Oct. 12, 2005

PHILADELPHIA - Texas State University quarterback Barrick Nealy has been named to The Sports Network's revised "Payton Watch" list released Wednesday.

The Walter Payton Award is presented annually to the top player in Division I-AA football. The Sports Network, I-AA college football's most widely recognized information service, also released Wednesday its updated "Buchanan Battle" list. The Buck Buchanan Award is presented annually to the top defensive player in I-AA.

Both honors will be presented at the 19th annual I-AA College Football Awards on Dec. 15 in Chattanooga, Tenn., on the eve of the 2005 I-AA National Championship. The Eddie Robinson Award, honoring I-AA's top coach, and the Sports Network Cup, bestowed upon the nation's best I-AA mid-major program, will also be presented on Dec. 15th.

Nealy is one of four players added to the "Payton Watch" joining running backs Omar Cuff (Delaware), Joe Rubin (Portland State) and Steve Silva (Holy Cross). Also on the "Payton Watch" list is Georgia Southern running back Jermaine Austin, New Hampshire wide receiver David Ball, Harvard running back Clifton Dawson, Grambling State quarterback Bruce Eugene, Brown running back Nick Hartigan, Montana running back Lex Hilliard, Montana State quarterback Travis Lulay, Furman quarterback Ingle Martin, Eastern Washington quarterback Erik Meyer, Southern Illinois quarterback Joel Sambrusky, New Hampshire quarterback Ricky Santos and Appalachian State quarterback Richie Williams.

The official "Payton Watch" and "Buchanan Battle" lists will undergo two additional revisions prior to the distribution of ballots on Nov. 21. The next change will be made on Nov. 2 with final changes being made before ballots are mailed electronically to media and I-AA sports information directors selected for the voting process. The top three finalists for the Walter Payton Award will be invited to attend the presentation in Chattanooga with the winner of that award not being announced until the event.

Through the first half of the season, Nealy ranks 12th in Division I-AA in total offensive yards (291.00 pg) and 19th in pass efficiency (146.84). He is averaging 218.6 yards passing and completing 61 percent of his passes (75-123 with three interceptions) in addition to rushing for 362 yards and five touchdowns this season and averaging 7.7 yards per carry.

Nealy has already been named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week twice and also received national recognition following his performance against Texas A&M. In that game, the Dallas native completed 26-of-34 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns.

Texas State, ranked No. 10 in this week's Sports Network poll and ninth by ESPN/USA Today, opens a two-game home stand Saturday when the Bobcats play host to Oklahoma Panhandle State. The `Cats take on preseason Southland Conference favorite Northwestern State next week in Bobcat Stadium. Kickoff for both games is slated for 6 p.m.

Nealy's Sports Network Payton Watch List Page