July 28, 2009

Center Valley, Pa. - Holy Cross senior quarterback Dominic Randolph has been selected to the official Walter Payton Award Watch List, it was announced today by the Sports Network. The Walter Payton Award is presented annually by the Sports Network to the top player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision, and will be awarded for the 23rd time on Thursday, Dec. 17, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Randolph placed ninth in the Walter Payton Award voting in 2008, and 12th in 2007.

Randolph returns as the starting quarterback for Holy Cross after earning Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year honors in each of the last two seasons. He already holds the Patriot League career records for completions (821) and passing touchdowns (83). His 9,679 passing yards are just 140 away from the League mark, while Randolph's 9,984 yards of total offense are just 80 from the League record.

Randolph completed 340-of-520 passes for 3,838 yards with 34 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 2008. The 340 completions set a Patriot League single-season record, and Randolph also set a League mark with eight 300-yard passing performances, which came in Holy Cross' final eight games. His 34 touchdown passes tied a Patriot League record, and his 38 touchdowns responsible for set a League mark. He led the FCS in passing yardage, total offense and completions per game.

Randolph was one of four preseason candidates announced on Tuesday, along with Florida A & M quarterback Curtis Pulley, Montana running back Chase Reynolds and The Citadel wide receive Andre Roberts. Sixteen candidates have been released for the award thus far, and a total of 20 candidates will be announced in alphabetical order prior to the start of the season, with four being released each week. The watch list will be revised in October and again in November before the final ballot is announced.

Voting from a panel of FCS sports information directors, writers, broadcasters and other football experts will be conducted after the regular season ends. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 30 and will be invited to the 23rd annual Sports Network Awards banquet on Dec. 17 in Chattanooga, TN, the night prior to the NCAA Division I championship game. The Eddie Robinson Award (top FCS Coach) and Buck Buchanan Award (top FCS Defensive Player) will also be presented that night.

Holy Cross opens its 2009 season with a Patriot League matchup on Sept. 5, as the Crusaders host Georgetown at 1 p.m.