Kick returner/wide receiver Earnest Edwards shown here in a game earlier this season in Orono against Rhode Island took home some end of the season awards this week. Photo by Anthony DelMonaco.
Maine kick return specialist and wide receiver Earnest ‘Electric’ Edwards garnered some awards for his accomplishments on the field for the University of Maine Black Bears football team this week.
On Monday Edwards was named a first team All-American kick returner by HERO Sports. Tuesday he was then named to the FCS All-American second team as a kick returning specialist. These honors add to the ones already received by Edwards which includes the CAA Special Teams player of the year, two selections to the All-CAA first team both as a kick returner and wide receiver, and a spot on the 2019 New England Football Writers College Division All-New England team also as a kick return specialist.
After all was said and done the senior finished his career at Maine as the all-time leader in kick return yards (2,311), kick return touchdowns (6), and total kick returns (90). This past season he led the FCS in average return yards per return with 28.5 yards per try. His two kick returns for touchdowns earlier this season at Colgate were number one in the nation, while his average all-purpose yards per game (169.4) were third nationally and first in the CAA. Edwards also became the all-time leader in receiving yards in school history with 60 yards in a season ending loss at UNH putting him at 2,625.
