The following is a release courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics:
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – University of Notre Dame junior wide receiver Golden Tate has been named one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award,
presented annually to college football’s top wide receiver. Joining Tate as
a finalist are Bowling Green’s Freddie Barnes and Jordan Shipley from Texas,
the Tallahassee Quarterback Club announced Monday.
Tate set the Notre Dame record for most receptions and receiving yards in a
season, breaking Jeff Samardzija’s previous marks set in 2005 and 2006,
respectively. Tate enters Saturday’s regular-season finale with 83
receptions for 1,295 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. He has added
touchdowns via punt return (one) and rushing (two) for 15 total touchdowns
this season.
The 5-11, 195-pounder from Hendersonville, Tenn., has registered five
multi-touchdown games in 2009 and no player in the Football Bowl Subdivision
has more 100-yard receiving games than Tate¹s eight this year. His eight
games with at least 100 yards receiving is tied for most in a season in
school history and his 14 career games with at least 100 receiving yards is
the most in Irish history.
Tate has 2,506 yards receiving at Notre Dame and needs 78 yards to break
Samardzija’s career receiving yards record. Tate’s 23 career touchdown
receptions ranks second all-time at Notre Dame and his 147 career receptions
ranks fourth on Notre Dame’s career list.
Among FBS receivers, Tate ranks second in total touchdowns, scoring and
scoring per game. He is tied for third in touchdown receptions, ranks fourth
in receiving yards and receiving yards per game. Tate stands eighth in total
receptions, ninth in receptions per game and all-purpose yards and is 10th
in yards per catch.
The Biletnikoff Award recipient will be named at the Home Depot/ESPNU
College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10, 2009.