WR award list has Rebels’ Johnson

Steve Guiremand

Monday, Nov. 1, 2004 | 9:21 a.m.

Steve Guiremand

UNLV senior wide receiver Earvin Johnson has been named one of the 11 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, which is presented annually to college's football's top receiver.

A 6-foot-3, 200-pounder, Johnson, who has caught 43 passes for 585 yards and six touchdowns this season, is one of two players from the Mountain West Conference to make the semifinal round. The other is Colorado State junior David Anderson.

The other semifinalists include Mark Clayton of Oklahoma, Braylon Edwards of Michigan, Derek Hagan of Arizona State, Chris Henry of West Virginia, Santonio Holmes of Ohio State, Chad Owens of Hawaii, Dante Ridgeway of Ball State, Taylor Stubblefield of Purdue and Troy Williamson of South Carolina.

Three finalists will be selected Nov. 15 with the winner to be announced Dec. 9 on the ESPN College Football Awards Show. Pitt's Larry Fitzgerald won the award in 2003.

The Biletnikoff Award is named for College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff and is presented by the Tallahassee (Fla.) Quarterback Club Foundation.

Johnson needs 22 receptions in UNLV's final three games to pass Damon Williams (187 from 1995-98) as the school's career leader and 165 yards to break Williams' career mark of 2,558 receiving yards.

UNLV plays its final home game of the season on Saturday against Wyoming. The game time will be announced today.