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Football: Green Named Mackey Semifinalist – Bustle Statement About Short List FollowedAfter a six catch, 111 yard performance at Florida Atlantic on Saturday, Louisiana junior tight end Ladarius Green has been named a semifinalist for the 2010 John Mackey Award. The John Mackey Award is given annually to the nation’s top collegiate tight end. Some previous winners include Dallas Clark, Kellen Winslow, Heath Miller, Marcedes Lewis and Aaron Hernandez. Green was a part of the Preseason and Midseason Watch Lists for the award and is one of eight semifinalists. The eight will be trimmed to three finalists on Monday, November 22. Green ranks first among the eight semifinalists in touchdowns (5), yards per game (71.4), yards per reception (17.8), longest reception (63) and games with 80 or more receiving yards (5). He is also second in receiving yards with 571, just 15 yards shy of first. Green is the Cajuns career leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns amongst tight ends. He is also just two receiving yards short of the career Top 10 for all Cajuns pass catchers. His 12 career receiving touchdowns are already in UL’s all-time Top 5. Green will be back on the field this Saturday as the Cajuns host FIU at Cajun Field at 6:00 p.m. The contest will mark the final home game of 2010 for Green and UL. — Ragin’ Cajuns —
On short list
The Mackey Award is given annually to the nation’s top tight end. The three finalists will be named Nov. 22. The winner will be announced Dec. 9. "I believe he ought to win it," Bustle said. "I think he is one of the most versatile tight ends in the country. He’s a productive guy. I am really proud for him." Green certainly stands out among the eight semifinalists. Despite missing two games with an ankle injury, Green leads that group in touchdown catches (five), receiving yards per game (71.4), yards per reception (17.8), 80-yard receiving games (five) and longest catch (63 yards). The Pensacola, Fla., native is second with 571 receiving yards behind Missouri junior Michael Egnew, who has 586 yards on 71 catches in 10 games. Last week, Green had 111 yards and one touchdown on six catches in a 24-23 loss at Florida Atlantic. "I think he deserves to win that award," said UL quarterback Blaine Gautier. "Ladarius is a heck of a player. A lot of times, when we’re in trouble I believe we should just throw the ball up to him, and he’ll come down with it 100 percent. He shows a lot of effort in practice and games. He’s like a freak. He’s a great guy to be around. He’s a positive leader on this team, and I hope he wins the award. "In my opinion, nobody deserves it more than he does." Green has set a career high in receiving yards this season and tied a personal best with 32 catches and five TD receptions. With three more yards he would move into 10th place in school history for career receiving yards. His 12 career TD catches is tied for fifth in school history. Green, Egnew, North Carolina State’s George Bryan, Idaho’s Daniel Hardy, Wisconsin senior Lance Kendricks, Iowa’s Allen Reisner, Tennessee’s Luke Stocker and Arkansas’ D.J. Williams are the eight semifinalists for the Mackey Award. Hardy, Kendricks, Reisner, Stocker and Williams are seniors. Green, Egnew and Bryan are juniors. "That means a lot to me," said Green, a member of the Mackey Award preseason and midseason watch lists this season. "It shows that people think that I’m trying hard and working hard. It means a lot to know that people think I’m good enough to make that list." UL cornerback Dwight Bentley was happy to hear the good news about the fellow Florida native. Bentley is from Pahokee. "I’m glad for him," Bentley said of Green. "He put in the hard work and deserves it. He goes out every Saturday and puts in the work in practice and in the weight room and in the summer. When you do things like that, that’s what you get rewarded with."
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