Northwestern University Athletics
Austin Carr Named Richter-Howard Big Ten Receiver of the Year
11/30/2016 5:10:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern senior Austin Carr has been named the Richter-Howard Big Ten Receiver of the Year, becoming the first player in program history to earn the distinguished award.
Carr led the Big Ten in receptions (84), receiving yards (1,196) and receiving touchdowns (12), and is one pace to join Desmond Howard (Michigan, 1990) and Allen Robinson (Penn State, 2012) as the only players since 1990 to lead the league in all three categories. His 12 touchdown receptions have tied the Northwestern single-season record, while his 84 receptions and 1,196 receiving yards are the second most in a season.
The Benicia, California, native set a Northwestern record with a touchdown reception in six-consecutive games from Sept. 10 to Oct. 22. He caught at least four passes in all 12 games and finished the regular season ranked 12th in the country in receiving yards and touchdowns and 13th in receiving yards per game (99.7) and receptions per game (7.0). Carr is also a finalist for the 2016 Burlsworth Trophy.
The Biletnikoff Finalist became the Wildcats' first consensus All-Big Ten First Team selection on offense since Drake Dunsmore in 2011. He was joined on the all-conference offensive squad by junior running back Justin Jackson (first team media/second team coaches) sophomore quarterback Clayton Thorson (honorable mention), sophomore offensive lineman Tommy Doles (honorable mention) and junior superback Garrett Dickerson (honorable mention media).
Jackson earned first-team honors after being named a consensus second-team selection last season. He led the Big Ten with 1,300 rushing yards and set a new career-high with 12 touchdowns. The junior running back became the first player in program history to post 1,000-plus rushing yards in three-straight seasons and already ranks second in program history with 3,905 yards. A native of Carol Stream, Illinois, Jackson posted five 100-yard rushing performances, including a season-high 188 yards and two touchdowns in a 54-40 win at Michigan State. He capped the season with 173 yards and career-high three touchdowns in Northwestern's 42-21 win over Illinois.
Thorson earned honorable mention honors after etching his name in the Northwestern record book by tying the single-season record with 21 touchdown passes. His 2,968 passing yards this season are the most by a NU quarterback in their sophomore season and the fourth most overall with a bowl game still to be played. Thorson threw for over 250 yards in six-consecutive games from Oct. 15 to Nov. 19 and tossed a career-high three touchdown passes five times, becoming the first Northwestern quarterback to accomplish the feat since at least 2000.
Doles started all 12 games for the Wildcats as a redshirt sophomore, including 11 at right guard and the regular-season finale at right tackle. He helped pave the way for the Big Ten's leading rusher in Jackson and helped Chicago's Big Ten Team rank fourth in the conference in passing yards.
Dickerson also earned honorable mention honors for the first time in his career after ranking second among Big Ten tight ends with four touchdowns. He caught a pass in all 12 games and had at least two catches in seven contests. A starter in all 12 games, Dickerson finished the regular season with 29 catches for 272 yards.
The Wildcats' five offensive selections joined yesterday's five defensive/special teams honorees in senior defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo, junior linebacker Anthony Walker, Jr., junior safety Godwin Igwebuike, junior kick returner Solomon Vault and sophomore cornerback Montre Hartage.
Northwestern wrapped up the regular season with a 42-21 win at Ryan Field on Saturday to improve to 6-6 on the year, and await a bowl destination that will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 4.
Carr led the Big Ten in receptions (84), receiving yards (1,196) and receiving touchdowns (12), and is one pace to join Desmond Howard (Michigan, 1990) and Allen Robinson (Penn State, 2012) as the only players since 1990 to lead the league in all three categories. His 12 touchdown receptions have tied the Northwestern single-season record, while his 84 receptions and 1,196 receiving yards are the second most in a season.
The Benicia, California, native set a Northwestern record with a touchdown reception in six-consecutive games from Sept. 10 to Oct. 22. He caught at least four passes in all 12 games and finished the regular season ranked 12th in the country in receiving yards and touchdowns and 13th in receiving yards per game (99.7) and receptions per game (7.0). Carr is also a finalist for the 2016 Burlsworth Trophy.
The Biletnikoff Finalist became the Wildcats' first consensus All-Big Ten First Team selection on offense since Drake Dunsmore in 2011. He was joined on the all-conference offensive squad by junior running back Justin Jackson (first team media/second team coaches) sophomore quarterback Clayton Thorson (honorable mention), sophomore offensive lineman Tommy Doles (honorable mention) and junior superback Garrett Dickerson (honorable mention media).
Jackson earned first-team honors after being named a consensus second-team selection last season. He led the Big Ten with 1,300 rushing yards and set a new career-high with 12 touchdowns. The junior running back became the first player in program history to post 1,000-plus rushing yards in three-straight seasons and already ranks second in program history with 3,905 yards. A native of Carol Stream, Illinois, Jackson posted five 100-yard rushing performances, including a season-high 188 yards and two touchdowns in a 54-40 win at Michigan State. He capped the season with 173 yards and career-high three touchdowns in Northwestern's 42-21 win over Illinois.
Thorson earned honorable mention honors after etching his name in the Northwestern record book by tying the single-season record with 21 touchdown passes. His 2,968 passing yards this season are the most by a NU quarterback in their sophomore season and the fourth most overall with a bowl game still to be played. Thorson threw for over 250 yards in six-consecutive games from Oct. 15 to Nov. 19 and tossed a career-high three touchdown passes five times, becoming the first Northwestern quarterback to accomplish the feat since at least 2000.
Doles started all 12 games for the Wildcats as a redshirt sophomore, including 11 at right guard and the regular-season finale at right tackle. He helped pave the way for the Big Ten's leading rusher in Jackson and helped Chicago's Big Ten Team rank fourth in the conference in passing yards.
Dickerson also earned honorable mention honors for the first time in his career after ranking second among Big Ten tight ends with four touchdowns. He caught a pass in all 12 games and had at least two catches in seven contests. A starter in all 12 games, Dickerson finished the regular season with 29 catches for 272 yards.
The Wildcats' five offensive selections joined yesterday's five defensive/special teams honorees in senior defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo, junior linebacker Anthony Walker, Jr., junior safety Godwin Igwebuike, junior kick returner Solomon Vault and sophomore cornerback Montre Hartage.
Northwestern wrapped up the regular season with a 42-21 win at Ryan Field on Saturday to improve to 6-6 on the year, and await a bowl destination that will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 4.
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