It’s Division I FCS Championship Game Week – the perfect time to talk about postseason awards.
The Stats Perform Legacy Awards are the gold standard in the FCS ranks and I’ve been honored to serve as an official voter for the past decade.
The Walter Payton Award (Offense), The Buck Buchanan Award (Defense), The Jerry Rice Award (Freshman) and the Eddie Robinson Award (Coach) are bestowed annual upon the best in the FCS.
PAYTON AWARD (Ralph’s Choice)
Eric Barriere, QB – Eastern Washington
The repeat Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year threw for over 5,000 yards and accounted for 50 touchdowns (46 passing, 4 rushing) while being intercepted only eight times!! With Barriere calling the signals, EWU currently sits at No. 4 in the national Top 25 poll.
BUCHANAN AWARD (Ralph’s Choice)
Justin Ford, CB – Montana
The Louisville transfer landed in Missoula and his production was off the charts this fall. The 6-foot-2 corner led all DI FCS players in interceptions (8) while helping The Grizz to a 6-2 record in the pass-happy Big Sky Conference. In addition to 16 passes defensed, Ford was credited with 33 tackles, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
RICE AWARD (Ralph’s Choice)
Zevi Eckhaus, QB – Bryant
Think I’m foolish for ranking Shedeur Jackson second? Too bad. I was fortunate to have a front row seat to Eckhaus’ unexpected emergence, which began when Bryant’s Opening Day starter suffered a Week 1 injury. Eckhaus’ first career start was a 17-6 victory over Sacred Heart – the lone league loss suffered by the eventual NEC champion Pioneers. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder went 7-3 as a starting signal caller, leading the program to its first seven-win season since 2014. The NEC’s California Kid accounted for 23 touchdowns (21 passing, 2 rushing) to only three interceptions.
ROBINSON AWARD (Ralph’s Choice)
Randy Sanders, East Tennessee State
Sanders’ final season prior to retirement happened to double as the best year in ETSU. The 33-year coaching veteran went out with a BANGER, leading the Bucs to a program-record 11 wins and a first-ever outright SoCon title. Knocking off SEC member Vanderbilt along the way, ETSU set single-season school records for most points scored (425), points per game (32.7), total offense (5,319), rushing touchdowns (32) and total touchdowns (53).
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