UIW’s Cameron Ward Takes Home Stats Perform Jerry Rice Award
CHICAGO – UIW quarterback Cameron Ward is the recipient of the 2020-21 Stats Perform FCS Jerry Rice Award as the FCS’ top freshman, the organization announced Monday.
Named for the Pro and College Football Hall of Fame wide receiver and in its 10
th year, Ward will be honored on an FCS National Awards show to air on Bally Sports Regional Networks (formerly Fox Sports Regional Networks) on Saturday, May 15 – the eve of the national championship game.
Ward was crowned the Southland Spring Freshman of the Year after pacing FCS quarterbacks and setting a program record with 24 touchdown passes in his rookie campaign. Named Stats Perform FCS National Freshman of the Week twice, he ranked second among FCS student-athletes in points responsible for per game (26.3).
The West Columbia, Texas, native finished third nationally in completions per game (30.50) and passing yards per game (376.7), and fourth in total offense per game (377). In back-to-back contests against Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls, Ward topped 400 yards and threw for a program-record six touchdowns in each and added a seventh touchdown on the ground versus the Colonels.
Ward becomes the first Southland Conference student-athlete to claim the award and joins former recipients such as NFL star Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington) and Trey Lance (North Dakota State), the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.