Eight Bruins honored for academics

Junior Chris Joseph and sophomore Kenneth Lombard led a group of eight UCLA players selected to the 2006 Pacific 10 Conference All-Academic football team. USC had a second-team selection in linebacker Clay Matthews.

Joseph, a starting offensive guard, and Lombard, a reserve defensive lineman, were named to the first team for the Bruins, who had six players earn second-team and honorable mention honors.

“They are two great young men who have been excellent football players for us,” Coach Karl Dorrell said about Joseph, a geography major with a 3.96 grade-point average, and Lombard, a history major with a 3.48 GPA.

“They are both on the leadership council on our team and very instrumental for us on both offense and defense. It’s good to see that they are rewarded and recognized for their talents both in the class room and on the field.”

UCLA senior fullback/special teams player Dan Nelson (3.40 in history) and redshirt freshman offensive tackle Aleksey Lanis (3.60, major undeclared) earned second-team honors. Sophomore quarterback Ben Olson, senior wide receiver Andrew Baumgartner and sophomore tight ends Ryan Moya and Logan Paulsen were honorable mention selections.

“I guess that means we’re headed in the right direction,” Dorrell chuckled about UCLA’s high number of All-Academic players.

Matthews has a 3.10 GPA in international relations for USC.

“I think it probably had something to do with the competition in the classroom, the level of academic excellence here at SC,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “The school is very, very challenging. Very difficult.”

To be eligible for selection, players must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and be either a starter or significant substitute.

Times staff writer Gary Klein contributed to this report.

lonnie.white@latimes.com