Heyward-Bey Earns Freshman All-America Honors From The Sporting News
12/8/2006 7:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 8, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The postseason accolades to continue to roll in for University of Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Today he earned a spot on The Sporting News 2006 Freshman All-America first team. He was one of five Atlantic Coast Conference players named to the first team, joining offensive guard Sergio Bender (Virginia Tech), running back C.J. Spiller (Clemson), defensive lineman Jeffrey Fitzgerald (Virginia) and safety Myron Rolle (Florida State).
He was also one of only three receivers in the ACC to receive a nod to any of the three teams or earn honorable mention honors.
For Heyward-Bey, it was his fourth postseason honor over the last 10 days. Last week, he was one of nine Maryland selections to the 2006 All-ACC teams, collecting second-team honors, while earning a spot on the Rivals.com Freshman All-America first team. In addition, he was a first-team choice to The Sporting News All-Freshman ACC squad.
Heyward-Bey has posted team highs of 41 receptions for 613 yards this season with four touchdowns, including a school-record 96 yarder vs. Miami (Nov. 11). His receiving yards rank 17th on the single-season school chart and are the most ever for a freshman.
He sparked the Terps' 14-13 win over the Hurricanes, catching five passes for a career-high 175 yards and two scores. Heyward-Bey also chipped in a 65-yard TD reception in that game and earned ACC Offensive Back of the Week for his efforts.
The native of Silver Spring, Md., ranks sixth in the ACC in receiving yards per game (51.1), including third (63.8) in league contests.
Heyward-Bey and the Terps (8-4, 5-3) are headed to the Champs Sports Bowl to face Purdue on Friday, Dec. 29 at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.
Tickets for the Champs Sports Bowl are available through the Terrapins Ticket Office at 1-800-IM-A-TERP or by visiting the Champs Sports Bowl page.
