2012 All-Big Ten teams include one Golden Gopher

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are an improved team under head coach Jerry Kill this year, posting a .500 record as part of their first bowl-eligible season since 2009. Unfortunately, they still landed just one player, defensive end D.L. Wilhite, on any of the Big Ten's all-conference teams.

The teams, announced by the Big Ten on Monday, were determined by votes from the conference's coaches and the media members that cover it, respectively. Neither group was enamored with many of Minnesota's players, apparently, leading to the absence of Golden Gophers.

Wilhite, Minnesota's lone representative on any of the teams, was voted to the media's second team. The senior did play well for the Golden Gophers this season, recording 30 tackles and 8.5 sacks over 12 games.

Both the media and coaches listed defensive back Michael Carter as an honorable mention, in addition to Wilhite. Also a senior like Wilhite, Carter recorded 42 tackles, 13 defended passes and two interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown) this season.