Heinicke Added To Rice Watch List
RICHMOND, Va. (November 3, 2011) -- The definition of efficiency, having thrown just one interception in 18 quarters, is exactly what Old Dominion back-up quarterback Taylor Heinicke has exemplified since replacing injured starter Thomas DeMarco Oct. 1. The true freshman, now leading the 12th-ranked Monarch's offense, was added to
The 2011 Inaugural Jerry Rice Award Watch List Tuesday. The Atlanta, Ga., native joins four other CAA Football freshmen standouts on the list including New Hampshire's R.J. Harris, Old Dominion's Eriq Lewis, Villanova's Dillon Lucas and Towson's Terrance West.
The award, presented by The Sports Network and sponsored by Fathead.com, will honor the outstanding freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision. A national panel of communications and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will select the award winner after the regular season. The legendary Rice, who played in the FCS (then Division I-AA) at Mississippi Valley State, will present the award at the national awards banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas.
Heinicke, 6-1, 190, replaced an injured DeMarco five games ago and Old Dominion hasn't slowed down. A two-time CAA Rookie of the Week, he's completed 101-of-147 pass attempts for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns with only one interception. This past Saturday he was named the Oyster Bowl's "Most Outstanding Player" earning the Melvin Blassingham Trophy, named after the Shriner Potentate who created the Oyster Bowl back in 1946. Heinicke finished the game with 236 yards completing 22 of his 35 passes with a pair of touchdowns and was the Monarchs' leading rusher with 11 carries for 50 yards.
The new award allows Rice to join three other football legends whose names adorn the top individual awards in the FCS: The Walter Payton (FCS outstanding player) and Eddie Robinson (FCS coach of the year) Awards, which are celebrating their 25th anniversaries this season, and The Buck Buchanan Award (FCS outstanding defensive player) - each sponsored by Fathead.com.
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