MOBILE, Ala. — Harold Fannin, Jr., showed on Thursday night why he was a consensus All-American for the 2024 season.
Although the result of the 68 Ventures Bowl didn’t go Bowling Green State University’s way with a 38-31 loss to Arkansas State, the Falcons’ star tight end put up a mind-boggling performance.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior was unstoppable in not only setting career highs for receptions and receiving yards, but breaking multiple FBS records as well. Fannin was named the game’s MVP after finishing with 17 receptions for 213 yards and one touchdown.
“He’s the best tight end in the country,” BGSU coach Scot Loeffler said. “We do a great job of game planning to help him, there’s no doubt about it, and there’s a lot of really good players around him that have helped him.
“But he’s a different talent. If he continues to mature the way that he has and keeps growing, he’s going to play a long time.”
Fannin’s memorable night started in the first quarter when his 23-yard reception pushed him past Jace Amaro for the FBS single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end. A 7-yard catch midway through the third quarter resulted in him breaking James Casey’s FBS single-season record for receptions by a tight end.
Fannin needed 11 yards and 12 receptions to set the records as Amaro tallied 1,352 yards for Texas Tech in 2013 and Casey 111 receptions for Rice in 2008. Fannin, the first consensus All-American in BGSU football history, finished the season with 117 receptions, 1,555 yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns (11 total).
“It means a lot,” Fannin said. “I just feel blessed, grateful. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and my coaches just trusting me to go out there and perform.”
Fannin’s nine receptions per game and 119.6 receiving yards per game this season are also FBS records in their respective categories for tight ends. The Mid-American Conference player of the year and offensive player of the year had at least 10 catches in five games and at least 100 receiving yards in eight games.
“Harold’s obviously an unbelievable player,” BGSU senior linebacker Brock Horne said. “He’s the best tight end in the country.
“There’s a reason that he puts up these stats every day. He does the work, does what he’s supposed to do at practice.”
A nice adjustment resulted in a highlight-reel grab for Fannin on his touchdown catch. On second-and-goal from the Arkansas State 4, BGSU quarterback Connor Bazelak fired a pass into double coverage to Fannin in the back right corner of the end zone.
The ball went through the hands of Arkansas State’s Justin Parks and right to Fannin, who secured it for the score to pull BGSU within 24-21 late in the first half.
Through Thursday’s games, Fannin’s reception and receiving yard totals lead all FBS players. San Jose State’s Nick Nash is second with 104 catches and 1,382 yards in 12 games.
First Published December 27, 2024, 2:42 a.m.
