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University of Minnesota Athletics
Williams Named Mackey Award Semifinalist
11/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 17, 2014
No other Mackey semifinalist accounts for a larger percentage of his team's receiving yardage and receiving touchdowns. Among the semifinalists, Williams is tied for first in touchdowns and ranks fourth in average yardage per reception. He is one of two sophomores on the list, and one of two candidates to lead his team in receiving yards.
Williams leads all Big Ten players listed as tight ends in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and receiving yards per game. He ranks second in yards per catch (14.9). Williams is the only conference tight end leading his team in any of the following categories: receptions, receiving yards and receiving yards per game. He is one of four to hold at least a share of the team lead in receiving touchdowns.
Williams holds Minnesota's season record in touchdown receptions by a tight end, and is tied with Ron Johnson for the sophomore receiving touchdown record.
Twice this season, Williams has earned recognition as the John Mackey Tight End of the Week. The first time was after Minnesota's win at Michigan. He made four receptions for 51 yards, including a touchdown and a one-handed catch on the sideline.
Williams was honored again after the win against Iowa in which he became the first Gopher tight end since Ben Utecht (against Louisiana-Lafayette in 2002) to catch three touchdown passes in a game. He was the first to do so against a Big Ten opponent since Jay Carroll (against Ohio State in 1981). Williams also made a diving catch on the sideline to help keep a Gopher drive going.
The John Mackey Award has been presented since 2000 and is part of the National College Football Awards Association. The last Gopher to win the award was Matt Spaeth in 2006.
Maxx Williams has been announced as one of eight semifinalists for the 2014 John Mackey Award, presented annually to the nation's top tight end. The award selection committee will announce its finalists on Nov. 24, and name the recipient on Dec. 10. The trophy will be presented live on Dec. 11 at the Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show.
Williams, a redshirt sophomore, leads Minnesota in receptions (25), receiving yards (373), receiving touchdowns (seven) and receiving yards per game (41.4). He accounts for 27.7 percent of the Golden Gophers' receiving yards, 63.6 percent of their receiving touchdowns and 17.9 percent of their overall touchdowns.
No other Mackey semifinalist accounts for a larger percentage of his team's receiving yardage and receiving touchdowns. Among the semifinalists, Williams is tied for first in touchdowns and ranks fourth in average yardage per reception. He is one of two sophomores on the list, and one of two candidates to lead his team in receiving yards.
Williams leads all Big Ten players listed as tight ends in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and receiving yards per game. He ranks second in yards per catch (14.9). Williams is the only conference tight end leading his team in any of the following categories: receptions, receiving yards and receiving yards per game. He is one of four to hold at least a share of the team lead in receiving touchdowns.
Williams holds Minnesota's season record in touchdown receptions by a tight end, and is tied with Ron Johnson for the sophomore receiving touchdown record.
Twice this season, Williams has earned recognition as the John Mackey Tight End of the Week. The first time was after Minnesota's win at Michigan. He made four receptions for 51 yards, including a touchdown and a one-handed catch on the sideline.
Williams was honored again after the win against Iowa in which he became the first Gopher tight end since Ben Utecht (against Louisiana-Lafayette in 2002) to catch three touchdown passes in a game. He was the first to do so against a Big Ten opponent since Jay Carroll (against Ohio State in 1981). Williams also made a diving catch on the sideline to help keep a Gopher drive going.
The John Mackey Award has been presented since 2000 and is part of the National College Football Awards Association. The last Gopher to win the award was Matt Spaeth in 2006.
2014 John Mackey Award Semifinalists
E.J. Bibbs (Iowa State/Sr.)
Evan Engram (Mississippi/So.)
Ben Koyack (Notre Dame/Sr.)
Jimmay Mundine (Kansas/Sr.)
Nick O'Leary (Florida State/Sr.)
Jean Sifrin (Massachusetts/Jr.)
Clive Walford (Miami/Sr.)
Maxx Williams (Minnesota/So.)
Players Mentioned
Tight End
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