Floyd, Eifert up for big honors

November 15, 2011|by Pete Byrne (pmbyrne@wsbt.com)

Notre Dame senior wide receiver Michael Floyd and junior tight end Tyler Eifert have been named semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award and the Mackey Award, respectively. Floyd is one of 10 finalists for the award given to the nation's best wide receiver, while Eifert is one of eight players still in the running for the country's best tight end award.

Floyd has 77 receptions for 922 yards and seven touchdowns (plus one rushing TD) in 2011. Nationally, he ranks tied for ninth in receptions per game (7.70), ninth in receptions (77), 20th in receiving yards (922) and 23rd in receiving yards per game (92.20). Floyd needs 17 catches to surpass Golden Tate's school record for receptions in a single season. He needs 78 receiving yards to reach 1,000 yards for the second time in his career. He would become the third Irish wide receiver in school history with multiple 1,000-yard seasons (Jeff Samardzija and Golden Tate).

Eifert leads all FBS tight ends in receptions (51) and receptions per game (5.10). He also ranks second in receiving yards (589), receiving yards per catch (11.55; minimum 4.50/game) and receiving yards per game (58.90).

"Really proud of his development physically", coach Brian Kelly said of Eifert today. "Mentally, all the things that go to the will and the want. That's what I'm so pleased about is his desire to want to be the best."

"You know, he's the one who's put in the time in the weight room. He's the one who's mentally got himself in a position where he fights through any injuries and comes back. He's put himself in that position, not because he's athletic and he can run and catch. But he's there every week. And at the tight end position answering the bell every week says a lot about the person"

Eifert has registered a career-best eight catches on three different occasions in 2011 – against Pittsburgh, Air Force and Maryland. He is four receptions shy of setting the NOtre Dame record for receptions in a season by a tight end.

2011 John Mackey Award Semifinalists

Dwayne Allen (Jr., Clemson)

Orson Charles (Jr., Georgia)

Drake Dunsmore (Sr., Northwestern)

Tyler Eifert (Jr., Notre Dame)

Coby Fleener (Sr., Stanford)

Ladarius Green (Sr., Louisiana)

Jacob Pederson (So., Wisconsin)

Nick Provo (Sr., Syracuse)

2011 Biletnikoff Award Semifinalists

Keenan Allen (So., California)

Justin Blackmon (Jr., Oklahoma State)