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Show r The Signpost Monday, December 8, 2008 Wildcats get snubbed by Peyton committee Fourth and Goal i By Matt Gerrish . asst. sports editor The Signpost r' So the FCS announced it's Walter Payton Award finalists last Monday, and I am very disappointed with the results. Not only did WSU quarterback Cameron Higgins not get voted into the final three candidates, he fell all the way to sixth in the voting. While I definitely believe Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards is the hands-down winner for this year's award, I thought Higgins deserved to be among the finalists. James Madison University quarterback Rodney Landers has a strong argument to be in the final three, but Western Illinois University running back Herb Donaldson had no place in the top three. Higgins has been responsible for more touchdowns and yards than any three of the finalists this year, but it is fathomable IffESSlM r W Xn SUffort of frJeer State University its StxdeitS , itS CoOC-h&S , and tie. CorttinU&d SUCLCLeSS of its atitic phor-cois . Providing 3tt-najtl WEBERSTATECU.COM (801)399-9728 git Vara (&mzi for irco B D ulEH20n Tins AD AuD GET 52G i - J---niif "tn ni 1 nr 1 r ti r 11 ii r ' T T -fm w - nm t.i- - -r -i r ir i n r . ti .iti it iiifiin . r r - rmir -- m - - - that his chances at winning the award were blown when he tossed a season high four interceptions against Eastern Washington University in the Wildcats' regular-season finale. The Walter Payton Award does not take postseason play into consideration when voting for the award and I believe that is unfortunate, because Higgins big game in WSU's 49-35 victory at California Polytechnic State University definitely would have helped his cause. Donaldson has been stellar, but he plays on a mediocre team. At least WSU, James Madison, and App State are contending for a national title. Plus, Donaldson isn't even the best running back, let alone a Payton Award finalist. Where is WSU running back Trevyn Smith? Smith could make the argument that he belongs up there above Higgins for consideration, but somehow he wasn't even nominated. Donaldson has 1,860 yards of total offense this year, but Smith has 2,130. This is the IDCA ipM. Weber State Credit Union and StaAi 7ity to GUf A??e-5 SirCL& award for best OFFENSIVE player right? Donaldson has 22 total touchdowns, but Smith has 27. There is something wrong with this picture. There seems to be a heavy east-coast bias in the FCS. Not just in the Walter Payton Award Voting, but in the FCS playoff bracket selection as well. WSU, the University of Montana, and Cal Poly are the only three western United States teams in the entire 16-team tournament. Hopefully WSU can continue it's playoff run and contend for the FCS national championship. Perhaps this way, the east coast media and coaches, who are these biased voters, will see what west-coast footballers like Higgins and Smith are really capable of. But hey, Higgins is only a sophomore, and Smith is only a junior. Maybe next year these guys will continue their offensive dominance, and garner the national attention they deserve. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. NCUA Opportunity continued from front the second quarter, WSU finally put together a scoring drive, highlighted by a 61-yard catch and run by Smith. Smith then found pay-dirt with a two-yard touchdown plunge, narrowing WSU's deficit to 14-7 by halftime. In the third quarter, both squads could only manage one field goal a peice, sending the game into the fourth quarter with Montana leading 17-13. But WSU couldn't stop Grizzly running back Chase Reynolds, who rallied off several big runs that led to a 13-yard touchdown scamper with less than three minutes left in the game. Reynolds finished with 185 rushing yards and two touchdowns. WSU put together a final drive but couldn't convert on a fourth-down attempt in Montana territory. The Griz then ran out the clock, ending WSU's season. "We didn't make the big plays that we needed to, to get our offense back on the field," said WSU senior linebacker J.D. Folsom. "I felt like we played hard but it's still hard to believe that this is my last college game." Smith finished the game with 104 rushing yards and 129 receiving yards. WSU quarterback Cameron Higgins notched 270 passing yards with one interception, failing to throw a touchdown pass for the first time all season. WSU finishes the year with a 10-4 overall record, winning a share of the Big Sky Conference Championship for the first time since 1968. While the Wildcats are undoubtedly disappointed with the loss, some players can only look back on a history-making season for WSU. "A lot of people didn't think we could come this, far," said WSU receiver Bryant Eteuati. "A lot of people underestimated us at the beginning of the season, picking us to finish fifth or sixth in the Big Sky." Wildcat offensive tackle Paul Carpenter said he took the loss to Eastern Washington University in the regular season finale harder than this loss, and that he is happy he at least reached the quarterfinals. "Obviously you want to beat Montana, but we couldn't do it again," Carpenter said. "We look at it like we got a 10-win season and a co-Big Sky championship. My freshmen year we were 1-10, so anything is better than that. You have to appreciate improving from 1-10 to 10-4." With the 2008 football season now in the books for WSU, at least one Wildcat is already looking forward to next year. "This is the best team that has ever played at Weber State," Smith said. "Next year we are only going to get better. The hat goes off to guys who made a huge difference this year, but there is no reason we can't come back stronger next season. We are the next generation of Weber State Football, and we are going to finish what we started." Comment on this story at wsusignpost. com . : 7 f is- 1 , ( . 5 - :,-.. -J- 1 y v .. 1 PHOTOS BY CATHERINE MORTIMER IHt SIGNPOSl Weber State University running back Trevyn Smith (top) plunges past' the goal line for the Wildcats' only touchdown of Saturday's game. WSU fans (above left) congratulate offensive guard Lawaia Naihe ; after the game. WSU fans (above right) cheer in one of a couple : different Wildcat cheering sections at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. WSU wide receiver Chris Uribe (below) looks on as the two teams shake hands after the game. W&tp -4" -'j 1 4 L 1 i I 1 4 " 1) PHUIO bY JESSICA SCHREIfELS IHt .sG.V Oi(- |