White’s hands, Lambert’s leg up for national awards

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s Kevin White and Alabama’s Amari Cooper, after combining for 21 catches and 273 yards in the season opener, will meet again next month at the ESPN college awards show.

Both were selected finalists for the Biletnikoff Award on Tuesday, joining Colorado State’s Rashard Higgins. The winner will be announced Dec. 11 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

West Virginia sophomore kicker Josh Lambert will be on hand also, as a finalist for the Lou Groza Award.

“This is truly a dream come true for me,” said White, who ranks third nationally in receptions per game (8.9) and fourth in receiving yards 1,270. “I am very thankful for the opportunity that has been given to me this season.”

With 98 catches overall, White needs 16 to match the West Virginia single-season record shared by Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, the latter of whom was a Biletnikoff finalist in 2012.

“I would like to thank the coaching staff and Clint Trickett for giving me the opportunity and putting me in the position to have such a great season. I specifically want to thank Coach (Dana) Holgorsen and Coach (Lonnie) Galloway for making me work hard, their constant encouragement and for making me into the player that I’ve become this year.”

Along with leading the nation in field goals per game (2.18), Lambert owns two game-winning walk-off kicks against Maryland and Texas Tech. He is 4-of-5 from 50-plus this season, including a 55-yarder that matched Paul Woodside for the school’s longest.

Lambert is tied with fellow Groza finalist Roberto Aguayo of Florida State for 11th nationally in scoring. The other finalist is Maryland’s Brad Craddick, who is 17-of-17 this season, the only kicker still perfect with more than 10 attempts.

“I want to thank Coach Holgorsen and Coach DeForest and my teammates, especially Michael Molinari and John DePalma, because none of this would be possible without them,” Lambert said.

With six more field goals in West Virginia’s final two games, Lambert could equal Woodside’s single-season mark of 30.

“We all know what contributions Josh has made to our team this year,” said Holgorsen. “His big kicks at Maryland and Texas Tech showed what he can do in pressure situations.”





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