University Park, Pa. — Penn State senior wide receiver Derek Moye (Rochester) has been named to the 2011 Biletnikoff Award Watch List. The Biletnikoff Award honors college football’s top wide receiver and was first awarded to Penn State All-American Bobby Engram in 1994.
A pre-season first team All-Big Ten honoree, Moye led the Nittany Lions in 2010 with 53 catches for 885 yards. He tallied eight touchdowns, catching at least one scoring strike in seven of the last eight games. Moye was named 2010 honorable mention all-conference after averaging 16.7 yards per catch, which was second highest in the Big Ten. His 68.1-yards per game was good for fifth in the league.
Moye enters the season ranked 11th in Penn State annals with 104 receptions and 1,741 receiving yards. The former Rochester High School all-stater needs 22 catches and 266 yards to move into the top five in each category.
The 6-5 Moye is interning this summer with the State College Spikes Class A baseball team and is on schedule to graduate in December.
Established in 1994, Biletnikoff Award candidates must display leadership and self-discipline, have a significant positive impact on his team’s success as well as have a desire and commitment to be the best player he can be.
Sponsored by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club (TQC) Foundation, the award is named for Fred Biletnikoff, a standout wide receiver for Florida State and the NFL’s Oakland Raiders. Biletnikoff is the fourth all-time leading receiver in NFL history and is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Finalists for the Biletnikoff Award will be named in November with a winner being announced in December. Members of the media and former players will vote on the winner.
The Nittany Lions return 41 letterwinners and 15 starters for the 2011 season, (7 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist), as well as 17 players that have starting experience. Penn State opens its 125th season Sept. 3 vs. Indiana State in Beaver Stadium and Alabama visits Happy Valley on Sept. 10 (3:30 p.m. kick) for the first time since 1989. All Penn State fans are encouraged to wear white to the Alabama game.
Penn State Football season tickets are available. The 2011 season ticket application is available online at www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets or get information by calling Penn State Athletics Customer Relations at 1-800-NITTANY (648-8269) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m-5 p.m.