmes, Miami
Joseph Williams, Miami
Alan Baxter, Northern Illinois
Adam Kiel, Northern Illinois
Matt Krempel, Northern Illinois
Pat McAvoy, Northern Illinois
JD Bales, Ohio
Nathan Carpenter, Ohio
Brad Fain, Ohio
Jeff King, Ohio
Josh Kristoff, Ohio
Derek Roback, Ohio
Jordan Thompson, Ohio
A.J. Lindeman, Toledo
Greg Mancz, Toledo
Ben Pike, Toledo
Jared Strait, Toledo
Matt Wall, Toledo
Brian Fields, Western Michigan
Kirk Nakama, Western Michigan
EMU Football Pregame Press Conference: Week 3 vs. Kentucky
Monday, September 08
Highlights: Football vs. LIU
Sunday, September 07
EMU Football Week Two Hype Video
Sunday, September 07
EMU Football Pregame Press Conference: Week 2 vs. LIU
Monday, September 01