Blankenship, Mote named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech junior deep snapper Reeves Blankenship and junior offensive lineman Joshua Mote were two of 93 FBS college football players named to the 2021 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List as announced on Thursday.

The Wuerffel Trophy is known as “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service.”

Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from the University of Florida, Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented in February annually in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The trophy exists to honor college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society and inspire greater service in the world.

Blankenship and Mote have each accumulated the most community service hours on the football team while at LA Tech.

Blankenship has participated in various community service projects such as the Special Olympics, Willis-Knighton, Night to Shine and virtual student teaching. Mote’s community service projects include Willis-Knighton, Night To Shine, Buddy Ball, Special Olympics, Big Event and the voting registration drive.

Blankenship appeared in nine games as Louisiana Tech’s starting deep snapper in the 2020 season where he earned all-conference second team honors by both Conference USA and Phil Steele. He helped Tech not give up a blocked field goal and had only one blocked punt during the campaign. The Springfield, La., native helped redshirt freshman kicker/punter Jacob Barnes go 12-for-14 in field goals, including the game-winning 35-yarder in double overtime against UAB (Oct. 31). Blankenship also helped Barnes average 37.24 yards per punt in the 2020 season.

Mote was named to the 2021 Conference USA Preseason Watch List after being an all-Conference USA honorable mention and a Phil Steele All-Conference USA Fourth Team honoree in 2020. He was part of an offensive front that ranked first in C-USA and second in the FBS in fourth down conversions at 88.9 percent (16-of-18). The native of Oak Grove, La., helped the offense rank fourth in C-USA and 53rd in the FBS in red zone offense at 84.6 percent (33-of-39). Mote assisted the offense in averaging 315.8 yards of total offense, including a 216.6 passing yard average and a 99.2 rushing yard average.

The Wuerffel Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast more than 800 recipients, dating back to 1935.

Louisiana Tech opens the 2021 season at Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 4, at 3 p.m. Tech will then open a three-game home stretch against Southeastern on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m. inside Joe Aillet Stadium.

Season tickets for the 2021 Louisiana Tech football season are on sale now. Fans can purchase season tickets online at LATechSports.com/tickets or by calling the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631.

Three-game mini plan tickets for the 2021 LA Tech football campaign are also on sale and available for purchase here.

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