Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Karim named finalist for Walter Payton Award
11/30/2009 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 30, 2009
From The Sports Network
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Southern Illinois senior running back Deji Karim along with Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards and Elon wide receiver Terrrell Hudgins were announced on Monday as the three finalists for the 23nd annual Walter Payton Award.
The Payton Award, which is voted on by an elite panel of sports information directors, writers and broadcasters covering FCS football, goes to the top player in the sub-classification.
The winner will be named on Dec. 17 in Chattanooga, Tenn. at The Sports Network's annual awards banquet. In addition, the 23nd Eddie Robinson Award and the 15th Buck Buchanan Award will be handed out to the top coach and top defensive player in FCS at the Chattanooga Marriott, the night before the NCAA Division I Football Championship game.
Karim becomes just the second Saluki ever to be named one of the three finalists for the Walter Payton Award. Arkee Whitlock finished third in the voting in 2006 and SIU has had five players in all finish in the top 10 of the voting.
Karim has come on strong this season and helped lead Southern Illinois to its first outright Missouri Valley Football Conference title since 2004 and seventh straight playoff appearance. The Salukis maintain the nation's fourth- ranked rushing attack and third-rated scoring offense. Karim's 1,667 yards rushing is the most in the nation this year, he is third in all-purpose yards and ran for a career-high 273 yards and three scores in a win over Illinois State to capture national player of the week honors. He had scored a touchdown in seven straight games and has rushed for at least two touchdowns in six games. In addition, he has four touchdown runs of 70 yards or more. His lone kickoff return touchdown came on an 82-yard scamper against Southwest Baptist. His 7.2 yards per carry this season rank second in school history, and his 1,667 yards are good for third-best in the SIU record books. This is Karim's first appearance on the Payton Award list.
The Walter Payton Award was established in 1987 by The Sports Network. Several previous winners have gone on to outstanding professional careers in football, including Tony Romo (Eastern Illinois), Brian Westbrook (Villanova), Steve McNair (Alcorn State), Adrian Peterson (Georgia Southern), Jerry Azumah (New Hampshire), Brian Finneran (Villanova), Dave Dickenson (Montana), and Dave Meggett (Towson).
