Gophers’ Perich, Ersery named AP First-Team All-Big Ten
Koi Perich #3 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers intercepts a pass during the second half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl on October 12, 2024 in Pasadena, California. ((Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images))
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The University of Minnesota football team continues to get postseason awards after finishing 7-5 and earning a trip to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in early January.
On Tuesday, Aireontae Ersery and Koi Perich were named First-Team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press. Cody Lindenberg was named Second Team All-Big Ten after earning First-Team honors by coaches and media last week.
Why it matters
Ersery was named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, the first Gophers’ player to get the award since Greg Eslinger. He’s made 38 consecutive starts, and it remains to be seen if he’ll play in the bowl game. Ersery is expected to declare for the NFL Draft.
Perich had a standout freshman season, leading the Big Ten with five interceptions. He had 42 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in 12 games, starting at safety the back half of the season. He’s already announced he’s returning next year.
Lindenberg led the Gophers’ defense with 94 tackles, had five tackles for loss and one sack. He also had one interception, six pass break-ups and three quarterback hits. Lindenberg has one year of eligibility remaining, but could declare for the NFL Draft.
What’s next
The Gophers are getting ready for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against Virginia Tech on Jan. 3 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Minnesota is playing in its sixth bowl game under P.J. Fleck, is 5-0 under Fleck in bowl games and seeking its eighth straight bowl win.