Maclin Named Biletnikoff Award Finalist
11/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 24, 2008
Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri sophomore wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (Kirkwood, Mo.) has been named a finalist for the 2008 Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation's top receiver. The award, administered by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, will go to a Big 12 Conference receiver this year, as the other two finalists along with Maclin are Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech (the award winner in 2007) and Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State.
Maclin, who is the NCAA leader in all-purpose yardage (202.2 avg.) has emerged as one of the nation's top wide receiving threats once again, as a key part of Mizzou's passing attack which ranks 4th in the country (349.36 ypg). Maclin has caught 79 passes in 11 games for 1,052 yards and an MU-record 10 touchdowns in 2008. He's also rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns, while adding a 25.6 average on kickoff returns (with one touchdown) and 9.9 yards on punt returns.. A comparison of the other finalists' stats is listed below.
2008 Biletnikoff Award Finalist Statistical Comparison
|
Player | Games Played | Rec. | Yards | Avg. | TDs | Rec. Yds./ Game | Rec./ Game | All-Purp./ Game |
| 11 | 79 | 1,052 | 13.3 | 10 | 95.6 | 7.18 | 202.2 | |
|
Michael Crabtree | 11 | 84 | 1,072 | 12.8 | 18 | 97.5 | 7.64 | 102.1 |
|
Dez Bryant | 11 | 68 | 1,222 | 17.9 | 16 | 111.1 | 6.18 | 146.4 |
Earlier this season, Oklahoma State got the best of Mizzou in a 28-23 win in October, but Maclin outdueled Bryant in the head-to-head matchup, as Maclin had 223 all-purpose yards in the defeat, while Bryant had 53. In the game, Maclin caught 8 passes for 120 yards (long of 41 yards) and added 97 yards on returns to with six rushing yards. Bryant had 7 receptions for 47 yards (6.7 avg. with long of 14 yds.), while adding one punt return for 6 yards, and one lost fumble.
Maclin has averaged 111.2 yards and has 9 receiving touchdowns in his last nine games (73 receptions, 1,001 yards), and he's been a key reason why Mizzou has won its second straight Big 12 Conference North Division championship. He is one of only two players in the NCAA to have at least 175 yards in all four all-purpose categories, and is the only BCS-conference school to hold that distinction. Maclin was a consensus 1st-Team All-American in 2007 as a redshirt freshman in the all-purpose category.
The 2008 recipient of "The Biletnikoff" will be announced on December 11, 2008 at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show live on ESPN and presented at the Biletnikoff Award Banquet on February 13, 2009 in Tallahassee, Fla. The keynote speaker for the event will be Len Dawson, former Kansas City Chief and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback.
For additional information, please visit www.biletnikoffaward.com.
