South Dakota State University wide receiver Jake Wieneke was named to the initial watch list for the Jerry Rice Award, which is presented to the top freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision.
A redshirt freshman from Maple Grove, Minnesota, Wieneke has recorded two 100-yard receiving games so far this season. He opened his collegiate career by catching six passes for 107 yards, including a 45-yarder in the third quarter, in the Jackrabbits’ season opener at nationally ranked Missouri. Wieneke became the first Jackrabbit freshman in the Division I era to top the 100-yard receiving mark in a game, and the first since current receivers coach Josh Davis accomplished the feat three times during the 2002 season.
Wieneke followed his debut with two catches for 37 yards and his first collegiate touchdown — an 11-yard reception in the third quarter against Cal Poly. He also gained 52 yards on a lateral. Wieneke’s second 100-yard outing came in a losing effort at Illinois State as he caught seven passes for 116 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown.
For the season, Wieneke is averaging 19.5 yards every time he touches the ball as he has tallied a team-best 338 receiving yards on 19 receptions (17.8 ypr) and added a 52-yard rush in the Sept. 6 win over Cal Poly. Wieneke ranks second on the team with his 19 receptions and shares the team lead with three touchdown catches.
Wieneke is the third Jackrabbit in the four seasons the Jerry Rice Award has been presented to be under consideration for the award, joining Austin Sumner (2011) and T.J. Lally (2012).
The watch list will be updated periodically through the remainder of the 2014 regular season. The winner of the Jerry Rice Award will be announced at The Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation Dec. 15 in Philadelphia.
