Dec. 19, 2002
CHATANOOGA, TENN. - On Thursday, Dec. 19, the 2002 Walter Payton Award was announced in Chatanooga, Tenn., with Villanova senior quarterback Brett Gordon finishing second in the balloting with 245 points. The Walter Payton Award, which began in 1987, is given annually to the top player in NCAA Division I-AA. Eastern Illinois quarterback Tony Romo won the 2002 Walter Payton Award with 268 points, followed by Gordon and Grambling State quarterback Bruce Eugene with 234 points. This marked the closet voting in the 15-year history of the award.
Romo received 27 first place votes, 15 second place votes, 18 third place votes, 12 fourth place votes and 10 fifth place votes to take home the award. Gordon earned 18 first place, 18 second place, 17 third place, 10 fourth place and 12 fifth place votes. Eugene got 21 first place votes, 16 second place, seven third, 17 fourth and 10 fifth place votes.
Gordon had a season filled with milestones in 2002 for the Wildcats. He earned 2002 ECAC Offensive Player of the Year accolades just last week. In addition, Gordon was also selected to the All-ECAC first team. Gordon becomes the fourth Villanovan to win the ECAC Player of the Year Award in the last six years. Wildcat running back Brian Westbrook claimed the honor in 2001 and 2000, while former Villanova wide receiver Brian Finneran garnered the award in 1997.
Gordon led the Wildcats to an 11-4 overall record and the program's first-ever trip to semifinal round of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs. In 15 games this year, Gordon completed 386-of-579 (66.7%) for 4,290 yards and 36 touchdowns. By throwing for 4,290 yards, he becomes the first signal caller in Villanova school history to throw for 4,000 yards in a season.
During his brilliant Villanova career, Gordon completed 833-of-1,246 (66.8%) for 9,639 yards and 84 touchdowns. The 66.8 percent completion percentage represents a Villanova school record. The 5-10, 185 pound Gordon was named the Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year in a voting by league coaches on Nov. 26.
