Towson's West Named One of Three Payton Award Finalists
PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 3, 2013) – Towson junior running back Terrance West has been named one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award, as announced by The Sports Network on Tuesday.
The winner of the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman in FCS in 2011, West is joined by Eastern Washington sophomore quarterback Vernon Adams and Eastern Illinois senior quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as finalists for the annual award presented to the top player in FCS Football.
The winner will be announced at The Sports Network's FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation on Dec. 16 in Philadelphia. The winners of the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS outstanding defensive player), Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman of the year) and Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) also will be honored that night.
The 2013 CAA Football Offensive Player of the Year, West is the nation’s leading rusher, averaging 155.4 yards per game. He has run for 1,865 yards on 301 carries, a 6.2 average, and he has scored 30 rushing touchdowns.
West also leads college football (all divisions) with 31 touchdowns and he has scored at least one touchdown in all 12 games.
“Terrance is the ultimate competitor,” said Towson head coach Rob Ambrose. “His desire to win is unparalleled. His hunger for our team’s success makes him the consistent and productive player that he is.”
While leading the Tigers to a 10-2 record and their second FCS Playoff berth in three years, West has rushed for 100-plus yards in 10 of Towson’s 12 games. Selected as CAA Football’s Offensive Player of the Week four times, he also topped the 200-yard rushing mark three times this season.
The Tigers’ career rushing leader with 4,205 yards, West has scored 75 career touchdowns in 33 games. The three-time First Team All-CAA Football selection ranks third on FCS Football’s all-time list with his 75 career scores. Former All-Pro and Villanova alum Brian Westbrook (1997-2001) holds the FCS record with 89 touchdowns.
If West runs for 135 or more yards in Saturday’s FCS second-round playoff game against Fordham, he will become just the 12th player in FCS history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. The Baltimore native will try to become the second Tiger to win the Walter Payton Award after David Meggett won the award in 1988.
West and the Tigers welcome the Rams to Unitas Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
Find Towson’s official release at TowsonTigers.com. The Sports Network’s release is available at SportsNetwork.com.
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