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Yoder Named Finalist For Jerry Rice Award
11/20/2023 1:11:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh first-year running back Luke Yoder has been named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, Stats Perform announced Monday. Yoder enjoyed a terrific first year in the Brown and White, in which he led the Mountain Hawks in rushing yards and touchdowns.
The Jerry Rice Award recognizes the national freshman of the year in Division I FCS football.
A two-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week, Yoder appeared in nine of Lehigh's 11 games in 2023. He rushed 135 times for 644 yards, an impressive 4.8 yards-per-carry clip and scored five touchdowns. Yoder added 13 receptions for 87 yards and returned four kickoffs for 70 yards.
Yoder made his debut against Cornell on Sept. 16 and scored a touchdown late in the first half. He had three 100-yard rushing games during Patriot League play, highlighted by a 38-carry, 138-yard, two-touchdown effort in a 27-18 win at Bucknell on Oct. 21. The 38 rushing attempts were the most by a Lehigh player in more than 15 years.
In Lehigh's league-opener at Fordham, Yoder broke off Lehigh's longest run from scrimmage of the season with a 51-yard scamper down to the one-yard line, which set up a Lehigh touchdown. Yoder also rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown against Holy Cross on Nov. 4 and scored Lehigh's first touchdown at Colgate with a 46-yard rush.
Yoder is Lehigh's first Jerry Rice Award finalist since wide receiver Troy Pelletier in 2014. He is one of two Patriot League players to make the list of 22 finalists, along with Lafayette defensive lineman Jaylon Joseph.
The winner will be selected by a national voting panel and will be announced on Dec. 6 and honored at the FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas – the eve of the FCS championship game.
Stats Perform will also present the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on X/Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
The Jerry Rice Award recognizes the national freshman of the year in Division I FCS football.
A two-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week, Yoder appeared in nine of Lehigh's 11 games in 2023. He rushed 135 times for 644 yards, an impressive 4.8 yards-per-carry clip and scored five touchdowns. Yoder added 13 receptions for 87 yards and returned four kickoffs for 70 yards.
Yoder made his debut against Cornell on Sept. 16 and scored a touchdown late in the first half. He had three 100-yard rushing games during Patriot League play, highlighted by a 38-carry, 138-yard, two-touchdown effort in a 27-18 win at Bucknell on Oct. 21. The 38 rushing attempts were the most by a Lehigh player in more than 15 years.
In Lehigh's league-opener at Fordham, Yoder broke off Lehigh's longest run from scrimmage of the season with a 51-yard scamper down to the one-yard line, which set up a Lehigh touchdown. Yoder also rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown against Holy Cross on Nov. 4 and scored Lehigh's first touchdown at Colgate with a 46-yard rush.
Yoder is Lehigh's first Jerry Rice Award finalist since wide receiver Troy Pelletier in 2014. He is one of two Patriot League players to make the list of 22 finalists, along with Lafayette defensive lineman Jaylon Joseph.
The winner will be selected by a national voting panel and will be announced on Dec. 6 and honored at the FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas – the eve of the FCS championship game.
Stats Perform will also present the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on X/Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Players Mentioned
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