Saint-Dic Selected First-Team All-Big Ten By Media
11/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 19, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State senior defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic has been named first-team All-Big Ten by the league's media panel. Saint-Dic, who set the Big Ten single-season record with eight forced fumbles, has been voted second-team all-conference by the coaches. Three other Spartans have earned second-team All-Big Ten honors: junior running back Javon Ringer (coaches and media), junior wide receiver Devin Thomas (coaches and media) and senior offensive tackle Pete Clifford (media).
The 6-foot-1, 255-pound Saint-Dic ranks fourth in the Big Ten and No. 16 in the NCAA in sacks (10 for 75 yards), averaging 0.83 per game. His 10 sacks rank sixth (tied with Greg Taplin, 2003; Julian Peterson, 1998; and Kelly Quinn, 1983) on MSU's single-season chart. Saint-Dic also ranks among the conference (tied for sixth) and national (tied for No. 33) leaders in tackles for loss (14.5 for 85 yards), averaging 1.21 per game.
Saint-Dic set the Big Ten single-season record with his eighth forced fumble against top-ranked Ohio State, breaking the mark previously held by Penn State's Michael Haynes (7 in 13 games in 2002). His eight forced fumbles rank as the second-best single-season total in NCAA Bowl Subdivision history, trailing only Louisville's Elvis Dumervil (10, 2005).
The Elizabeth, N.J., native recorded a career-best 10 tackles (3 solos, 7 assists), including one for a 2-yard loss, in MSU's 48-41 overtime loss to Northwestern. Saint-Dic recorded at least one sack in four consecutive games (vs. Bowling Green, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and Wisconsin), tying the school record held by Courtney Ledyard (1996 vs. Louisville, Eastern Michigan, Iowa and Illinois) and Julian Peterson (1999 vs. Ohio State, Northwestern, Penn State and Florida).
Saint-Dic shared Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors (with Ohio State's linebacker James Laurinaitis) after recording five tackles, including three for losses (13 yards), and forcing two fumbles in MSU's 17-13 victory over Pittsburgh.
"Jonal Saint-Dic certainly has a knack for making big plays," MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said. "He set the Big Ten single-season record for forced fumbles, and he ranks among the national leaders in sacks and tackles for loss. Jonal is a great competitor, who brings a lot of energy to the field."
 Javon Ringer becomes the first running back to lead the Spartans in rushing for three-straight seasons since Sedrick Irvin (1996-98).  | |
The 5-9, 200-pound Ringer leads the team in rushing, with 1,346 yards (224 carries for 6.0 avg.) - the eighth-best single-season total in school history. He becomes the first running back to lead the Spartans in rushing for three-straight seasons since Sedrick Irvin (1996-98). Ringer has recorded six 100-yard rushing games this season.
The Dayton, Ohio, native ranks among the Big Ten leaders in rushing (No. 4 at 112.2 yards per game) and all-purpose yards (No. 5 at 135.3 ypg.). Ringer also is listed among the NCAA leaders in both statistical categories: No. 24 in rushing and No. 44 in all-purpose yards. His 34 receptions (278 yards) rank second on the team.
For the first time in his career, Ringer was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (shared honor with Northwestern quarterback C.J. Bacher) after rushing for a career-best 203 yards and two scores in MSU's 52-27 Homecoming victory over Indiana. It marked his fourth straight 100-yard rushing game - the longest streak by a Spartan running back since Blake Ezor hit the century mark in five consecutive games in 1989. His 29 carries also marked a career high.
"Javon Ringer was voted team MVP by his peers," Dantonio said. "He's an outstanding playmaker, who has developed into a complete running back. Javon delivered big plays throughout the season. I admire him most for his toughness and work ethic."
 Devin Thomas set MSU single-season records for receptions (75), 100-yard receiving games (7) and all-purpose yards (2,370). | |
The 6-2, 218-pound Thomas leads the Big Ten in receiving yards (102.2 yards per game) and all-purpose yards (197.5 yards per game) while ranking second in both receptions (6.25 per game) and kickoff returns (28.1 avg.). In addition, Thomas is listed among the NCAA leaders in all four of those categories: No. 8 in receiving yards, No. 8 in all-purpose yards, No. 19 in kickoff returns and No. 29 in receptions.
The Ann Arbor, Mich., native set MSU single-season records for receptions (75), 100-yard receiving games (7) and all-purpose yards (2,370). His 957 kickoff return yards (second) and 1,226 receiving yards (third) rank among the top single-season totals in MSU history.
Fifty-one of his 75 receptions (68 percent) have resulted in either a TD or a first down, including 20 gains of 20 yards or more.
With 116 receiving yards (10 catches) at Purdue, Thomas became just the fourth 1,000-yard receiver in Spartan history, joining Courtney Hawkins (1989), Plaxico Burress (1998-99) and Charles Rogers (2001-02).
He accounted for more than 200 all-purpose yards in six games this season, including a career-best 266 all-purpose yards against Northwestern.
"Devin Thomas truly had a breakout year, setting Michigan State single-season records for receptions and all-purpose yards," Dantonio said. "He's emerged as one of the top all-purpose players in the country. His versatility is such an asset because he can produce big plays as a receiver, runner and kick returner."
 Pete Clifford graded out as a winner in 10 of 12 regular-season games. | |
The 6-7, 312-pound Clifford anchors an offensive line that helped Michigan State rank among the Big Ten leaders in scoring (first at 34.1 ppg.), total offense (second at 426.2 ypg.), rushing offense (fourth at 200.3 ypg.) and passing offense (225.9 ypg.). The Spartans are one of just 12 teams in the NCAA to average more than 200 yards per game both rushing and passing. Clifford graded out as a winner in 10 of 12 regular-season games.
"Pete Clifford has worked extremely hard to make himself a better player," Dantonio said. "I voted him first team because of the contributions he made to this offensive attack. He consistently posted the top grade among our offensive linemen, and he played a major role in helping this offensive unit rush for more than 2,400 yards, throw for more than 2,700 yards and score more than 400 points."
Five other Spartans have received All-Big Ten honorable mention: senior defensive end Ervin Baldwin (coaches and media), senior running back Jehuu Caulcrick (coaches), senior tight end Kellen Davis (coaches and media), junior quarterback Brian Hoyer (media) and senior free safety Travis Key (media).
The 6-2, 270-pound Baldwin ranks among the Big Ten (third) and NCAA (No. 13) leaders in tackles for loss, averaging 1.46 per game. His 17.5 tackles for loss (74 yards) represent the fourth-best single-season total in MSU history. He ranks second on the team and eighth in the Big Ten in sacks (7.5 for 56 yards; 0.63 per game).
The 6-0, 255-pound Caulcrick leads the Big Ten and ranks sixth (tied) in the NCAA in scoring, averaging 10.5 points per game. He has scored a Spartan single-season record 21 rushing touchdowns - the ninth-best single-season total in Big Ten history. Caulcrick has rushed for a career-best 813 yards on 207 carries, and he currently ranks ninth in the conference in rushing, averaging 67.8 yards per game.
The 6-6, 246-pound Davis set career highs for receptions (28), receiving yards (475) and TDs (5) in 2007. He recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game in the regular-season finale against Penn State, with four catches for 106 yards. Davis had two TD receptions each against Notre Dame and Purdue. He caught at least one pass in all 12 regular-season games. As a designated pass rusher, Davis registered six tackles, including 2.5 for losses (13 yards).
"Kellen Davis is the premiere tight end in this conference," Dantonio said. "He's an outstanding athlete, who made significant contributions on both sides of the football this season. Kellen is going to be an outstanding pro prospect."
The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Hoyer ranks among the Big Ten leaders in passing efficiency (second with his 138.9 rating), passing yards (fifth at 216.2 ypg.) and total offense (seventh at 206.8 ypg.). His 209 completions (fourth), 340 pass attempts (fourth), 2,594 passing yards (fourth) and 18 TD passes (tied for seventh) all rank among the top single-season totals in Spartan history. Hoyer has recorded six 200-yard passing games this season.
In the regular-season finale, he completed 16-of-21 throws for 257 yards and a career-best four TDs as the Spartans rallied from a 17-point third-quarter deficit for a 35-31 victory over Penn State.
The 5-10, 185-pound Key finished the regular-season ranked third on the team in tackles with 66, including 42 solo hits. He also had two interceptions and five pass break-ups. Key returned a fumble 20 yards for a touchdown at Purdue and returned an interception 31 yards for a score against Pittsburgh. He recorded a career-high nine tackles against Northwestern, including eight solos.
