Penn State RB Akeel Lynch looks to take the handoff from QB Christian Hackenberg Photo by: Michael Corsey @ Michael Corsey Photography

Rookie running back claims fourth freshman All-America honor

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; Jan. 11, 2015 – Freshman running back Saquon Barkley (Coplay, Pa.) picked up another Freshman All-American honor with a selection to the Football Writers Association of American (FWAA) team Wednesday. He was also selected as a freshman first team honoree by USA Today and Sporting News, while finding a spot on ESPN.com’s True Freshman All-America team.

Barkley claimed second team All-Big Ten accolades (coaches and media), as well as BTN.com Freshman of the Year honors. He broke the Penn State freshman season rushing record with 1,076 yards, surpassing the mark of 1,002 set by D.J. Dozier in 1983. He produced the 23rd 1,000-yard rushing season by a Nittany Lion and is the 14th player to accomplish the feat. Barkley has five 100-yard rushing performances on the season after clicking off 103 yards at Michigan State.

The native of Coplay, Pennsylvania ranks 34th in FBS in rushing yards per carry (5.91) and rushing yards per game (97.8). He is tied for 11th in FBS and leads the Big Ten in 20-plus yard rushing plays (15). His seven rushing touchdowns are tied with Dozier by the most by a Penn State true freshman. He ranks 41st on Penn State’s career rushing yards list. Barkley tallied 194 rushing yards against the then-No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, becoming just the second back to rush for more than 175 yards at Ohio State since 2000, joining Indiana’s Tevin Coleman (228; 2014).