Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Stephen Carrera
Five #B1GCats Recognized with Preseason Honors
6/11/2015 4:03:00 PM | Football
Two offensive players, two defensive Wildcats and one specialist named by Athlon Sports
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Five Northwestern Wildcats have garnered 2015 Preseason All-Big Ten recognition from Athlon Sports, the publication announced Thursday (June 11).
Two offensive Wildcats, two defensive Wildcats and one specialist received the distinct recognition from Athlon. Leading the way with a second-team offense nod is second-year running back Justin Jackson (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North), while senior superback Dan Vitale (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton-Warrenville South) was named to the third-team offense.
On the other side of the ball, senior corner back Nick VanHoose (Urbana, Ohio/Graham) picked up a spot on the All-Big Ten third-team defense and defensive end Dean Lowry (Rockford, Ill./Boylan) was named to the fourth team. Placekicker Jack Mitchell (San Diego, Calif./Torrey Pines) was also named a fourth-team specialist.
Jackson collected All-Big Ten honorable mention accolades from the coaches in 2014 after amassing 1,187 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games as a true freshman. Vitale, who also earned All-Big Ten honorable mention a year ago, surpassed 100 catches and 1,000 career yards in 2014 when he finished with 40 receptions on 402 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
VanHoose, a second-team All-Big Ten performer in 2014, started 10 games in the defensive backfield and ranked second in the conference and 26th nationally with 1.2 passes defended per game. He was also one of only six FBS players with three blocked kicks last season (two PATs, one FG). Lowry earned All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2014 after registering 41 tackles, four sacks and eight pass breakups during his third season in Evanston.
Mitchell converted 14-of-18 field-goal attempts in 2014 while leading the 'Cats with 68 points on the season. He was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week on Nov, 17 after helping Northwestern topple 15th-ranked Notre Dame. The junior blasted a career-long 46-yard kick and nailed a game-winning 41-yarder overtime.
To view the full Athlon Sports Big Ten Football 2015 All-Conference Teams, please click here.
Season tickets to enjoy Northwestern's seven-game slate at Ryan Field are on sale now. The Wildcats open the 2015 docket at home against a Pac-12 foe for the second consecutive year when the Stanford Cardinal come calling on Saturday, Sept. 5. The 'Cats will also host Eastern Illinois (Sept. 12) and Ball State (Sept. 26 - 7 p.m. CDT) in nonconference contests before welcoming Minnesota (Oct. 3), Iowa (Oct. 17 - 11 a.m. CDT), Penn State (Nov. 7) and Purdue (Nov. 14) in Big Ten action. Purchase season tickets today by calling the Northwestern Athletics ticket office at 888-GO-PURPLE (888-467-8775) or visiting NUsports.com.
Two offensive Wildcats, two defensive Wildcats and one specialist received the distinct recognition from Athlon. Leading the way with a second-team offense nod is second-year running back Justin Jackson (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North), while senior superback Dan Vitale (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton-Warrenville South) was named to the third-team offense.
On the other side of the ball, senior corner back Nick VanHoose (Urbana, Ohio/Graham) picked up a spot on the All-Big Ten third-team defense and defensive end Dean Lowry (Rockford, Ill./Boylan) was named to the fourth team. Placekicker Jack Mitchell (San Diego, Calif./Torrey Pines) was also named a fourth-team specialist.
Jackson collected All-Big Ten honorable mention accolades from the coaches in 2014 after amassing 1,187 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games as a true freshman. Vitale, who also earned All-Big Ten honorable mention a year ago, surpassed 100 catches and 1,000 career yards in 2014 when he finished with 40 receptions on 402 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
VanHoose, a second-team All-Big Ten performer in 2014, started 10 games in the defensive backfield and ranked second in the conference and 26th nationally with 1.2 passes defended per game. He was also one of only six FBS players with three blocked kicks last season (two PATs, one FG). Lowry earned All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2014 after registering 41 tackles, four sacks and eight pass breakups during his third season in Evanston.
Mitchell converted 14-of-18 field-goal attempts in 2014 while leading the 'Cats with 68 points on the season. He was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week on Nov, 17 after helping Northwestern topple 15th-ranked Notre Dame. The junior blasted a career-long 46-yard kick and nailed a game-winning 41-yarder overtime.
To view the full Athlon Sports Big Ten Football 2015 All-Conference Teams, please click here.
Season tickets to enjoy Northwestern's seven-game slate at Ryan Field are on sale now. The Wildcats open the 2015 docket at home against a Pac-12 foe for the second consecutive year when the Stanford Cardinal come calling on Saturday, Sept. 5. The 'Cats will also host Eastern Illinois (Sept. 12) and Ball State (Sept. 26 - 7 p.m. CDT) in nonconference contests before welcoming Minnesota (Oct. 3), Iowa (Oct. 17 - 11 a.m. CDT), Penn State (Nov. 7) and Purdue (Nov. 14) in Big Ten action. Purchase season tickets today by calling the Northwestern Athletics ticket office at 888-GO-PURPLE (888-467-8775) or visiting NUsports.com.
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