Sports Network ReleaseBronx, N.Y. (October 8, 2014) – Fordham University freshman running back
Chase Edmonds was named to the 2014 Rice Award Watch List it was announced today by The Sports Network. Edmonds is one of 21 NCAA FCS players named to the list, the lone representative from the Patriot League.
The top first-year player in the FCS, whether a true freshman or a redshirt freshman, will win the award named for the legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice, who played in the FCS (then Division I-AA) at Mississippi Valley State. The award will be voted on by a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season.
Edmonds, who has earned Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors for five of the first six weeks of the season, leads the NCAA FCS in all-purpose yardage, averaging 212.7 yards/game while also tying for the national lead in rushing touchdowns with ten. On the year, he has rushed 128 times for 910 yards (7.1 yards/carry) with the ten scores. He leads the Patriot League and is fifth in the NCAA FCS in rushing yards/game (151.7). Edmonds also leads the conference and is third nationally in rushing yards (910) and has topped 140 yards rushing in five of his first six games.
Edmonds set a school freshman record with 231-yard rushing performance earlier this year against Rhode Island, scoring four touchdowns in the contest and earning Sports Network Rookie of the Week honors. He broke the school freshman single game rushing record of Darren Wallace, who gained 198 yards against Brown in 1990. He also has already set the school single season rushing record and is looking to become the first Fordham rookie to amass 1,000 rushing yards in a season.
The #14/18 Rams (5-1, 2-0 Patriot League) return to action on Saturday, October 11, as they host the Penn Quakers on Jack Coffey Field at 1:00 p.m.
