Michigan State University Athletics
Linthicum Named CFPA National Tight End of the Week
11/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 14, 2011
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State fifth-year senior Brian Linthicum, who set career highs for receptions (five) and receiving yards (71) in the Spartans' 37-21 victory at Iowa, has been selected College Football Performance Awards' National Tight End of the Week. Linthicum shares the weekly honor with Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert.
Four of his five receptions against the Hawkeyes resulted in first downs. Linthicum's 10-yard grab from Kirk Cousins late in the second quarter set up Le'Veon Bell's 25-yard touchdown run as MSU built a 24-7 lead. Early in the third quarter, his season-long 28-yard reception from wide receiver Keshawn Martin helped set up Dan Conroy's second field goal, a 31-yarder, as the Spartans took a 34-7 lead.
"Brian Linthicum had an outstanding game against Iowa and played an instrumental role in our offense's ability to move the football," MSU offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Dan Roushar said. "He had a great day both at the point of attack and on the backside in our run game. Brian made two explosive plays in the passing games and extended two drives with yards he picked up after contact that got us first downs."
The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Linthicum has started nine of 10 games this season and ranks fourth on the team in receptions with 18 for 205 yards (11.4 avg.). He has caught at least two passes in each of the last five games.
The St. Louis, Mo., native transferred to Michigan State following his freshman (2007) season at Clemson. Linthicum, who has started 22 of 35 career games for the Spartans, has 56 receptions for 701 yards (12.5 avg.) and three TDs.
"Brian is a tremendous competitor who plays with great toughness and determination," Roushar said.
No. 12 Michigan State (8-2 overall, 5-1 Big Ten) entertains Indiana in its home finale Saturday, Nov. 19, with kickoff set for 12 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
