Photo by: Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics
Korsak Selected to All-Big Ten First Team
Nov 30 | Football
Fatukasi earns third-team honors; Izien & Turner claim honorable mention
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football punter Adam Korsak earned a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team in the coaches' vote released by the conference office Tuesday. Linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi claimed All-Big Ten Third Team status in the media ballot, while both defensive back Christian Izien (media) and defensive lineman Julius Turner (coaches & media) both garnered honorable mention.
Rutgers Football Big Ten Honors
First Team (Coaches): P Adam Korsak
Third Team (Media): LB Olakunle Fatukasi, P Adam Korsak
Honorable Mention (Coaches): LB Olakunle Fatukasi, DL Julius Turner
Honorable Mention (Media): DB Christian Izien, DL Julius Turner
Korsak, one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award, helped the Scarlet Knights to a net punt of 45.34, first nationally and setting a new NCAA record. Opponents had a return of less than four yards 67-of-70 attempts, with 63 times recording a zero or negative return. In addition, Korsak pinned 37 inside the 20 with 15 settling at the 10 or closer and four times stopping a punt at the 1-yard line. The Aussie boomed 19 at least 50 yards on the way to setting a new program record with a 45.9 average, recording zero touchbacks. The two-time team captain has posted 122 consecutive attempts without a touchback dating back to 2019. This marks the fourth-straight season with Korsak meriting All-Big Ten recognition.
A semifinalist for the Butkus Award as one of the top linebackers in the nation, Fatukasi ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 13th nationally with 9.9 tackles per game. That included a season-high 13 stops versus Northwestern and Syracuse with four games in double figures overall in 2021. The New York native claimed the Bednarik Award Player of the Week following a performance with four tackles-for-loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a safety in the win over Temple. Overall, he posted team highs with 89 tackles and 11 tackles-for-loss, along with two forced fumbles and two pass breakups. Fatukasi's 302 career tackles ranks 12th in program history.
Izien started all 12 games at safety and recorded 71 tackles with nine for loss. He added four pass breakups. Against Michigan State, the New York native recorded 10 stops with a career-best three in the backfield. Izien followed that with two more tackles-for-loss at Northwestern, as this marks the second-straight season earning honorable mention status.
Tying for the program record with 57 career games played, Turner started all 12 games at nose guard in 2021. He posted 38 tackles with five for loss and 2.5 sacks. The Mississippi native notched a season-high seven stops versus Michigan State, adding a forced fumble at Northwestern and a pass batted down at Indiana. Turner was instrumental up front in helping the rushing defense improve by 41 yards per game from last season.
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel and bookmark Rutgers.Football, the Scarlet Knights' dedicated recruiting site.
Rutgers Football Big Ten Honors
First Team (Coaches): P Adam Korsak
Third Team (Media): LB Olakunle Fatukasi, P Adam Korsak
Honorable Mention (Coaches): LB Olakunle Fatukasi, DL Julius Turner
Honorable Mention (Media): DB Christian Izien, DL Julius Turner
| ADAM KORSAK |
Korsak, one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award, helped the Scarlet Knights to a net punt of 45.34, first nationally and setting a new NCAA record. Opponents had a return of less than four yards 67-of-70 attempts, with 63 times recording a zero or negative return. In addition, Korsak pinned 37 inside the 20 with 15 settling at the 10 or closer and four times stopping a punt at the 1-yard line. The Aussie boomed 19 at least 50 yards on the way to setting a new program record with a 45.9 average, recording zero touchbacks. The two-time team captain has posted 122 consecutive attempts without a touchback dating back to 2019. This marks the fourth-straight season with Korsak meriting All-Big Ten recognition.
| OLAKUNLE FATUKASI |
A semifinalist for the Butkus Award as one of the top linebackers in the nation, Fatukasi ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 13th nationally with 9.9 tackles per game. That included a season-high 13 stops versus Northwestern and Syracuse with four games in double figures overall in 2021. The New York native claimed the Bednarik Award Player of the Week following a performance with four tackles-for-loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a safety in the win over Temple. Overall, he posted team highs with 89 tackles and 11 tackles-for-loss, along with two forced fumbles and two pass breakups. Fatukasi's 302 career tackles ranks 12th in program history.
| CHRISTIAN IZIEN |
Izien started all 12 games at safety and recorded 71 tackles with nine for loss. He added four pass breakups. Against Michigan State, the New York native recorded 10 stops with a career-best three in the backfield. Izien followed that with two more tackles-for-loss at Northwestern, as this marks the second-straight season earning honorable mention status.
| JULIUS TURNER |
Tying for the program record with 57 career games played, Turner started all 12 games at nose guard in 2021. He posted 38 tackles with five for loss and 2.5 sacks. The Mississippi native notched a season-high seven stops versus Michigan State, adding a forced fumble at Northwestern and a pass batted down at Indiana. Turner was instrumental up front in helping the rushing defense improve by 41 yards per game from last season.
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel and bookmark Rutgers.Football, the Scarlet Knights' dedicated recruiting site.
Players Mentioned
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