Oct. 8, 2009
ATLANTA – Notre Dame junior wide receiver Golden Tate has been named the AT&T All-America Player of the Week award following the fifth week of college football action, AT&T announced today.
In the only major college football award chosen exclusively by fans, more than 50 percent of ballots cast went to Tate. He is the second Notre Dame player to be honored this season, joining junior quarterback Jimmy Clausen who was selected following the first week of the season.
Tate (Hendersonville, Tenn.) helped the Irish rally past Washington, 37-30, in overtime last week. He hauled in nine receptions for 244 yards and one touchdown. The 244 yards receiving were the most by a Notre Dame player since Jim Seymour set the school record with 276 against Purdue on Sept. 24, 1966 and second-most in school history. Tate also set the highest single-game receiving total this season in the NCAA FBS. Tate added a 31-yard carry to finish with 275 all-purpose yards, the sixth-most all-purpose yards in Notre Dame history.
University of Texas at El Paso running back Donald Buckram placed second, with University of Maryland linebacker Demetrius Hartsfield and University of Toledo quarterback Aaron Opelt placing third and fourth, respectively. Each of the players was nominated by ESPN based on their outstanding performances last week.
“AT&T congratulates Golden for his tremendous performance for Notre Dame last week, and we wish him the best of luck throughout the season,” said Tim McGhee, executive director, AT&T corporate sponsorships. “College football draws the most passionate fans, and this award gives them the chance to select the AT&T All-America Player of the Week all season long.”
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