Edwards receives Walter Payton Award

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards received the Walter Payton Award Thursday, an honor that goes to the top small college player of the year.

James Madison Coach Mickey Matthews was given the Eddie Robinson Award.

The awards were handed out at the banquet held each year on the eve of the NCAA Division I championship game. Montana will meet Richmond Friday in Chattanooga for the national title.

Edwards ran for 941 yards and 11 touchdowns this season while completing 64 percent of his passes for 2,902 yards and 30 touchdowns. The award he received is named for the Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back who came out of Jackson State.

Edwards received 53 first-place votes and 398 points. James Madison quarterback Rodney Landers was a distant second with 17 first-place votes.

Matthews won the Robinson Award for the second time, having received it in 1999 after his first season at James Madison.

He led the Dukes to a 10-1 regular-season record and a No. 1 ranking for the final eight weeks of the season before a Dec. 12 playoff loss to Montana.