Northwestern University Athletics
Four Wildcats Named to All-Big Ten Team
11/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 26, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Senior offensive lineman Jeff Roehl (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) was named a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the Conference coaches and media today. He earned honorable mention honors from both groups in 2000 and 2001.
Three other Northwestern players were tabbed honorable mention selections by both the coaches and media: senior cornerback Raheem Covington (Pine Hill, N.J./Overbrook), senior center Austin King (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian) and junior running back Jason Wright (Diamond Bar, Calif./Diamond Bar).
Roehl started all 12 games this season, playing both guard and tackle this season. Ranked the nation's No. 12 guard by The Sporting News this past summer, Roehl played a key role in helping NU's young offense mature throughout the season. In the final eight games versus Big Ten competition, the Wildcats averaged nearly 400 yards per game (399.6 ypg) and ranked fifth in the league total offense. A Verizon second-team academic all-district pick, Roehl started all 35 career games at Northwestern after attending Notre Dame his freshman year.
Covington concluded his career with 24 pass breakups, the second most in NU history. He totaled 50 tackles (42 solos), four interceptions and nine breakups this season. Covington recorded two of his interceptions in the Michigan State game while defending first-team All-Big Ten receiver Charles Rogers.
King picked up honorable mention kudos for a third straight year from the coaches, and a second time from the media. He was the anchor of the Wildcats' offensive line and totaled more "championship" performances than any other NU senior. Like Roehl, King played a key role in the maturation of Northwestern's young offense, which finished the year with a 538-yard performance against Illinois. King was named a Verizon first-team academic all-district selection earlier this month.
Wright, who was named the team's Most Valuable Player on Sunday, led the Big Ten in kickoff return average (28.5), and ranked second in all-purpose yardage (167.8 ypg) and seventh in rushing average (102.8 ypg). His statistics were even better in Conference play, ranking second in rushing TDs, third in yards per carry average and fifth in rushing average. Wright had just one fumble in 219 carries, and none in his last 10 games, which included all eight Big Ten contests. He finished the year with 1,234 yards (sixth-best in a single-season at NU) and 2,013 all-purpose yards (third-best in a single-season at NU). Wright is also a Verizon first-team academic all-district honoree.
