Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE'S JOHN GROSS AND MIKE MENDENHALL NAMED TO ECAC DIVISION I-A FOOTBALL ALL-STAR TEAM
1.3.06 | Football
PHILADELPHIA -- Temple senior offensive tackle John Gross and senior defensive end Mike Mendenhall have been named to the 2005 Eastern College Athletic Conference Division I-A Football All-Star Team.
Gross (6-6, 295) started all 11 games at LT and concluded his Temple career by playing 38 consecutive games and making 34 straight starts. A preseason All-Independent selection by CollegeFootballNews.com, the Slatington, Pa. native was named a semifinalist for the 2005 Draddy Trophy by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame. Known in many circles as the "Academic" Heisman, the Draddy Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership. A three-time member (2002-04) of the Big East Conference All-Academic Team, Gross was a 2005 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area selection. He was one of four team captains this season and was recipient of the team's "Top Hog Award" as its best offensive lineman.
Mendenhall (6-3, 250) capped his senior campaign by playing in the inaugural Magnolia Gridiron Classic All-Star Game in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 24. He 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.
The ECAC named Boston College senior defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka its player of the year and West Virginia freshman running back Steve Slaton its rookie of the year. Kiwanuka and Slaton will be honored at the annual Eastern College Football Awards Banquet presented by FieldTurf at the Pegasus Restaurant at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey on February 7, 2006. The annual event honors the top football playing institutions and student-athletes in the East.
