CHICAGO – Freshman QB
Keegan Shoemaker has been named to the
STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award Watch List. The award, named after the Hall of Fame wide receiver, has been presented to the top FCS freshman since 2011.
Shoemaker is one of 24 players in the nation being considered for the award. He has started eight games, completing 172-of-277 (62.1 percent) for 2,108 yards and 12 TDs. The Prosper, Texas native has also moved the ball with his feet, accumulating 99 carries for 248 yards with three scores.
Shoemaker's breakout game came in week three against Sacred Heart when he piled up 515 yards of total offense (391 passing, 124 rushing) the fifth-highest single-game output in the nation this season. He was named the STATS National Freshman Player of the Week and the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week following that performance.
The freshman QB is coming off a week in which he was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week for the third time this season, throwing for 309 yards while leading the game-winning drive in a 38-34 final over Fordham on Nov. 2.
The week prior, Shoemaker was selected as the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week (10/28) following a 21-17 win over Bucknell on Oct. 26. In that game, he completed 23-of-27 passes, a season-best 85 percent, for 207 yards and a touchdown while connecting with nine different receivers.
For the season, Shoemaker has completed 62 percent of his passes, a mark that ranks him first in the Patriot League and 30th in the nation. His single-season mark thus far also places him fourth all-time at Lafayette. Shoemaker is first in the conference (32nd in NCAA) in completions per game (19.1), passing yards (2,103) and passing yards per game (233.7) and is second in passing efficiency (131.5). He also ranks first in the Patriot League in total offense (261.1).
Three of the first four recipients to complete their college careers have gone on to the NFL: former Towson running back Terrance West, Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp and Fordham running back Chase Edmonds.
A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the award following the regular season.
Also in the postseason, STATS will present the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
