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OGDEN — Weber State’s run in the FCS playoffs ended Friday with a home loss to Maine.
But the Wildcats’ run in the national awards continued Tuesday.
Weber State running back Josh Davis was named the Jerry Rice Award winner, given to the FCS national freshman of the year, the organization announced Tuesday.
“To me, all of these accomplishments aren’t about me,” Davis told the Associated Press. “All of my honors are as much our offensive line and our receivers as they are mine. I don’t do anything but see the holes they give me and try to hit them.
“I have a great line, great fullbacks and great receivers blocking for me — and I’m just trying to make the most of it.”
The former Alta High star is the first recipient of the award in program history, and just the second Wildcat to win a national award from STATS, which sponsors the award. Jamie Martin won the Walter Payton award in 1991, an award given annually to the most outstanding offensive player in FCS football and sometimes called “the FCS Heisman.”
“This is such a prestigious honor for Josh and for Weber State football,” Wildcats coach Jay Hill said in a statement. “He worked so hard this year and took on such a load for us, and was an absolute warrior for us this season. He had an incredible freshman year and has a very, very bright future.”
In his first full season of collegiate eligibility, the redshirt freshman tailback led the Wildcats to a 10-3 overall record, a second-straight Big Sky title, and a top-three national ranking en route to the FCS quarterfinals.
Davis set a Weber State freshman record with 1,362 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 250 carries, while also adding 30 receptions for 193 yards and 14 punt returns for 224 yards and a touchdown.
Davis’ 1,779 all-purpose yards are the most-ever by a Weber State freshman and seventh-most in program history.
In addition to the FCS national award, Davis also won Big Sky freshman of the year and first-team all-Big Sky honors. He’ll receive the Jerry Rice Award at the STATS FCS banquet on the eve of the FCS title game, Jan. 4, 2019 in Frisco, Texas.
