by For the past three weeks, Montana head coach Bob Stitt has been asked one question over and over again: When’s Jerry coming back?
After dealing with an injury, the answer to that question is not so simple. But now fans and national selectors alike are waiting to find out the answer.
Redshirt Freshman wide receiver Jerry Louie-McGee (Coeur d’Alene Tribe) is one of 17 freshman standouts on the STATS FCS National Freshman of the Year watch list the newsgathering service announced Tuesday.
Louie-McGee has become an instant sensation in just four games of college football for the Griz. His breakout performance came in week two of the season at Northern Iowa when he ran back an 81-yard punt return to spark a Montana win on the road. For his effort, he was named the STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week soon after.
He followed that performance up by shattering the school record and tying the Big Sky record for pass receptions in a game with 21 for 155 yards and two touchdowns at Cal Poly. He then posted his second 100-plus yard game in a row with 118 yards through the air against Southern Utah before being sidelined with an injury.
Even with just four games under his belt, the 5-foot-9 freshman from Coeur d’Alene Idaho sits third on Montana’s top receivers list with 366 yards this season.
Louie-McGee is still listed as day-to-day for the Griz and will return to action upon being cleared by the Montana athletic training staff.
A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the FCS freshman player of the year following the regular season. True and redshirt freshmen are eligible for the award.
Jerry Louie-McGee, Montana, WR, 5-9, 168, Coeur d’Alenee, Idaho
Tied the Big Sky record with 21 receptions against Cal Poly in his third career game.
2016 Statistics: 41 receptions, 366 yards, 2 TDs; 7 KR, 153 yards, 21.9 ypr; 8 PR, 154 yards, 1 TD, 19.2 ypr (4 games)
