PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Malcolm Cyrus has been named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award by The Sports Network. There are 25 finalists from across the nation for the award which honors the outstanding player in the Football Championship Series (FCS).
“How awesome this is for Malcolm, and our football program,” Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. “To be a finalist for the highest award in FCS football is great. Malcolm has been a joy to coach. He is a great teammate and as much attention as he has gotten all year, he knows and has said that his OL and members of the team has allowed him to experience this success. I am very proud of him.”
The Payton Award is in its’ 28th season and the finalists cover all 13 FCS conferences from across the country. Cyrus is the lone finalist from a team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
As a senior the Autaugaville native had one of the best seasons in the history of ASU football. He finished the year rushing for 1,662 yards, the second most single-season rushing yards at ASU. On top of that he added another 380 yards receiving and 34 yards returning kicks. He scored 12 rushing touchdowns and added another receiving. He finished the season with 2,076 all-purpose yards.
Cyrus was ranked nationally in several categories; He was fifth in rushing yards per game (138.5), ninth in rushing yards per carry (6.2), t-30th in rushing touchdowns (12), third in rushing yards (1,662) and fourth in all-purpose yards per game (173.0).
The voting reflects only the regular season statistics. A national panel of sports information and media relation directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries select the Payton Award. The winner will be announced Dec. 15 at The Sports Network FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation.
