BOISE, Idaho — Senior wide receiver Freddie Barnes smashed the NCAA record for receptions in a season during Wednesday’s Humanitarian Bowl.
Needing just five receptions to break Manny Hazard’s 1989 record of 142, Barnes did far greater, grabbing 17 catches for 219 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-42 loss to the University of Idaho, giving him 155 receptions on the season.
The record-breaking reception came late in the first quarter after Barnes made a catch at the Idaho 43-yard line for a 7-yard gain.
“It doesn’t mean too much to me. I like winning a lot more than records,” the always-humble Barnes said. “It’s a great honor to have me and BGSU up there in the records books. I love Bowling Green. I went through a lot, but as I said before, it makes you stronger.”
The number of catches Barnes earned was a bit surprising considering the Vandals had more than a month’s time to devise a game plan to stop him. Most thought he would break the record but an obliteration was not really expected.
“I’m a little [surprised] because of the season he’s had and the game he was having that they weren’t double or triple covering him,” said senior quarterback Tyler Sheehan. “They were sticking to their game plan.”
Barnes caught at least 10 passes in eight of 12 regular season games. His worst output was against Boise State when he had four receptions, but he still averaged 11.9 receptions per game in 2009.
First-year coach Dave Clawson was also a bit surprised the Vandals allowed Barnes to have so many receptions.
“We’ve gone to him all year. Everybody knows it coming,” Clawson said. “We’re certainly proud of him.”
But Barnes was just sticking to the game plan, which allowed him to make several receptions in wide open space, including two of his touchdowns.
Barnes, who doesn’t hide the fact he’s religious, said a higher power was on his side during the game.
“The thing I’d say about the game is that God was with me the entire game,” Barnes said. “Every play, I’m praying for strength and asking Him to allow me to make plays for my teammates.”
And that is something Barnes has done all season.
He made memorable game-winning touchdown catches against Kent State and Buffalo and countless highlight-reel grabs for both touchdowns and first downs.
A Fred Biletnikoff Award finalist, Barnes was honored in Orlando on ESPN for his season, which recorded a final stat line of 155 receptions for 1,770 yards and 19 touchdowns, which averages to just more than 136 yards and just fewer than 1.5 touchdowns per game.
Those numbers are easily the finest any Falcon wide receiver has ever posted, as all three marks are clearly defined school records.
In addition, Barnes’ numbers gave Idaho coach Robb Akey something to think about before the game.
“I’d love to see that happen with five hitches for five total yards,” Akey said on Monday. “That would make me happy. He could have a record and we could all be happy.”
He was true to his word, as after the game Akey had nothing but praise for the potential NFL draft choice.
“The guy is the real deal,” Akey said. “Seventeen catches? He’s got to be tired right now. I knew he would get the record, but I hoped it would be five 1-yard hitches. [Sheehan is] a good player able to get the ball to him.”
