Dec. 24, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill.-Northwestern freshman Loren Howard (Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro) was tabbed a first-team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News today. It was his third such honor this month after earning first-team freshman All-America kudos from College Football News and Rivals.com.
Joining Howard on TSN's annual All-America team was quarterback Brett Basanez (Arlington Heights, Ill./St. Viator), who earned second-team honors, and wide receiver Jeff Backes (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington), who earned fourth-team honors as a kick returner.
Howard, a true freshman who started all 12 games at defensive end, totaled 81 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss-the sixth-best figure in the Big Ten. Howard, who had a career-high 14 tackles in a win over Duke and a career-best three TFL versus Duke and Iowa, also was named TSN's Big Ten Defensive Freshman of the Year.
A redshirt freshman, Basanez led the Big Ten in total offense (230.0 ypg) and led all freshmen quarterbacks nationally in passing yardage (220.4 ypg). He completed 190-of-325 passes (58.5 percent) for 2,204 yards and seven touchdowns. Basanez also was named a first-team All-Big Ten freshman by TSN, and an honorable mention freshman All-America by College Football News.
Backes, who helped Northwestern's kickoff return unit rank as one of the nation's best, averaged 26.2 yards per return, which was third-best in the Big Ten and 13th nationally. Teammate Jason Wright (Diamond Bar, Calif./Diamond Bar) averaged 28.5 ypr, which was first in the Big Ten and fifth nationally. The Wildcats ranked seventh nationally in kickoff return average. Backes, who played receiver most of the year, caught 18 passes for 127 yards.
College Football News also announced its All-Big Ten team. Center Austin King (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian) and Wright were named to the first team, at center and kick returner, respectively.