South Dakota State University wide receiver Jake Wieneke was named Wednesday as Missouri Valley Football Conference Freshman of the Year, following a vote of the league’s coaches, sports information directors and media.
A native of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Wieneke became the first freshman in league history to top 1,000 receiving yards in a season, finishing the regular season with 1,318 yards on 66 receptions. His 15 touchdown receptions are a school record and one shy of the MVFC record of 16 set by Eddie Berlin of Northern Iowa in 2000.
Heading into postseason play, Wieneke has recorded seven 100-yard games and caught a touchdown pass in all eight league games. He holds three of the top-12 single-game receiving yard marks in program history, including an eight-reception, 183-yard, three-touchdown performance Oct. 11 at Missouri State that ranks sixth in the SDSU annals.
Wieneke is the second Jackrabbit player to be named MVFC Freshman of the Year, joining quarterback Austin Sumner in 2011. He also is a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman player in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Wieneke also placed second in the balloting for the league’s Newcomer of the Year, finishing behind Illinois State quarterback Tre Roberson. Jackrabbit running back Zach Zenner finished third in the balloting for the MVFC Offensive Player of the Year award, finishing behind Illinois State running back Marshaun Coprich and Northern Iowa back David Johnson.
