COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The USA Football Network, Inc. has named its Division III Receiver of the Year award in honor of former Saint John's University award-winning student-athlete Blake Elliott '03.
In accordance with its 25th anniversary USA College Football Division III Pre-Season All-America teams, USA College Football replicated the awards promoted for Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) programs by the National College Football Awards Association by creating 10 Position Player of the Year Awards named in honor of former Division III standout student-athletes.
Elliott excelled for the Johnnies for four years and ended his career as the recipient of the Gagliardi Trophy and a national championship in 2003; a season that included former head coach John Gagliardi's record-breaking 409th career victory. He owns the NCAA all-divisions record for consecutive games played with a reception (47), three NCAA playoff records, two MIAC records and 29 SJU receiving records. Elliott was a three-time All-American, a two-time MIAC Player of the Year, a Gagliardi Trophy finalist as a junior in 2002, and was invited to play in both the AFCA Aztec Bowl and Hula Bowl following the 2003 season.
He ended his career second all-time in all NCAA divisions in catches (327) and second in NCAA Division III in touchdown receptions (56). Elliott posted 369 receptions for 4,826 yards and 63 touchdowns in his career, as well as 744 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 109 carries (prior to the 2002 season, the NCAA did not recognize playoff-game stats in season or career totals). Elliott was just as dangerous on special teams as he was on the offensive side of the ball, totaling 3,065 yards and seven touchdowns on 195 returns, kickoff and punt combined.
Inaugural USA College Football Division III Awards
-Jim Ballard Trophy (Mount Union) - Division III Quarterback of the Year
-Joe Dudek Trophy (Plymouth State) - Division III Running Back of the Year
-Blake Elliott Trophy (Saint John's) - Division III Receiver of the Year
-Clyde "Bulldog" Turner Trophy (Hardin-Simmons) - Division III Offensive Lineman of the Year
-Pete Metzelaars Trophy (Wabash) - Division III End of the Year
-London Fletcher Trophy (John Carroll) -Division III Linebacker of the Year
-Rocky Myers Trophy (Wesley) - Division III Defensive Back of the Year
-Dave Jennings Trophy (St. Lawrence) - Division III Punter of the Year
-Jeff Schebler Trophy (UW-Whitewater) - Division III Place Kicker of the Year
-Joshua Carter Trophy (Muhlenberg) - Division III Return Specialist of the Year
