Charles Anthony, RB, Tennessee State—Anthony is quite possibly the best running back in the country—no offense to the aforementioned player from Harvard—but the same cannot be said for his team. The junior tailback ran for 285 yards and three touchdowns, and he hauled in three receptions for 75 yards and another score, but the Tigers (3-4, 1-2 OVC) still fell to a hapless Samford squad 42-36 in overtime. If there’s a player out there that could take home the Payton Award while playing on a losing team, it’s Anthony. But, as history has shown, the odds aren’t in his favor.
Erik Meyer, QB, Eastern Washington—The 6’2 junior quarterback leads the nation in passer efficiency with a 174.3 rating. His completion percentage of 69.8 is the best in I-AA. But the Eagles have No. 5 Cal Poly and No. 24 Montana State left on their schedule, which could knock the quarterback’s rating down a notch or two. If he survives those tests and Eastern Washington gets the help it needs to win the Big Sky title, Meyer might be the front runner for the award when the ballots are passed out on Nov. 22.
Dustin Long, QB, Sam Houston State—Long got out of the gate strong—except for a four interception performance against Southwestern Missouri State—but since then, he’s been no better than average. Over his past two contests, the 6’3 senior has averaged 16 completions for 231 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He has still managed to hold onto the second spot in passer efficiency rating, but his nine interceptions on the season are tied for the most of any of the top 33 players in that category. His 21 passing touchdowns, however, are the most of any I-AA quarterback. Like Meyer, a few tough conference contests will drastically affect Long’s chances for this award.
Along with Dawson, these players round out my Payton Award top five at this point. So, it seems the Crimson running back finds himself where he’s always found himself since setting foot on the well-groomed grass of Harvard Stadium.
He’s poised to make history, again.
—Staff writer Michael R. James can be reached at mrjames@fas.harvard.edu.