Oct. 2, 2003
VILLANOVA, PA - Villanova University sophomore quarterback Joe Casamento has been named to the updated "Payton Watch" list. This list includes a group of 16 players who are under consideration for the Walter Payton Award, which is given annually to the top player in Division I-AA football.
The "Payton Watch" list will undergo two additional revisions prior to the distribution of ballots on November 24th. The winner of the Walter Payton Award will be announced at the 17th annual I-AA College Football Awards ceremony held on Thursday, December 18th in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Casamento has been instrumental in Villanova's 4-0 start. In the four wins, he has completed 93-of-127 (73.2%) for 1,035 yards to go with nine touchdowns and one interception. In addition to his passing numbers, Casamento also has three rushing touchdowns, including a career-long 36-yard scoring run in last Saturday's 28-7 win over Northeastern.
Villanova and the University of Idaho are the only schools to have produced two Walter Payton Award winners. Former Wildcat great and current Atlanta Falcon Brian Finneran became the only receiver to win the award in 1997, while current Philadelphia Eagle running back Brian Westbrook claimed the award during his senior season at Villanova in 2001. Last year, Villanova quarterback Brett Gordon finished second in the Payton Award balloting.
PAYTON WATCH CANDIDATES (Oct. 1)Muhammad Abdulqaadir RB Southern IllinoisCharles Anthony RB Tennessee StateJermaine Austin RB Georgia SouthernJamaal Branch RB ColgateJoe Casamento QB VILLANOVATramon Douglas WR GramblingBruce Eugene QB GramblingRyan Fitzpatrick QB HarvardRyan Fuqua RB Portland StateAndy Hall QB DelawareVick King RB McNeese StateRuss Michna QB Western IllinoisJake Shields RB Indiana StateAllen Suber QB Bethune-CookmanKirwin Watson RB FordhamMarcus Williams RB Maine
