Tim Couch.

Four University of Kentucky football players, offensive guard John Schlarman, quarterback Tim Couch, strong safety Tremayne Martin, and wide receiver Craig Yeast, were named to the Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference team released Tuesday.

John Schlarman.

Schlarman, a senior from Ft. Thomas, Ky., was named to the first-team offense. Schlarman was the leader of the line that helped Kentucky rank sixth in the nation in total offense with 474 yards per game. The Wildcats led the SEC and placed second nationally in passing offense, and Schlarman’s blocking helped successfully protect the passer on 95 percent of all pass plays this season. The UK offense broke 51 school records and 15 SEC marks during the 1997 campaign.

Couch, a sophomore from Hyden, Ky., was the second-team quarterback. He completed 363 of 547 yards for 3,884 yards and 37 touchdowns. He led the nation in passing yardage per game (353.1) and touchdown passes per game (3.4). Couch broke or tied 10 Southeastern Conference records in 1997, including the single-season league records for passing yardage and total offense. Couch placed second nationally in total offense with 341.7 yards per game. Couch also broke 17 school records this season. He won various national player of the week awards following UK’s victories over Louisville, Indiana, and Alabama and was SEC Offensive Player of the Week on two occasions during the campaign. He led the league in passing yardage, touchdown passes, total offense, and completion percentage (.664).

Couch’s primary target was wide receiver Craig Yeast, who was selected to the second-team offense. Yeast caught 73 passes for 873 yards and 10 touchdowns during the 1997 season. He led the SEC in receptions per game (6.6) and was second in the league in TD catches. A junior from Harrodsburg, Ky., Yeast broke or tied 11 school records, including the single-season and career records for receptions and receiving yardage. Yeast will be remembered in Wildcats history for catching the game-winning TD pass in the overtime win against Alabama.

Craig Yeast.

In addition to his pass catching exploits, Yeast also proved to be a dangerous player on kick returns. He returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns this season, the first Wildcats player to accomplish that feat in 30 years.

Martin, a senior from Apopka, Fla., was a second-team choice at strong safety. He led all SEC defensive backs in tackles with 96. He had five interceptions and six pass breakups in 1997, pacing the Wildcats in both categories. His jolting hits caused three fumbles this year, including the Alabama fumble in overtime that set up Yeast’s game-winning TD catch.

Tremayne Martin.

Having four players selected to the Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference teams is the most for Kentucky since 1990, when four Wildcats were chosen.