Walter Payton Award

[weberwildcat]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... ton08.aspx

They have 16 candidates on the list.

I'm wondering, if the QB from my school, WSU, stays healthy and continues at the rate he is going, can he win? Does being the only sophomore on the list matter?

Can you win the award if your team doesn't make the playoffs?

[dbackjon]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... ton08.aspx

They have 16 candidates on the list.

I'm wondering, if the QB from my school, WSU, stays healthy and continues at the rate he is going, can he win? Does being the only sophomore on the list matter?

Can you win the award if your team doesn't make the playoffs?

Both will be strikes against, but others have won without being in the playoffs

[SuperHornet]

This is all wrong. A trouble-making drop-down? A one-hit wonder? No way.

I know they're not listening to me, but I nominate Cole Bergquist. He's been consistently outstanding for two years straight.

[native]

This is all wrong. A trouble-making drop-down? A one-hit wonder? No way.

I know they're not listening to me, but I nominate Cole Bergquist. He's been consistently outstanding for two years straight.

Yup. Bergquist has performed well allright...

But you lost me on the rest of your post... trouble-making? Drop down? One hit wonder?

Who are you talking about?!? It's not Cameron Higgins!

[travelinman67]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... ton08.aspx

They have 16 candidates on the list.

I'm wondering, if the QB from my school, WSU, stays healthy and continues at the rate he is going, can he win? Does being the only sophomore on the list matter?

Can you win the award if your team doesn't make the playoffs?

Not 'dissing the idea, Higgins is worthy, but if they can keep a strong line around him, and keep his production high, if not this year, then...

[native]

Not 'dissing the idea, Higgins is worthy, but if they can keep a strong line around him, and keep his production high, if not this year, then...

Concur. All other considerations even I would give the award to the upperclassman.

Besides, we have yet to see Higgins in a high pressure playoff situation, although the Montana and Northern Colorado defenses gave him plenty to think about!

...but "...trouble making drop down..."?!?? SuperHornet is confusing Cam with someone else.

[dbackjon]

Not 'dissing the idea, Higgins is worthy, but if they can keep a strong line around him, and keep his production high, if not this year, then...

Concur. All other considerations even I would give the award to the upperclassman.

Besides, we have yet to see Higgins in a high pressure playoff situation, although the Montana and Northern Colorado defenses gave him plenty to think about!

...but "...trouble making drop down..."?!?? SuperHornet is confusing Cam with someone else.

Probably talking about Rhett Bomar...

[SuperHornet]

Thank you, Jon. That is correct, though it could also apply to that trouble-making drop-down from LSU.

[weberwildcat]

Higgins is leading FCS in yards and TD's. Almost 3,000 and 29 aint bad

Only 1 QB in FBS hase more yards/TD's - Texas Tech.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Higgins is leading FCS in yards and TD's. Almost 3,000 and 29 aint bad

Only 1 QB in FBS hase more yards/TD's - Texas Tech.

Yes but you have to look at the fact that Dally is leading in % and I believe rating and he has at least one if not two games less than Higgins at this point in the season. Higgins is worthy of the discussion there is no doubt.

[weberwildcat]

Higgins is leading FCS in yards and TD's. Almost 3,000 and 29 aint bad

Only 1 QB in FBS hase more yards/TD's - Texas Tech.

Yes but you have to look at the fact that Dally is leading in % and I believe rating and he has at least one if not two games less than Higgins at this point in the season. Higgins is worthy of the discussion there is no doubt.

Yes Dally is leading in Rating only. Dally has played 6 games and Higgins has played 9. But overall for him to pass up Higgins in passing yards he would need 1,500 yds in his next 3 games and he only has 1,396 yds after 6 games. Also, he would need 15 TD passes in the next 3 games to pass Higgins after 9 games and you can say Higgins played against 2 cupcakes but he also played against Hawaii and Utah, and he had over 300 yds vs the Utes.

Higgins has a higher completion %

Higgins:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/pr ... rId=187103

Dally:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/pr ... rId=233053


Cal Poly's conference is a joke too, Cal Poly will win with with an overall record of 3-0, what is up with that?

[fbondabrain]

I watched Weber State play Montana and there was no doubt who the better quarterback was. Aside from Tyler Graunke from Hawai'i, Higgins has upstaged every quarterback weber has faced. A poll on bigskyconf.com indicated that 55% of respondents chose Higgins as the big sky offensive player of the year. He is on mark to throw 40 touchdowns (good chance) and could possibly crack 4,000 yds this season (slim chance but possible). The argument I have heard for not giving the award to Higgins sound like good ol' boy arguments. "Cole Bergquist has been really good for two seasons". The Walter Payton Award is not for good players, its for the best player of the season who made the biggest impact on his team, conference and FCS football. Let me tell you, I watched Weber State against Cal Poly and Montana State last year when Jimmy Barnes was the quarterback and I thought they were about as bad a team as I had ever seen. That changed in the first game Higgins was a starter. If he continues at this pace the Walter Payton Award will be a no brainer.

[dbackjon]

I watched Weber State play Montana and there was no doubt who the better quarterback was. Aside from Tyler Graunke from Hawai'i, Higgins has upstaged every quarterback weber has faced. A poll on bigskyconf.com indicated that 55% of respondents chose Higgins as the big sky offensive player of the year. He is on mark to throw 40 touchdowns (good chance) and could possibly crack 4,000 yds this season (slim chance but possible). The argument I have heard for not giving the award to Higgins sound like good ol' boy arguments. "Cole Bergquist has been really good for two seasons". The Walter Payton Award is not for good players, its for the best player of the season who made the biggest impact on his team, conference and FCS football. Let me tell you, I watched Weber State against Cal Poly and Montana State last year when Jimmy Barnes was the quarterback and I thought they were about as bad a team as I had ever seen. That changed in the first game Higgins was a starter. If he continues at this pace the Walter Payton Award will be a no brainer.

Welcome!!

[weberwildcat]

Keep in mind Cam Higgins will get to play 2 of his last 3 games against 2 of the worst defenses in probably FCS.

Portland St, all O and no D, they average 15 rushing yds per game but can pass the ball with the best.

Idaho St on the road but the Bengals will finish 0-12.

I think Higgins could get 800 yds passing and 10 TD's unless WSU decides to run more...

You never know...

[Col Hogan]

And the winner is.....

RODNEY LANDERS, James Madison University...


BOOK IT!!!!!

[weberwildcat]

And the winner is.....

RODNEY LANDERS, James Madison University...


BOOK IT!!!!!

How does everyone else think Landers compares to Higgins? Though JMU is #1. When do they decide the winner? That should be a factor..

Stats of Lander:

60-95 for 865 yds passing, 11 TD's, 3 INT's, 930 yds rushing averaging 6.4 yds per carry, record: 7-1 (loss to Duke, no losses in FCS) team ranked #1, QB Rating: 172.5


Stats of Higgins:

201-291 for 2,868 yds passing, 29 TD's, 7 INT's, -78 yds rushing on season, record: 7-2 (losses to Utah, Hawaii, no FCS losses) team ranked #13, QB Rating: 179.9354


Kinda hard to compare a runner vs a passer...

[Col Hogan]

And the winner is.....

RODNEY LANDERS, James Madison University...


BOOK IT!!!!!

How does everyone else think Landers compares to Higgins? Though JMU is #1. When do they decide the winner? That should be a factor..

Stats of Lander:

60-95 for 865 yds passing, 11 TD's, 3 INT's, 930 yds rushing averaging 6.4 yds per carry, record: 7-1 (loss to Duke, no losses in FCS) team ranked #1, QB Rating: 172.5


Stats of Higgins:

201-291 for 2,868 yds passing, 29 TD's, 7 INT's, -78 yds rushing on season, record: 7-2 (losses to Utah, Hawaii, no FCS losses) team ranked #13, QB Rating: 179.9354


Kinda hard to compare a runner vs a passer...

I believe...I hope...that a critical award such as this is not just a numbers drill...because Landers is the complete package...a seasoned, proven leader...

When he needs to pass...he is on target (only 3INTs)...when his receivers are covered, he can run with the best...

He's allowed to make those critical decisions that have helped make JMU #1 in the country...that's what the Payton Award is all about...

[fbondabrain]

Im sure Rodney Landers is good but stats wise he's average. College Sports Insider has Higgins as the front runner by a wide margin with armanti edwards second, Ramses Barden third, herb donaldson fourth and Nathan Brown fifth. Rodney Landers was ranked 14th out of 16 candidates. Even if it isnt higgins it wont be rodney landers. Ask yourself this; would James Madison be number 1 or top 5 without RL, probably so. I can tell you that Weber State without Higgins would be 2-7 rather than 7-2. The stats speak for itself, Weber State 's record (they thrashed two ranked FCS teams)speaks for itself. The fact that they are ranked 13 while JM is ranked 1 means little because they both have similar records and Duke thrashed JM and they are a middle of the road team. If Higgins does not get the award it will be armanti edwards. Sorry RL

[fbondabrain]

Holy crap. The guy threw for a grand total of 50 yards against Duke. he was responsible for a total of 163 total yards. Come on, man. Its okay to support your team but Walter Payton award? Get serious!

[weberwildcat]

Holy crap. The guy threw for a grand total of 50 yards against Duke. he was responsible for a total of 163 total yards. Come on, man. Its okay to support your team but Walter Payton award? Get serious!

This yr's Duke team isn't as bad as usual...

Higgins had over 300+ yds passing & 3 TD passes and 0 INT's against Utah. Utah is #10 in the BCS rankings...not bad for a sophomore QB on an FCS team.

[Col Hogan]

Holy crap. The guy threw for a grand total of 50 yards against Duke. he was responsible for a total of 163 total yards. Come on, man. Its okay to support your team but Walter Payton award? Get serious!

Last time I looked, the banner along the bottom of this post said UMass...not JMU...so he's not my guy...I'm not supporting my team...

I'm proposing that a senior, proven winnner, all around QB who can pass and run the ball and plays for the #1 ranked team in the nation is going to be the Payton Award winner...

You, my friend, are the one blinded by homerism...not I...

[Col Hogan]

Im sure Rodney Landers is good but stats wise he's average. College Sports Insider has Higgins as the front runner by a wide margin with armanti edwards second, Ramses Barden third, herb donaldson fourth and Nathan Brown fifth. Rodney Landers was ranked 14th out of 16 candidates. Even if it isnt higgins it wont be rodney landers. Ask yourself this; would James Madison be number 1 or top 5 without RL, probably so. I can tell you that Weber State without Higgins would be 2-7 rather than 7-2. The stats speak for itself, Weber State 's record (they thrashed two ranked FCS teams)speaks for itself. The fact that they are ranked 13 while JM is ranked 1 means little because they both have similar records and Duke thrashed JM and they are a middle of the road team. If Higgins does not get the award it will be armanti edwards. Sorry RL

Having seen Landers both in person and on TV, I can tell you Landers is key to the JMU success...

And when it comes to FCS football, CSi is not my source...so, you can take their "ranking" of the candidates if you like because it's your guy...I take results...and Landers has produced...

[fbondabrain]

will you let me know when he starts building stats. Im sure he fits his team's scheme but the guy hasnt even cracked two thousand yards in total offense. again, thrashed by a middle of the road FBS team doesnt pass that much doesnt run that much. Yes, I do think Higgins is the clear front runner for the Walter Payton award, but if not him it certainly will not be Rodney. Higgins came on in the 4th game of the season last year, passed for 2000 yards and 19 touchdowns as a freshman won 5 of the last seven and those were the only 5 wins of the season. There is no bigger impact player in the country. Good decision making? Is passing for 48 touchdowns in just 15 games a sign of good decision making? Does a 69% completion percentage sound like good judgement? How does nealry 5000 passing yards in 15 games strike you. Bro, its a no brainer. IMPACT; thats what these awards are about, IMPACT! I think 5000 yards passing and 48 touchdowns in 15 games is quite an impact.

[native]

will you let me know when he starts building stats. Im sure he fits his team's scheme but the guy hasnt even cracked two thousand yards in total offense. again, thrashed by a middle of the road FBS team doesnt pass that much doesnt run that much. Yes, I do think Higgins is the clear front runner for the Walter Payton award, but if not him it certainly will not be Rodney. Higgins came on in the 4th game of the season last year, passed for 2000 yards and 19 touchdowns as a freshman won 5 of the last seven and those were the only 5 wins of the season. There is no bigger impact player in the country. Good decision making? Is passing for 48 touchdowns in just 15 games a sign of good decision making? Does a 69% completion percentage sound like good judgement? How does nealry 5000 passing yards in 15 games strike you. Bro, its a no brainer. IMPACT; thats what these awards are about, IMPACT! I think 5000 yards passing and 48 touchdowns in 15 games is quite an impact.

I don't know about the other Walter Payton candidates, but 'Brain's points about Cameron Higgins' judgment and impact are right on target.

Compared to the other half dozen or so top quarterbacks I have watched in person over the past two seasons, the things that really stand out about Cam are the speed and quality of his decisions. After a slow start, he has also matured into quite the leader on and off the field. Maybe Weber would not have been 2-7 without him, but they probably would not have been 7-2, either.

Regardless of what happens with the Walter Payton award this year, Cameron Higgins has a bright future at Weber State, and WSU has an even brighter future for this season and the next two with Cam at the helm.

[Col Hogan]

will you let me know when he starts building stats. Im sure he fits his team's scheme but the guy hasnt even cracked two thousand yards in total offense. again, thrashed by a middle of the road FBS team doesnt pass that much doesnt run that much. Yes, I do think Higgins is the clear front runner for the Walter Payton award, but if not him it certainly will not be Rodney. Higgins came on in the 4th game of the season last year, passed for 2000 yards and 19 touchdowns as a freshman won 5 of the last seven and those were the only 5 wins of the season. There is no bigger impact player in the country. Good decision making? Is passing for 48 touchdowns in just 15 games a sign of good decision making? Does a 69% completion percentage sound like good judgement? How does nealry 5000 passing yards in 15 games strike you. Bro, its a no brainer. IMPACT; thats what these awards are about, IMPACT! I think 5000 yards passing and 48 touchdowns in 15 games is quite an impact.

I don't know about the other Walter Payton candidates, but 'Brain's points about Cameron Higgins' judgment and impact are right on target.

Compared to the other half dozen or so top quarterbacks I have watched in person over the past two seasons, the things that really stand out about Cam are the speed and quality of his decisions. After a slow start, he has also matured into quite the leader on and off the field. Maybe Weber would not have been 2-7 without him, but they probably would not have been 7-2, either.

Regardless of what happens with the Walter Payton award this year, Cameron Higgins has a bright future at Weber State, and WSU has an even brighter future for this season and the next two with Cam at the helm.

I have no doubt about your last paragraph...but overall, Landers has been tested at a higher level and succeeded...

Two of Weber's wins have come against lower class teams...DII and NAIA...JMU does not play down to build up numbers...

Landers QB rating is 172.5 while Higgins is 179.9...remove those lower level teams from the numbers and we pretty much have a wash...

And for the comment that if Higgins doesn't win it, AE will...crap, AE and his ASU cohorts lost to Landers and JMU...Edwards QB rating is only 155.6...how do you figure he'll get it over Landers?????

Higgins is a Payton candidate as he should be...and Weber has a great future with him...and he'll get a chance to show he's deserving with some more play...

If he was a run-away heads above all the other candidates, playing the same level of competition week in and week out...I'd agree with you...

But as a soph...he needs to show more...

Sorry, you can't convince me he's better, more deserving than Landers...