Minnesota Football: Anthony Smith and Koi Perich named All-Big Ten Defense

The Big Ten announced all-conference selections for defense and special teams on Wednesday, and Minnesota defensive end Anthony Smith as voted first-team All-Big Ten by the coaches and second-team by the media. Safety Koi Perich was a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and third-team by the coaches.

Punter Tom Weston was voted third-team All-Big Ten by the media and Honorable Mention by the coaches.

Four other Gophers were named Honorable Mention in addition to Weston, including safety Kerry Brown, linebacker Maverick Baranowski, defensive tackle Deven Eastern, and long snapper Alan Soukup.

Smith finished the regular season ranked second in the Big Ten in sacks with 10.5 to go along with 32 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and one pass break-up. Perich ranks 19th in the conference with 77 total tackles, in addition to three tackles for loss, one sack, two pass break-ups, one interception, one touchdown, and one forced fumble. Weston is 11th in the Big Ten with a 42.8 yards-per-punt average, and 20 of his 59 punts were downed inside the 20-yard line, which ties for second in the conference.