PHILADELPHIA – Illinois State junior running back Marshaun Coprich has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the Redbirds' five games of the season and has scored 11 touchdowns, which has earned him a spot on the Walter Payton Award Watch List, presented by The Sports Network.
Coprich is the first Redbird to be added to the Payton Award Watch List since 2006, when Pierre Rembert finished 11th in the final vote. One of four players added to the Payton Watch List on Tuesday, Coprich joined quarterback Dakota Prukop of Montana State, and running backs Tyler Varga of Yale and Herb Walker Jr. of Morgan State on the prestigious list. The 28th-annual Payton Award will be bestowed on the outstanding offensive player at the FCS level following the regular season.
Coprich has been a driving force in the Redbird offense that has propelled the team to a 5-0 record and a No. 9 national ranking. The Victorville, California, native ranks second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and fourth in the FCS in rushing yards per game (146), and his 11 touchdowns rank second nationally in points per game (13.2). On the season, Coprich has rushed for 730 yards on 108 attempts (6.8 yards per carry) and has already surpassed his touchdown total of nine in 2013 in just five games this season. His five-consecutive 100-plus yard rushing performances are the most for a Redbird running back since 2007.
In three seasons with the Redbirds, Coprich ranks No. 14 on the career rushing list with 1,690 yards and is tied for sixth on with 20 career rushing touchdowns. He and the rest of his teammates hit the road Saturday for an in-state matchup with Western Illinois, with kickoff set at Hanson Field for 3 p.m.
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