Senior Receiver Set All-Time FBS Receptions Record Against Tulane
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – East
Carolina senior receiver Justin Hardy has been named one of three finalists for
the 5th Annual Burlsworth Trophy, which is given to the collegiate player who
began their career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the
field.
Along with Hardy, Iowa’s Mark Weisman (running back) and
Mississippi State’s Ben Beckwith (guard) were also named finalists. The three
were chosen from 55 nominees from across the nation and last week was narrowed
to 10 semifinalists.
A four-year starter at wide receiver, Hardy set the NCAA FBS
record for career receptions against Tulane in a 34-6 win in American Athletic
Conference action on Nov. 22nd. Hardy’s pursuit of former Oklahoma pass catcher
Ryan Broyles’ (2008-11) mark of 349 ended with an eight-yard grab on a
second-and-five play from the Green Wave 38-yard line with six minutes
remaining in the second quarter. Needing just four catches to surpass the
standard, he finished the contest with a game-high nine receptions for 104
yards to post his 15th career triple-digit performance.
Hardy, who owns ECU career records for receptions (355),
receiving yards (4,153) and touchdown catches (32), has nabbed at least two
catches in all 46 career games played, recorded 13 double-digit career
reception games, and hauled down at least one TD pass in 28 contests.
The Vanceboro, N.C. native is the lone Pirate receiver to
post three-straight 1,000-yard seasons (1,105 in 2012, 1,284 in 2013, 1,106 in
2014), and against Cincinnati became just the 16th player in FBS history with
4,000-plus receiving yards, which came on a 31-yard reception in the third
quarter – currently ranks 13th on the all-time FBS list. He currently stands
among the FBS leaders (Top 35) in receptions per game (4th/8.9 pg), receiving
yards per game (8th/110.6 pg), receiving yards (11th/1,106) and receiving TDs
(31st/7).
A two-time First-Team All-Conference USA receiver, Hardy
hauled down an ECU and league-best 114 passes for 1,284 yards a year ago to
establish new single-season Pirate records to go along with his eight
touchdowns. Against Tulane, he caught a single-game school record 17 balls for
230 yards, besting his 16-catch, 191-yard game in the season opener against Old
Dominion. At the conclusion of his junior year, he was the only player in
league history to have multiple 16-plus catches in a game (three times), and
his 17 receptions against the Green Wave are tied for third all-time.
As a walk-on in 2010, Hardy served as a valuable member of
the scout teams while redshirting during his initial season. After receiving a
full scholarship the following spring, he had a breakout year during his first
season on the active roster by setting ECU freshman records with 64 receptions
and 658 yards, while tying the TD mark with six.
During sophomore season, he earned First-Team All C-USA
honors as a receiver and was a second-team choice as a punt returner. He became
just the fourth receiver in school history to reach the 1,000-yard mark in a
single-season, which ranks fifth all-time. Hardy also ranked among the school's
single-season leaders in receiving TDs (2nd/11) and receptions (3rd/88).
The trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, who
walked on to the Arkansas Razorbacks in 1994, worked his way to being a
three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth
was selected as the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL
Draft but was killed in a car accident 11 days later. The Burlsworth Foundation
was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of
children, in particular those children that have limited opportunities.
The Springdale Rotary Club will host a banquet on Dec. 8th
in Springdale, Ark. to honor the finalists and to announce the 2014 winner.
FAN VOTING
Fans will be allowed to vote for their favorite player via
the Fan Vote. Voting can be accessed at www.burlsworthtrophy.com and began
with the top 10 semifinalists and continue as the selection committee announces
the winner on Dec. 8. Fans are limited to one vote per day, and the voting will
conclude on Dec. 7 at midnight (CST). The Fan Vote counts as five percent
during each round of voting, and it is combined with the results from the
Selection Committee. Fans can cast their vote for the nation’s most outstanding
player who began his career as a walk-on once per day. Fan Vote totals are
cleared after each round.
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