Photo by: Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics
Cruickshank Named Phil Steele Honorable Mention All-America
Jan 06 | Football
Seven Scarlet Knights earn All-Big Ten status
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Aron Cruickshank represents Rutgers football as an honorable mention All-America pick by Phil Steele. The wide receiver/kick returner becomes the first Scarlet Knight to earn All-America status since Kemoko Turay in 2014 and is the 17th RU player under head coach Greg Schiano to gain the distinction.
Cruickshank, the Big Ten Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year and First Team All-Big Ten by the media and coaches, adds First Team All-Big Ten honors from Phil Steele as one of seven Scarlet Knights listed in the conference postseason listing. Linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi, punter Adam Korsak and long snapper Billy Taylor collected a spot on the second team, while wide receiver Bo Melton merited third team and both running back Isaih Pacheco and defensive lineman Mike Tverdov netted fourth team.
Rutgers Football Phil Steele Honors
Honorable Mention All-America: WR/KR Aron Cruickshank
First Team All-Big Ten: WR/KR Aron Cruickshank
Second Team All-Big Ten: LB Olakunle Fatukasi, P Adam Korsak, LS Billy Taylor
Third Team All-Big Ten: WR Bo Melton
Fourth Team All-Big Ten: RB Isaih Pacheco, DL Mike Tverdov
ARON CRUICKSHANK
One of four players tied for the nation's lead, and the only in the Big Ten, with two kickoff return touchdowns, Cruickshank averaged 26.8 yards on 25 kickoff returns. He picked up 671 combined kick returns yards to rank fourth nationally and first in the Big Ten. That includes a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Purdue that sparked a 17-0 scoring run to overcome a 10-point deficit and pull ahead for a road victory. It was the fifth 100-yarder in Rutgers history and first kickoff return touchdown of any length since 2016. Then against Nebraska, Cruickshank ripped off a 98-yard kickoff return to put the Scarlet Knights ahead in the third quarter. Overall, Cruickshank ranked second on the team with 936 all-purpose yards by adding 239 receiving on 37 receptions and 26 rushing. The New York native hauled in his first collegiate receiving touchdown on a fourth down to help tie the game with 27 second remaining and force overtime versus Michigan.
OLAKUNLE FATUKASI
One of 16 linebackers on the Butkus Award semifinalist list, Fatukasi, a team captain, averaged 11.2 tackles per game to lead the Big Ten and rank ninth nationally. Totaling 101 tackles overall, the linebacker had double-digit stops in six games with a high of 17 versus Michigan and Penn State. Eleven of the stops were in the backfield, tying for the most by an RU player in a Big Ten season. Following the season opener at Michigan State, the New York native earned Bednarik Award National Player of the Week and Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week after posting 10 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
ADAM KORSAK
In his third season as the starting punter, Korsak, a team captain, helped Rutgers to a net punt of 42.27 yards, second-best in the Big Ten. The mark ranks eighth nationally and resets the school record for the third-straight season. Korsak averaged 43.0 yards on 48 attempts, which is the fourth-best punting average in a season in program history. That includes eight of at least 50 yards with a long of 66 versus Illinois, recording no touchbacks, forcing 22 fair catches and pinning 21 inside the 20. Against Nebraska, the Aussie executed a fake punt on his first career rushing attempt to gain 17 yards for a first down.
BILLY TAYLOR
Taylor, the Scarlet Knights' Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner, took over the starting long snapper position in his first game as a true freshman in 2017 to start a streak of 45 consecutive games in the role. That includes being part of the operation that ran onto the field with time ticking down to convert a game-tying field goal, and later the game-winner in overtime, at Maryland. Taylor also handled the snaps for the punting unit, which ranked second in the Big Ten with a net punt of 42.27 yards. He was named to the Patrick Mannelly Award (top FBS senior long snapper) preseason watch list in August. The Parsippany, New Jersey, native was a semifinalist for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy. The award recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. A finance major with a concentration in business analytics, holding a 3.8 GPA, and worked internships with TD Bank and Mass Mutual/RU Financial. Taylor is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
BO MELTON
Melton, a team captain, led RU with nine total touchdowns (six receiving, two rushing, one punt return), third-most in the Big Ten, on three multiple-score games. Previously recognized nationally as member of the Biletnikoff Award watch list and the Hornung Award honor roll, he posted career highs with 47 receptions for 638 yards, highlighted by back-to-back 100-yard games versus Illinois (150) and Michigan (109). The Mays Landing, New Jersey, native rushed for two touchdowns in the win at Maryland, both giving RU the lead, and collected a career-high 170 all-purpose yards at No. 3 Ohio State. He led the Scarlet Knights with 942 all-purpose yards and 56 points scored on the season.
ISAIH PACHECO
Pacheco ranked eighth in the Big Ten with 515 rushing yards on 116 carries, scoring three touchdowns on the ground. That included a season-high 133 yards versus Illinois, a pair of rushing scores in the win at Michigan State and tying the team lead with 20 rushing first downs picked up. In the passing game, the Vineland, New Jersey, native contributed 19 receptions for 130 yards after totaling a combined 15 catches the previous two seasons. Pacheco scored his first collegiate receiving touchdown in the victory at Maryland.
MIKE TVERDOV
Tverdov's season was highlighted with a three-sack performance in the win at Maryland, becoming the fourth player in program history to reach the mark in a game and the first since 2008. He finished with 10.5 tackles-for-loss overall, including one for a five-yard loss that forced a three-and-out and proved to be the final offensive play of the game for Purdue. The Union, New Jersey, native set a career high with 10 tackles against Penn State and led the defensive line with 40 stops on the season. He added a forced fumble versus Illinois and recovered a fumble at No. 3 Ohio State.
Rutgers football matched the program high with three Big Ten victories in 2020, finishing with its best scoring differential in conference play since joining the league. Fourteen Scarlet Knights earned recognition in the All-Big Ten voting from the media and coaches. In addition, the program saw a team-high 46 student-athletes earn Academic All-Big Ten honors. Season tickets for 2021 are now on sale. Click here for more information.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter (@RFootball), subscribe to the YouTube channel and visit Rutgers.Football.
Cruickshank, the Big Ten Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year and First Team All-Big Ten by the media and coaches, adds First Team All-Big Ten honors from Phil Steele as one of seven Scarlet Knights listed in the conference postseason listing. Linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi, punter Adam Korsak and long snapper Billy Taylor collected a spot on the second team, while wide receiver Bo Melton merited third team and both running back Isaih Pacheco and defensive lineman Mike Tverdov netted fourth team.
Rutgers Football Phil Steele Honors
Honorable Mention All-America: WR/KR Aron Cruickshank
First Team All-Big Ten: WR/KR Aron Cruickshank
Second Team All-Big Ten: LB Olakunle Fatukasi, P Adam Korsak, LS Billy Taylor
Third Team All-Big Ten: WR Bo Melton
Fourth Team All-Big Ten: RB Isaih Pacheco, DL Mike Tverdov
ARON CRUICKSHANK
One of four players tied for the nation's lead, and the only in the Big Ten, with two kickoff return touchdowns, Cruickshank averaged 26.8 yards on 25 kickoff returns. He picked up 671 combined kick returns yards to rank fourth nationally and first in the Big Ten. That includes a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Purdue that sparked a 17-0 scoring run to overcome a 10-point deficit and pull ahead for a road victory. It was the fifth 100-yarder in Rutgers history and first kickoff return touchdown of any length since 2016. Then against Nebraska, Cruickshank ripped off a 98-yard kickoff return to put the Scarlet Knights ahead in the third quarter. Overall, Cruickshank ranked second on the team with 936 all-purpose yards by adding 239 receiving on 37 receptions and 26 rushing. The New York native hauled in his first collegiate receiving touchdown on a fourth down to help tie the game with 27 second remaining and force overtime versus Michigan.
He ain't the B1G Return Specialist of the Year for nothing. 🔥@RFootball transfer Aron Cruickshank (@Ac_Hollywood_) houses one for the fourth time in his career: pic.twitter.com/1zq75tqwFn
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 19, 2020
Are you serious @Ac_Hollywood_?
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 28, 2020
One series after scoring a 62-yard TD, @RFootball returned a kickoff for a TD 😤 pic.twitter.com/IGri89u1Od
OLAKUNLE FATUKASI
One of 16 linebackers on the Butkus Award semifinalist list, Fatukasi, a team captain, averaged 11.2 tackles per game to lead the Big Ten and rank ninth nationally. Totaling 101 tackles overall, the linebacker had double-digit stops in six games with a high of 17 versus Michigan and Penn State. Eleven of the stops were in the backfield, tying for the most by an RU player in a Big Ten season. Following the season opener at Michigan State, the New York native earned Bednarik Award National Player of the Week and Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week after posting 10 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
ADAM KORSAK
In his third season as the starting punter, Korsak, a team captain, helped Rutgers to a net punt of 42.27 yards, second-best in the Big Ten. The mark ranks eighth nationally and resets the school record for the third-straight season. Korsak averaged 43.0 yards on 48 attempts, which is the fourth-best punting average in a season in program history. That includes eight of at least 50 yards with a long of 66 versus Illinois, recording no touchbacks, forcing 22 fair catches and pinning 21 inside the 20. Against Nebraska, the Aussie executed a fake punt on his first career rushing attempt to gain 17 yards for a first down.
BILLY TAYLOR
Taylor, the Scarlet Knights' Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner, took over the starting long snapper position in his first game as a true freshman in 2017 to start a streak of 45 consecutive games in the role. That includes being part of the operation that ran onto the field with time ticking down to convert a game-tying field goal, and later the game-winner in overtime, at Maryland. Taylor also handled the snaps for the punting unit, which ranked second in the Big Ten with a net punt of 42.27 yards. He was named to the Patrick Mannelly Award (top FBS senior long snapper) preseason watch list in August. The Parsippany, New Jersey, native was a semifinalist for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy. The award recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. A finance major with a concentration in business analytics, holding a 3.8 GPA, and worked internships with TD Bank and Mass Mutual/RU Financial. Taylor is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
BO MELTON
Melton, a team captain, led RU with nine total touchdowns (six receiving, two rushing, one punt return), third-most in the Big Ten, on three multiple-score games. Previously recognized nationally as member of the Biletnikoff Award watch list and the Hornung Award honor roll, he posted career highs with 47 receptions for 638 yards, highlighted by back-to-back 100-yard games versus Illinois (150) and Michigan (109). The Mays Landing, New Jersey, native rushed for two touchdowns in the win at Maryland, both giving RU the lead, and collected a career-high 170 all-purpose yards at No. 3 Ohio State. He led the Scarlet Knights with 942 all-purpose yards and 56 points scored on the season.
ISAIH PACHECO
Pacheco ranked eighth in the Big Ten with 515 rushing yards on 116 carries, scoring three touchdowns on the ground. That included a season-high 133 yards versus Illinois, a pair of rushing scores in the win at Michigan State and tying the team lead with 20 rushing first downs picked up. In the passing game, the Vineland, New Jersey, native contributed 19 receptions for 130 yards after totaling a combined 15 catches the previous two seasons. Pacheco scored his first collegiate receiving touchdown in the victory at Maryland.
MIKE TVERDOV
Tverdov's season was highlighted with a three-sack performance in the win at Maryland, becoming the fourth player in program history to reach the mark in a game and the first since 2008. He finished with 10.5 tackles-for-loss overall, including one for a five-yard loss that forced a three-and-out and proved to be the final offensive play of the game for Purdue. The Union, New Jersey, native set a career high with 10 tackles against Penn State and led the defensive line with 40 stops on the season. He added a forced fumble versus Illinois and recovered a fumble at No. 3 Ohio State.
Rutgers football matched the program high with three Big Ten victories in 2020, finishing with its best scoring differential in conference play since joining the league. Fourteen Scarlet Knights earned recognition in the All-Big Ten voting from the media and coaches. In addition, the program saw a team-high 46 student-athletes earn Academic All-Big Ten honors. Season tickets for 2021 are now on sale. Click here for more information.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter (@RFootball), subscribe to the YouTube channel and visit Rutgers.Football.
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