Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE'S BURTON, HENDY AND MENDENHALL TO PLAY IN POSTSEASON ALL-STAR GAMES
12.22.05 | Football
PHILADELPHIA - Three Temple seniors -- defensive tackle Antwon Burton, punter Jake Hendy and defensive end Mike Mendenhall -- have accepted invitations to participate in post-season all-star games. Mendenhall will play in the inaugural Magnolia Gridiron Classic this Saturday (Dec. 24) in Jackson, Miss., Hendy will see action in the Las Vegas All-American Classic on January 14 and Burton will display his wares in the East-West Shrine Game Classic on January 21 in San Antonio.
Burton (6-3, 315) started all 11 games at DT as a third-year senior this past season, making 66 tackles (26 solo), five TFLs, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, one interception and three PBUs from an interior position. He ranks tied for 37th nationally in forced fumbles (.27). He made 14 total tackles, and both a forced and recovered fumble in the team's season finale at Navy. The Buffalo native was named to the CollegeFootballNews.com preseason All-Welcome Back Team, while also being cited as one of the top five independent pro prospects by the site.
Mendenhall (6-3, 250) started all 11 games at rush end as a fourth-year senior in 2005. He made 64 tackles (35 solo), 14.0 TFLs, seven sacks, five QBHs, three forced fumbles, and two PBUs. He ranks tied for 42nd nationally in TFLs (1.27), 45th in sacks (.64), and is tied for 37th in forced fumbles (.27). Cited by the coaching staff as the team's defensive player of the game five times, he was a team captain and was voted most valuable defensive player by his teammates. A preseason Honorable Mention All-American selection by NationalChamps.net and preseason All-Independent choice by CollegeFootballNews.com., the Gibbstown, N.J. native was a 2004 Second team All-Big East Conference selection.
Hendy (6-4, 220), punted 35 times as a second-year senior this past season for 1,356 yards (38.7 avg.) with a long punt of 58. The Sandy, Utah, native also had eight punts inside the 20-yard line and four fair catches. A journalism major, Hendy was also named to the 2005 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football Team. He arrived in Owl Country in spring 2004 after being cited as a JC Grid-Wire Honorable Mention All-American at Dixie State College of Utah.
