PITTSBURGH - Duquesne freshman running back Billy Lucas (Erie, Pa. / Cathedral Prep) was one of 16 finalists announced on Monday for the Stats Perform FCS Jerry Rice Award, which is presented to the national freshman player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision.

The Rice Award is named for the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver and is celebrating its 10th anniversary season. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is the most prominent winner of the award, and the most recent recipient in 2019, former North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance, is projected to be one of the early selections in the NFL Draft on April 29.

Lucas is the first Duquesne player to be named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award since running back A.J. Hines won the award following the 2016 season.

Lucas, who recently earned Northeast Conference (NEC) Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, recorded 66 carries for 296 yards and two touchdowns on the season, posting two consecutive 100-yard rushing games to close out the year. The Erie, Pa. native toted the ball 26 times for 110 yards and a touchdown in the Dukes' win at Bryant in the regular season finale before tallying 22 carries for 110 yards and a score in the NEC Championship game against Sacred Heart. 

A 40-member national media panel will select the winner from the unprecedented 2020-21 season, which has spanned the fall and spring semesters. The recipient will be announced on May 3.

Also in the next month, Stats Perform will present the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 

2020-21 JERRY RICE AWARD FINALISTS

Bronson Barron, Weber State, QB (Big Sky)

Quinton "Pig" Cage, Nicholls, Nickel (Southland)

Isaac Dowling, Mercer, LB (Southern)

Draylen Ellis, Austin Peay, QB (Ohio Valley)

Ty French, Gardner-Webb, DE (Big South)

Mark Gronowski, South Dakota State, QB (Missouri Valley)

Billy Lucas, Duquesne, RB (Northeast)

Seth Morgan, VMI, QB (Southern)

Tony Muskett, Monmouth, QB (Big South)

Ryan Nettles, Alabama State, QB (SWAC)

Tommy Schuster, North Dakota, QB (Missouri Valley)

Matthew Sluka, Holy Cross, QB (Patriot)

Devon Starling, Tennessee State, RB (Ohio Valley)

Keyon Turner, Valparaiso, CB (Pioneer)

Jared Verse, Albany, DE (CAA)

Cameron Ward, UIW, QB (Southland)