SLU’s Cole Kelley Invited to Walter Payton Award Announcement
CHICAGO – Southeastern senior quarterback Cole Kelley received an invite to the announcement of the 2021 Stats Perform FCS Walter Payton Award, the organization announced Tuesday.
Kelley will be joined by Eastern Washington quarterback Eric Barriere and ETSU running back Quay Holmes, who topped the list of 25 finalists for the FCS’ most outstanding offensive player.
Named for the Pro and College Football Hall-of-Famer and in its 35
th year, the winner will be announced at the FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 7, the eve of the NCAA Division I Football Championship game, in Frisco, Texas. A broadcast of the festivities will air the next day, Jan. 8, on Bally Sports Regional Networks.
The defending Payton Award winner, Kelley followed up with an even more impressive campaign as the FCS leader in completion percentage (74.2), efficiency (179.5), passing yards per game (398.4), points responsible for per game (29.6) and total offense per game (438.5) during the regular season. He also ranked second in completions per game (30.82) and yards per attempt (9.59) and third in passing touchdowns (38) and rushing touchdowns (16).
A four-time Offensive Player of the Week, Kelley set the FCS record for completions (406) and total offensive plays (713) and tied Steve McNair’s record of games with at least 400 yards of total offense with nine. Kelley also set Southland single-season bests in total offensive yards (5,615) and completion percentage (73.6), and he finished with the second-most passing yards (5,124) and fourth-most passing touchdowns in league history.
In a 55-52 shootout with UIW, Kelley completed 50 passes for 647 yards, both ranking fourth in single-game FCS history. Combined with Cameron Ward’s 610 yards, the two snapped the single-game FCS record for total passing yards (1,257). Kelley’s 697 yards in the contest ranks second in FCS history. He completed at least 72 percent of his passes in all but three games this fall and topped 80 percent on two occasions.