Justin Hardy deserves better

By Brian Bailey
©2014 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.

Justin Hardy has been snubbed.

East Carolina's spectacular receiver will most likely set the all-time NCAA record for career receptions this week when the Pirates host Tulane. Hardy needs just four catches to break the record set by Ryan Broyles of Oklahoma in 2011.

Hardy has 80 catches this season for 1,002 yards and seven touchdowns.

Still, he was snubbed by the Biletnikoff Award on its list of the 10 national semifinalists for the award that goes to the nation’s top receiver.

Here is that official list from the NBC Sports College Football Talk web site:

 • Nelson Agholor (USC): 82 catches, 1,079 yards, 10 TDs

 • Amari Cooper (Alabama): 87 catches, 1,303 yards*, 11 TDs

 • Rashad Greene (Florida State): 75 catches, 1,042 yards, 5 TDs

 • Rashard Higgins (Colorado State): 67 catches, 1,280 yards, 13 TDs*

 • Tyler Lockett (K-State): 60 catches, 878 yards, 6 TDs

 • Vince Mayle (Washington State): 86 catches, 1,152 yards, 9 TDs

 • Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma): 50 catches, 957 yards, 5 TDs

 • Nelson Spruce (Colorado): 99 catches*, 1,091 yards, 11 TDs

 • Jaelen Strong (Arizona State): 71 catches, 982 yards, 9 TDs

 • Kevin White (West Virginia): 91 catches, 1,207 yards, 8 TDs

 *Denotes Football Bowl Subdivision leader

Obviously Hardy was a long shot to win the award because of the likes of Amari Cooper from Alabama and Rashad Greene from Florida State. Still, Hardy deserved to make the top 10 and his snub didn’t go unnoticed.

“He’s not!?,” exclaimed Pirate head coach Ruffin McNeill when asked about the snub at his weekly news conference on Monday. “That’s the most idiotic thing I have ever heard in my life that they would not put that young man on there. What are you looking for? A student? He already graduated. We had an academic meeting today and tried to find out how he can make the Dean’s List.

"He’s getting ready to break the all-time receptions record. I’m not the smartest guy in the world, but here is a ‘C,’ here is an ‘A’ and I think there’s a ‘T’ around here somewhere (and) that spells CAT.

"Justin Hardy isn’t on there? I don’t know who is picking that. I hope these words get back to whoever didn’t choose him and my number is right here. I’m here all day.”

Rarely does Coach Ruff react to something like that, especially when it’s an individual deal. McNeill preaches team and family. He also wants his “boys” to get the recognition they deserve. Ruff doesn’t buy into the ‘big name’ philosophy that goes into so much of college football.

“There is respect and disrespect,” said McNeill. “When you’re young, you probably deserve some, but when you respect others then, in theory, they should respect you. And we respect all. So in turn, maybe it’s naïve, but I expect respect to our university, our athletic program and our kids. When it doesn’t happen, I’m going to stand up for them. I want somebody to challenge me on that. I’m the easiest guy to find.”

After back to back losses for the Pirates, East Carolina now grasps at other goals, like winning out. Tulane is up first and the Pirates lost to the Green Wave last year in New Orleans in triple overtime.

The Pirate coach says last year’s outcome won’t be discussed heading into this matchup.

“I look at Tulane as a chance to get back on the field and get a win,” explained McNeill. “It’s about being ready to get that taste (winning) back in our mouths. These guys are used to winning and they have a chance to accomplish some things as a group of seniors that may have never been done before.

"The preparation that gives us a chance to be successful on Saturday is what I’ll focus on, but I won’t bring up anything that happened last year.”

Saturday is Military Appreciation Day at East Carolina. The weather is expected to be fairly nice and it’s the final chance for a Saturday tailgate.

Here’s hoping that Hardy gets that record early in the game, and the Pirates get back on the winning trail.

BB

E-mail Brian Bailey.