Running back Saquon Barkley and place kicker Joey Julius were awarded a spot on the BTN.com All-Freshman Team on Wednesday because of their performances this season. BTN.com named Saquon Barkley Freshman of the Year on Sunday, so it was no surprise he picked up another award for his prowess.

Barkley rushed for 1,007 yards this season, breaking the freshman record for total rushing yards set by D.J. Dozier in 1983 with 1,002 yards. Barkley still has one more game left since Penn State is bowl eligible again. Barkley tallied five 100 yard games and averaged an impressive 6.1 yards per carry and 100.7 yards per game. In many games, Barkley carried the Nittany Lions on his back while producing some of the most exciting plays of the season. He rushed for 194 yards against Ohio State in Columbus, and became only the second back to rush for more than 175 yards against Ohio State since 2000. Barkley also became famous for leaping over defenders on multiple occasions this year, making him one of the most exciting backs to watch.

Even though Joey Julius was replaced by Tyler Davis midway through the season, he also put up impressive enough numbers to earn himself a spot on the BTN.com All-Freshman Team. The redshirt freshman led the team in scoring with 50 points and he was 10 for 12 on field goals, which was good for the second-best average in the Big Ten. He also recorded 21 touchbacks and an average kickoff of 63.2 yards. In the Nittany Lions’ win over San Diego State, Julius was a perfect three for three with a long of 40 yards. Against Maryland, he also made a 40-yard field goal at the end of the first half to help solidify a win for Penn State.

Both players’ performances this year helped Penn State in many of its seven wins, and both helped the Nittany Lions to become bowl eligible for the second straight year. The bowl game and opponent Penn State awaits will be announced this Sunday, December 6.

About the Author

Matt Coleman

Matt Coleman is a writer for Onward State. His hometown is North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, a little under an hour from Pittsburgh. He is a sophomore majoring in Natural Resource Engineering in Biological Engineering. Please e-mail questions and comments to matt@onwardstate.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @cole_man2.

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