Washington U. Has 22 Named to All-UAA Team

ALL-UAA TEAM

St. Louis, Mo., November 20, 2007 – The Washington University in St. Louis football team had 22 student-athletes named to the all-University Athletic Association (UAA) Team, as announced by the league office.

Freshman Jim O’Brien capped an impressive rookie season by earning first-team all-UAA honors as a running back, kick returner and punt returner. O’Brien, who also captured UAA Rookie of the Year accolades, led the Bears averaging 101.3 all-purpose yards and 45.6 rushing yards per game. On special teams, he picked up 12.4 yards per punt return and 22.5 yards per kick return.

Joining O’Brien on the first-team offense was junior offensive lineman Nate Frogge and senior tight end Jeff Howenstein.

Washington U. was well represented on the first-team defense, garnering a conference-best four honorees: freshman defensive back Brandon Brown, senior linebacker Michael Elliott, sophomore defensive back Tim Machan and senior linebacker Tyler McSparin.

Brown led the UAA in passes defended with 11, while Elliott, a three-time all-UAA honoree, was fourth in the conference with 80 tackles. Machan led the UAA and was third in Division III with seven interceptions. He brought back those interceptions for 171 yards, shattering the WU single-season record of 132. McSparin, a three-time all-UAA honoree, was second on the team with 68 tackles.

Washington University had a conference-best seven student-athletes on the second-team offense: senior offensive lineman Kevin Brooks, senior wide receiver Michael Casper, junior offensive lineman Dan Elliott, Indianapolis, Ind. (Cathedral), senior H-back Scottie Guthrie, senior wide receiver Joe Lubelski, senior offensive lineman Scott Reigle and junior quarterback Buck Smith.

The Bears had five second-team selections on defense: junior defensive back Tommy Bawden, sophomore linebacker Andrew Berryman, senior Charlie Machan, freshman defensive lineman Dan Mulholland and senior defensive lineman Brent Sensenich. On special teams, Michael Elliott garnered second-team honors at kicker after converting 21-of-26 extra points and 4-of-4 field goals.

Earning honorable-mention honors on defense was senior defensive back Evan Mayer and senior defensive lineman Bob Pine.

Washington University finished the 2007 season with a 7-3 overall record and secured its 15th-consecutive winning season.