The University of Akron Athletics
Natson Added to Biletnikoff Award Watch List
November 07 | Football
Follow Zips Athletics on Twitter and Facebook | Buy Tickets
TALLAHASSE, Fla.-- University of Akron senior wide receiver JoJo Natson, Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) has been added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club (TQC) Foundation, Inc., announced on Monday.
The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the outstanding receiver in college football. Any player, regardless of position (tight end, slot receiver and back, inside receiver, wide receiver, split end, and running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award. As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes the outstanding receiver, not merely outstanding wide receiver.
In 10 games this fall, Natson is second in receiving with 53 receptions for 736 yards and a team-best 10 touchdowns. Natson is the Zips' scoring leader with 12 touchdowns for 72 points.
He has two 100-yard receiving games (134 at Marshall; 109 at Ball State) and 100-yard punt return game (116 at Buffalo). Additionally, Natson has returned two punts for touchdowns and leads the nation in the category.
The 2016 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented live on December 8, 2016, on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show to be broadcast 7:00 - 9:00pm (EST) on ESPN. College Football Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard will present the 2016 Biletnikoff Award winner on the show. Howard is one of only 5 ends or receivers who has won the Heisman Trophy, joining Larry Kelley, Leon Hart, Johnny Rodgers, and Tim Brown.
The correlation between Biletnikoff Award winners and stardom in the National Football League is uncannily predictable. Past Biletnikoff Award winners include Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree, and Larry Fitzgerald.
The 2016 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented his trophy before 550 patrons at the Biletnikoff Award Banquet at the University Center Club at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday, February 18, 2017. The banquet was hailed by 2014 keynote speaker Dick Vermeil, as well as by 2013 keynoter Larry Csonka, as "the best banquet in college sports."
The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., will announce the ten Biletnikoff Award semifinalists on November 14, 2016, following the vote by the members of the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee. Likewise, the three finalists will be declared, following another vote, on November 22, 2016.
The Zips (5-5 overall, 3-3 MAC), under the guidance of fifth-year head coach Terry Bowden, close out their home schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 9, against Bowling Green (1-8 overall, 0-5 MAC) at 8 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium- Summa Field. ESPNU will televise the game. The Senior Class will be honored in a pregame ceremony.
Single-game tickets are on sale now for $15 each by calling 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
All-access 10 packs are on sale now for $100, which include vouchers that can be redeemed for all six of the Zips' ticketed sports.
The Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium opens at 9 a.m. on game day for sales and general Will Call pick-up.
Fred BiletnikoffThe name Biletnikoff is synonymous with the term receiver. Fred Biletnikoff, a member of the pro and college football halls of fame, was an All-America receiver at Florida State University, and an All-Pro receiver for the Oakland Raiders. He caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns in his 14-year Raiders career from 1965 through 1978. Fred was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XI. The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation (TQC), Inc., created the Biletnikoff Award in 1994.
