Branch and Allen Named Second-Team All-Americans by CBS Sports

Dec. 8, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – Dwayne Allen and Andre Branch have both been named second-team All-Americans by cbssportsline.com, the internet site affiliated with CBS Sports. Allen was named a finalist for the John Mackey Award (top tight end), while Branch was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award (top defensive end).

Both players were big reasons Clemson won its first ACC Championship in 20 years with a 38-10 win over Virginia Tech last Saturday.

Allen was a first-team All-ACC selection this year after he had 48 catches for 577 yards and eight touchdowns, single season bests in all three categories for a Clemson tight end. His eight touchdown receptions broke the Clemson record for a tight end that had been held by all-time great Bennie Cunningham. Cunningham had seven in 1974.

Branch was also a first-team All-ACC selection this year and has an ACC best 10.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He has 78 total tackles, second on the Clemson team. He had four sacks and six tackles for loss in Clemson’s win at Virginia Tech on October 1, tying the Clemson single game record for both categories.