NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Running back Joshua Pitsenberger made quite an impact in his first season with the Yale football team. His success did not go unnoticed. Pitsenberger has been selected as one of 25 FCS finalists for the 2022 Stats Perform Jerry Rice Award, which is presented to the national freshman of the year in college football's Division I subdivision.
 
Pitsenberger helped the Bulldogs lead the Ivy League in rushing offense. His 667 yards were fourth in the league, and he was a four-time Ivy Rookie of the Week selection. His top performance came against Princeton when he ran for 108 yards, one of six games where he ran for at least 80 yards. In addition, he led the team with seven rushing touchdowns.
 
The Rice Award, now in its 12th season, is named after legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice, who starred at Mississippi Valley State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past recipients include NFL players Cooper Kupp, Chase Edmonds and Trey Lance.
 
Pitsenberger helped Yale capture the Ivy League title for the third time in five seasons with an 8-2 overall record and a 6-1 Ivy mark.
 
The 2022 Stats Perform Jerry Rice Award finalists:
 
Quarterback
Cade Chambers, Indiana State
Brady Meitz, Stetson
Gevani McCoy, Idaho,
Reese Poffenbarger, UAlbany
Noah Walters, North Alabama
 
Running Back
Ryan Butler, Princeton
Marquis Gillis, Delaware State
Ismail Mahdi, Houston Baptist
Joshua Pitsenberger, Yale
Sam Franklin, UT Martin
Desmond Reid, Western Carolina
Jerrell Wimbley, Stephen F. Austin
 
Wide Receiver
Seth Anderson, Charleston Southern
Makai Jackson, Saint Francis
 
Defensive Line
Finn Claypool, Drake
Eric O'Neill, LIU
 
Linebacker
Kohner Cullimore, Southern Utah
Mason Woods, Towson
 
Defensive Back
Wedner Cadet, Georgetown
Rex Connors, UC Davis
Eli Ennis, Nicholls
Travis Hunter, Jackson State
Jalen Jones, William & Mary
Adrian Maddox, Alabama State
 
Punter
Patrick Rohrbach, Montana