Ernie Wheelwright (Penn State)

1 Biography
2 References
3 Related Articles
- 3.1 Recent Ernie Wheelwright (Penn State) ArmchairGM Stories

[edit] Biography

CAREER NOTES: Has started 32 of 37 career games played • has 93 receptions for 1,659 yards • ranks seventh in school history in career receiving yards • ranks tied for second on the school’s career touchdown receptions list with 17 • currently ranks third in school history for average yards per catch at 17.8 • ranks second among all active players with 1,662 career all-purpose yards • Minnesota career Bowl leader with 165 yards receiving and two receiving touchdowns.

2006 • JUNIOR SEASON: Caught 26 passes for 437 yards and five touchdowns • came on late in the season, snagging a touchdown pass in each of the last four games • caught one pass for 15 yards in the season opener at Kent State (8/31) • had two receptions for 29 yards at Cal (9/9) • had three catches for 34 yards at Purdue (9/23) • caught three passes for 31 yards against Michigan (9/30) • moved into the top 10 in school history for career receiving yards with his catch on the first play of the second half against the Wolverines • caught a season-high four passes for 34 yards against Penn State (10/7) • caught three passes for 20 yards at Wisconsin (10/14) • had one catch for 12 yards against NDSU (10/21) • caught his first touchdown of the season and had two TD receptions for the first time in over two years in the game against Indiana (11/4) • finished the game against the Hoosiers with three catches for 116 yards (38.7 ypc), including scoring strikes of 64 and 37 yards • had a 37-yard touchdown reception at Michigan State (11/11) • his one catch against Iowa went for a 64-yard touchdown (11/18) • caught four passes for 45 yards against Texas Tech (12/29) • participated in 483 plays • earned third letter.

2005 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Appeared in all 12 games, starting 10 • finished as the team’s leading receiver in yards with 568 • tied for the team lead with 37 receptions and touchdown receptions with five • Game-by-Game: caught a team-high five passes for 96 yards and a touchdown at Tulsa (9/1) • had two pass receptions for 28 yards vs. Colorado State (9/10) • caught five passes for 35 yards against Purdue (9/24) • caught two balls for 62 yards and had his second touchdown of the year against Penn State (10/1) • caught a team-high three passes for 44 yards and one touchdown against Michigan (10/8) • caught one pass for 32 yards against Wisconsin (10/15) • caught three balls for 50 yards and had his first career rushing attempt vs. Ohio State (10/29) • had three catches for 29 yards against Indiana (11/5) • caught two passes for 26 yards and a touchdown vs. Michigan State (11/12) • had 46 receiving yards on four catches against Iowa (11/19) • had seven catches for a career-high 120 yards against Virginia in the Music City Bowl (12/30) • had a 44-yard touchdown reception against the Cavaliers • participated in 677 plays • earned second letter.

2004 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Second team selection on the 2004 Rivals.com Freshman All-America Team • third team selection on the Sporting News All-Freshman Team • honorable mention All-Big Ten honoree by the media • most productive freshman wideout in the league • explosive receiver who led the Gophers in receiving touchdowns with seven • his first three career receptions went for touchdowns • played in all 12 games, drawing 10 starts • shattered the school’s freshman receiving records for yards and touchdowns • had 30 receptions for 654 yards with seven touchdowns • his 21.8 yards per reception was tops among Big Ten receivers • ranked eighth in the league with 54.5 receiving yards per game • his seven touchdowns rank sixth in school history • Game-by-Game: broke onto the scene with two touchdown receptions, including a 42-yarder, in season opener vs. Toledo (9/4) • followed that with an 80-yard touchdown reception against Illinois State (9/11) • had three catches for 57 yards in the win at Colorado State (9/18) • hauled in three passes for 76 yards vs. Penn State (10/2) • had two catches for 73 yards at Michigan (10/9) • collected three passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns at Michigan State (10/16) • scored from 58 yards and 35 yards out vs. the Spartans • had a 21-yard touchdown reception vs. Illinois (10/23) • had three catches for 72 yards at Indiana (10/30) • collected six receptions for 83 yards and a 10-yard touchdown reception at Wisconsin (11/6) • led the Gophers with four receptions for 42 yards against Iowa (11/13) • participated in 652 plays • earned first letter.

2003: Redshirted.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2003 graduate of Walnut Ridge High School (Ohio) • high school coach was Gary Carter • was all-city, all-conference, all-area and all-state his junior and senior seasons • caught 24 passes for 875 yards and 13 touchdowns his senior season • defensively, totaled 15 pass breakups, intercepted five passes and forced one fumble • returned seven punts for 215 yards and three touchdowns with a long return of 84 yards • also participated in basketball and track.