BGSU's Barnes selected to FWAA All-America first team

12/15/2009

BOWLING GREEN - Bowling Green State University's record-setting wide receiver Freddie Barnes was named to the Football Writers Association of America All-America first team.

Barnes, who has a nation-leading 138 catches for 1,551 yards, including 16 touchdowns, became the first BG player to receive such recognition since place kicker Brian Leaver was named to the Associated Press All-America first team in 1994.

Barnes' single-season receptions total is four shy of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) record and ranks tied for third most in history. He pulled in a BG single-game record 22 catches for 278 yards in a 36-35 victory at Kent State.

The FWAA All-America Team is the second-longest continuously-published team in major college football. The FWAA has named an All-America team in some form since 1944.

The Falcons will play Dec. 30 in the Humanitarian Bowl against Idaho.