Nov. 27, 2006
PHILADELPHIA -
The voting for the 2006 Walter Payton Award was released on Monday, with the exception of the top three finalists, and Illinois State running back Pierre Rembert finished 11th for the award after being added just before the final ballots were distributed.
Rembert, who has become the top single-season rusher in Illinois State history, has rushed for 1,629 yards and 16 touchdowns on 331 carries heading into Saturday's NCAA Division I Football Championship quarterfinal game at Youngstown State. Rembert finished with 59 votes among the 16 finalists.
Northern Arizona quarterback Jason Murrietta, New Hampshire quarterback Ricky Santos and Southern Illinois running back Arkee Whitlock are the three finalists for the honor and have each been invited to attend the presentation of the awards, with the winner of the Payton not announced until the event. The 20th Annual I-AA College Football Awards will be held Dec. 14 in Chattanooga, Tenn., on the eve of the NCAA Division I Football Championship title game.
Youngstown State running back Marcus Mason finished fourth in the voting with 195 points, joining Rembert and Whitlock as the Gateway Football Conference's representation on the final ballot.
The 2005 Walter Payton Award went to Eastern Washington quarterback Erik Meyer. Former winners Tony Romo (2002, Eastern Illinois, Dallas Cowboys), Brian Westbrook (2001, Villanova, Philadelphia Eagles), Adrian Peterson (1999, Georgia Southern, Chicago Bears), Brian Finneran (1997, Villanova, Atlanta Falcons), and Steve McNair (1994, Alcorn State, Baltimore Ravens) are among those active in the NFL.
Voting, which is based on regular season performance only, was conducted among 112 media members and media relations professionals covering I-AA/FCS.
