Saint Francis (Pa.) receiver, coach up for national awards

Makai Jackson was a three-sport athlete in high school.

It takes that many defensive backs to slow him down sometimes in his chosen sport at St. Francis (Pa.).

Jackson, a freshman wide receiver, is getting noticed for his big-play talent, his 80 receptions and his 11.5 yards-per-catch average.

He is one of 25 finalists for the Jerry Rice Award, which recognizes the top freshman in FCS college football.

Jackson, a Croydon native and a graduate of Harry S. Truman High School, has 80 receptions for 920 yards and eight touchdowns for the Red Flash (9-2), who will open the FCS playoffs Saturday at Delaware.

Jackson leads all freshmen pass-catchers with 83.6 receiving yards and 7.3 catches per game.

He is 12 catches behind Michael Caputo’s Red Flash record of 92 set in 2005.

The Jerry Rice Award is in its 12th season. Based on regular-season performance, the winner will be announced Dec. 7. The recipient will be honored Jan, 7 at the FCS National Awards banquet in Frisco, Texas.

St. Francis coach Chris Villarrial, meanwhile, is a finalist for another award.

Villarrial is one of 16 coaches in line to win the 36th Eddie Robinson Award, presented to the top coach in the FCS.

The winner will be announced Dec. 8.

Villarrial, in his 13th year as coach, guided the Red Flash to their second Northeast Conference title. His 61 wins are a school record.

St. Francis has won a program-record-tying nine straight games.