Mulumba Up For Nations Top Rookie

University of Maine freshman linebacker Christophe Mulumba has been named one of 21 finalist for the Jerry Rice award which honors the best freshman in FCS football.Mulumba leads the Bears with 105 tackles on the season along with 2 sacks and 2 interceptions. The award is voted on by a panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries with the winner to be announced at the FCS awards banquet on December 16.

The 2013 Jerry Rice Award finalists:

Kourtney Berry, Alabama State, Linebacker

11 games: 97 TT (51 solo), 11.5 TFL, 6 Sacks, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 2 QBH, 2 FR

Austin Black, Southeast Missouri State, Defensive Tackle

12 games: 52 TT (30 solo), 9.5 TFL, 4.5 Sacks, 1 QBH, 1 BLK

Dillon Buechel, Duquesne, Quarterback

11 games: 217-of-373, 2,569 yards, 14 TD, 15 INT, 120.4 passing efficiency

Tarik Cohen, North Carolina A&T, Running Back

11 games: 195 carries, 1,148 yards, 8 TD; 11 receptions, 152 yards, 1 TD

Marcus Cox, Appalachian State, Running Back

12 games: 245 carries, 1,250 yards, 15 TD; 43 receptions, 559 yards, 6 TD

Bentlee Critcher, Appalachian State, Punter

12 games: 51 punts, 45.9-yard average, 63 long, 15 inside 20, 18 50 yards-plus

Lawrence Forbes, Morgan State, Punter

12 games: 52 punts, 43.8-yard average, 78 long, 15 inside 20, 11 50 yards-plus

Matt Johnson, Charlotte, Quarterback

11 games: 223-of-371, 2,581 yards, 21 TD, 12 INT, 130.8 passing efficiency; 96 carries, 418 yards, 3 TD

Javancy Jones, Jackson State, Defensive End

10 games: 48 TT (21 solo), 12 TFL, 5 Sacks, 2 PBU, 2 QBH, 1 FF, 1 TD

Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, Wide Receiver

12 games: 77 receptions, 1,378 yards, 18 TD; 121.2 all-purpose yards per game

Christophe Mulumba, Maine, Linebacker

12 games: 105 TT (29 solo), 4 TFL, 1.5 Sacks, 2 INT, 2 PBU, 1 FR

RJ Noel, Sacred Heart, Quarterback

12 games: 167-of-315, 2,037 yards, 23 TD, 7 INT, 127.0 passing efficiency; 119 carries, 665 yards, 7 TD

Donald Payne, Stetson, Safety

11 games: 113 TT (71 solo), 16 TFL, 4.5 Sacks, 2 INT, 12 PBU, 3 QBH, 3 FR, 2 FF, 2 TD

Peter Pujals, Holy Cross, Quarterback

10 games: 211-of-332, 2,261 yards, 19 TD, 8 INT; 136 carries, 469 yards, 8 TD

Drew Reed, Lafayette, Quarterback

7 games: 112-of-152, 1,681 yards, 17 TD, 5 INT, 196.9 passing efficiency; 42 carries, 47 yards

Martin Ruiz, Youngstown State, Running Back

12 games: 192 carries, 1,094 yards, 15 TD; 20 receptions, 256 yards, 2 TD; 132.1 all-purpose yards per game

John Russ, Mercer, Quarterback

12 games: 121-of-233, 1,916 yards, 21 TD, 7 INT, 144.7 passing efficiency; 160 carries, 903 yards, 12 TD

Marquis Smith, Savannah State, Linebacker

12 games: 124 TT (72 solo), 13 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 1 QBH, 2 FR, 2 TD

Gage Steele, James Madison, Linebacker

12 games: 106 TT (43 solo), 5 TFL, 3 Sacks, 5 PBU, 3 FF

C.J. Williams, Bucknell, Running Back

10 games: 212 carries, 899 yards, 8 TD; 12 receptions, 130 yards, 3 TD; 102.9 all-purpose yards per game

Jatavious Wilson, Central Arkansas, Wide Receiver/Kick Returner

12 games: 41 receptions, 409 yards, 2 TD; 11 carries, 88 yards; 19 kick returns, 30.6-yard average, 2 TD; 91.8 all-purpose yards per game