Nov. 23, 2007

Columbia, Mo. - Fourteen University of Missouri football standout student-athletes have earned their way onto the 2007 Academic All-Big 12 Football Team, as announced by the league office.

Mizzou placed eight people on the league's all-academic first team, which is the fifth-highest total in the league, trailing only Texas (1^st - 16), Nebraska (2nd - 12) , Kansas (3^rd - 11) and Texas Tech (4th - 9).  Additionally, six Tigers were named to the second team.

The eight first-team members equals Mizzou's second-highest total as part of the Big 12, trailing only the record of 10 in 2006 and 2002 - both under Head Coach Gary Pinkel.  Yearly first team members since the inception of the Big 12 for Mizzou include:  1996 (5), 1997 (4), 1998 (5), 1999 (6), 2000 (4), 2001 (8), 2002 (10), 2003 (6), 2004 (8), 2005 (4), 2006 (10), 2007 (8).

Senior punter Adam Crossett, who is a graduate student working on his MBA currently, earned his fourth straight first-team honor, tying a school and league record.  Repeat first-team honorees include QB Chase Daniel (2^nd time), PK Jeff Wolfert (2^nd), OL Kurtis Gregory (2^nd), OL Dain Wise (2^nd) and OL James Stigall (2^nd).  Joining them on the first team for the first time include QB Chase Patton and DL Steven Blair.

Second-team members for MU include standouts Lorenzo Williams, Adam Spieker and Tyler Luellen, as well as reserve contributors Tim Barnes, Jeff Gettys and John Ruth. 

First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better grade point average, with the second team consisting of those with a 3.00 to 3,19 GPA.

For more team details, please visit the Big 12 Conference website, at www.big12sports.com.

Name                               Honor              Major                                       Hometown         

Steven Blair (Sr. - DL)         1^st Team             Secondary Education                    Godfrey, Ill.

Adam Crossett (Sr. - P)       1st Team            MBA - Business                            Liberty, Mo.

Chase Daniel (Jr. - QB)        1st Team            Business                                     Southlake, Texas

Kurtis Gregory (So. - OL)     1st Team            General Agriculture                       Blackburn, Mo.

Chase Patton (Jr. - QB)       1^st Team             Biological Services                        Columbia, Mo.

James Stigall (So. - OL)       1st Team            Undeclared                                 Blue Springs, Mo.

Dain Wise (So. - OL)           1st Team            Business                                     Midwest City, Okla.

Jeff Wolfert (Jr. - PK)         1st Team            Plant Science                              Overland Park, Kan.

Tim Barnes (RS-Fr. - OL)      2^nd Team            Business                                     Marshall, Mo.

Jeff Gettys (RS-Fr. - LB)       2^nd Team            Business                                     Houston, Mo.

Tyler Luellen (Sr. - OL)        2^nd Team            Hotel & Restaurant Management    Bethany, Mo.

John Ruth (Sr. - LB)            2^nd Team            Business                                     Jefferson City, Mo.

Adam Spieker (Sr. - OL)      2^nd Team            General Studies                           Webb City, Mo.

Lorenzo Williams (Sr. - DL)   2^nd Team            General Agriculture                       Midwest City, Okla.