Denim Millward
Sports Editor
Though it might not have ended up the way he wanted, Idaho State quarterback Justin Arias was shown some love in the city of brotherly love Monday night.
Arias’ final accolade for his record-setting 2014 campaign was finishing third in voting for the Walter Payton Award, the results of which were announced at the FCS Awards Banquet in Philadelphia Monday, Dec. 15.
Arias was one of three finalists for the honor, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding FCS player in the nation.
Out of the 21 total award finalists chosen, three were selected to attend the awards banquet, which was held Monday, Dec. 15 in Philadelphia.
Arias was joined at the banquet by Big Sky Conference counterpart and Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams, as well as by the Villanova Wildcats’ quarterback John Robertson.
A dual threat quarterback for the Wildcats, Robertson passed for 2,846 yards and 35 touchdowns, with only three interceptions. He also compiled 1,078 yards rushing with 11 touchdowns.
A leg injury somewhat hampered Adams’ season, but he still managed to rush for 6 touchdowns and 274 yards in addition to his sparkling passing statistics, 3,477 yards and 35 touchdowns with only 8 interceptions.
While Arias was not the rushing threat Adams and Robertson were, his passing statistics were second-to-none in virtually every category.
Arias led the FCS in passing yards with 4,077, as well as passing touchdowns with 38.
Arias also differed from Robertson and Adams in that his efforts were instrumental in the return of a school with 10 consecutive losing seasons to relevance and even prominence in the Big Sky Conference as well as the nation.
Arias’ Bengals ended the season nationally ranked and were widely considered to be in consideration to make it to the FCS Playoff Championship. Ultimately they were left out, while a 5-loss Indiana State team was included in the playoff.
Arias wasn’t the only Bengal to draw national attention and finish on the radar for a prestigious award.
Freshman Mario Jenkins finished fourth in voting for the Jerry Rice Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding freshman in the FCS.
A redshirt freshman and Nampa, Idaho native, Jenkins exploded onto the scene in 2014. He led the team in tackles with 120, with 10.5 tackles for loss, and tacked on two sacks, three interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Fordham running back Chase Edmonds won the Jerry Rice Award, garnering 95 of the 160 first-place votes. Not named a starter until the second game of the season, Edmonds seized the starting running back job at Fordham right away with a 181-rushing-yard, two-touchdown performance.
Edmonds ranked eighth nationally in rushing yards per game with 128.3.
Arias and Jenkins join Idaho State head football coach Mike Kramer as being in the running for or winning high-profile awards.
Kramer was named Big Sky Conference coach of the year on Nov. 26 after leading the Bengals to an 8-4 record, their first winning record since 2003 and a five-win improvement over last season.
The Walter Payton and Jerry Rice Awards are given in honor of their namesakes, both of whom are NFL hall-of-famers and played college football at the FCS level for small schools in Mississippi.
Widely considered to be the greatest receiver of all time, Rice played his college ball for the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils, located five miles outside of Greenwood, Mississippi from 1981 to 1984.
Payton played for the Jackson State Tigers in Jackson, Mississippi from 1971 to 1974.
Payton passed away Nov. 1, 1999 due to complications from bile duct cancer.
