Roosevelt Named To Biletnikoff "Watch List"

Buffalo native, who had 104 receptions last year, is one of 37 players on list

Naaman Roosevelt

BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo senior wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt became the latest Bull to find himself on a watch list for a national college football award.

Roosevelt was among 37 players cited on the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top wide receiver, at the conclusion of the college football season. Last week fellow Western New York native, senior running back James Starks, was named to the Doak Walker Trophy watch list, given annually to the top running back in the nation.

Roosevelt is coming off a record-breaking junior season in which he caught 104 passes for 1,402 yards and 13 touchdowns. All three of those marks were single-season school records. In the MAC Championship game last December, Roosevelt caught a career-high three touchdown passes in Buffalo's 42-24 upset victory over #12-ranked Ball State.

“I am thrilled to hear that Naaman is getting this kind of recognition,” said head coach Turner Gill. “It is tremendous for our program, and for those two individuals, to see them being rightfully recognized as one of the best players in the country at their positions. The fact that they are both from the Western New York area also speaks volumes about the talent that is being produced in this region.”

Roosevelt enters his senior season second to all-time great Drew Haddad in both receptions (198) and receiving yards (2,597) and with his first touchdown of the 2009 season, would break the record for career touchdowns by a receiver (currently 19). He also ranks third all-time in all-purpose yardage (4,226) behind Alan Bell (1989-92) and Haddad (1996-99).

The Bulls will open the 2009 campaign at UTEP on Saturday, September 5, with the home opener set for Saturday, September 12 versus Pittsburgh at 12 noon at UB Stadium. Season and individual tickets can be purchased by calling 1-877-UB-THERE.