Freshman quarterback Matthew Sluka of the Holy Cross football team has been named one of 16 finalists for the Stats Perform FCS Jerry Rice Award. Presented annually by Stats since 2011, the Jerry Rice Award goes to the top freshman in the Division I football championship subdivision.

Sluka was named the Patriot League's Rookie of the Year on April 13. In three games this season, Sluka has carried the ball for 212 yards with four rushing touchdowns; he has also recorded 111 yards on 10-of-14 passing with two touchdowns.

With three total touchdowns against Bucknell on Saturday, April 17, Sluka helped lead the Crusaders to their second consecutive Patriot League title and FCS Playoffs berth. This year, he led the Patriot League with 70.7 rushing yards per game while also averaging 6.8 yards per carry.

The Rice Award is named for the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver. A 40-member national media panel will select the winner for the 2020-21 season, and the recipient will be announced on May 3.

2020-21 Jerry Rice Award Finalists
Bronson Barron, Weber State, QB
Quinton "Pig" Cage, Nicholls, Nickel
Isaac Dowling, Mercer, LB
Draylen Ellis, Austin Peay, QB
Ty French, Gardner-Webb, DE
Mark Gronowski, South Dakota State, QB
Billy Lucas, Duquesne, RB
Seth Morgan, VMI, QB
Tony Muskett, Monmouth, QB
Ryan Nettles, Alabama State, QB
Tommy Schuster, North Dakota, QB
Matthew Sluka, Holy Cross, QB
Devon Starling, Tennessee State, RB
Keyon Turner, Valparaiso, CB
Jared Verse, Albany, DE
Cameron Ward, UIW, QB