Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Sports News

Crabtree earns top wide receiver honor

|
|
 
  
Published: Dec. 6, 2007 at 8:50 PM

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech Thursday captured the Biletnikoff Award, presented to the nation's top wide receiver.

The 6-foot-3 inch, 222-pound Houston native became the first freshman to be voted the award, named for Fred Biletnikoff -- an all-American at Florida State University who went on to become a Pro Bowl performer during 14 seasons with the Oakland Raiders and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Hall of Fame.

Crabtree led the nation this season with 21 touchdowns on 125 receptions for 1,861 receiving yards. He had 10 or more receptions in eight games and at least 100 yards receiving 10 times.

His exploits helped the Red Raiders finish 8-4, leading to a meeting Jan. 1 against 9-3 Virginia at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.

"I am very excited and honored to take this award home to Texas Tech," he said. "I have to give thanks to my parents, coaches and teammates because without them this would not have been possible."

The other finalists for the award were Jordy Nelson of Kansas State and Michigan's Mario Manningham.

Topics: Jordy Nelson, Michael Crabtree
© 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Linsanity The Daytona 500 Cheerleaders of 2012
Additional Sports News Stories
1 of 29
Members of the Army's Old Guard place flags at Arlington National Ceremtery
View Caption
U.S. flags are seen in the rucksack of a soldier with the Army's 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, as he places flags at gravesites in Arlington National Cemetery as part of the Flags-In Memorial Day ceremony on May 24, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. American flags were placed at each of the more than 220,000 grave markers in honor of those who served and Memorial Day. UPI/Kevin Dietshc
fark
Crimefighter who rides a chopper. In Afghanistan. And is a female. Don't mess with her
Daily Show writer partners with Slate to crowdsource ideas for amending and rewriting the Constitution....
Canada's national archives is being dismantled and scattered, who needs to remember the history...
Man disappears in Niagara Falls whirlpool; presumed to be spinning in his grave
Woman swallows toothbrush while brushing her teeth. Surgeons remove it before Oral B becomes Anal...
MSNBC Host Chris Hayes: I'm 'Uncomfortable' calling fallen military 'Heroes'