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Abilene Christian redshirt senior linebacker Will Shaffer and graduate transfer quarterback Maverick McIvor have been named finalists for a pair of major national end-of-season awards.
McIvor was tabbed as one of 35 finalists for the Walter Payton Award, named for the former Chicago Bears running back and NFL Hall-of-Famer who played collegiately at Jackson State.
The Walter Payton Award is presented annually to the national offensive player of the year and is frequently referred to as the Heisman Trophy of the FCS. Past Walter Payton Award winners include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Cooper Kupp, Trey Lance and Brian Westbrook.
McIvor has enjoyed a breakout season in his third year as ACU’s starting quarterback. The Texas Tech transfer passed for a career-high 506 yards against the Red Raiders in the Wildcats’ season-opening 52-51 overtime loss in Lubbock.
He has kept up that pace and ranks among the FCS leaders in yards passing and touchdowns in 2024. McIvor has thrown for 3,675 yards, 29 touchdowns and five interceptions on 292-of-467 passing as the captain of one of the nation’s most explosive offenses.
More: Abilene Christian dominates, shuts out Northern Arizona in FCS Playoffs debut
More: Texas Tech football announces firing of defensive coaches Tim DeRuyter, Marcel Yates
More: ACU Football: McIvor injured, Wildcats stumble in loss at SFA
Shaffer, meanwhile, has been nominated for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given annually to the FCS national defensive player of the year.
The Arizona State transfer has racked up a team-high 108 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions this season as one of Abilene Christian’s most disruptive defenders.
The redshirt senior tallied 12 tackles — tying his career high — in ACU’s 35-31 road win over Tarleton State that helped the Wildcats clinch the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/abilene-christian-football-mcivor-shaffer-035804384.html
Author : The Abilene Reporter-News
Publish date : 2024-12-03 03:58:00
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