Zoltan Mesko, Jason Olesnavage named Academic All-Big Ten

Mesko, an Academic All-American, led the Big Ten in punting this year with a 44.5-yard average. He’s a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, which will be presented next week. Olesnavage, in his first year as starter, made 11-of-15 field goals.

J.B. Fitzgerald, John Ferrara, Will Heininger, Matt Cavanaugh, Jon Conover, Zac Johnson, Tim North and Mike Therman also were named all-academic for Michigan.

To be eligible for the award, athletes must be letterwinners in at least their second academic year with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

Michigan had the fewest all-academic selections of any football program, and the second fewest total honorees in all fall sports (41). Ohio State led all football programs with 31 all-academic selections and 95 total recipients. Northwestern was second with 27 football players honored.

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez praised his team's academic accomplishments several times this year, though he amended a statement he made claiming his team achieved its highest ever grade-point average earlier this fall.

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.