October 31, 2000


FURMAN'S LOUIS IVORY AMONG 16 FINALISTS
FOR WALTER PAYTON AWARD

GREENVILLE -- The Sports Network announced today that Furman tailback Louis Ivory, currently the nation's leading rusher in NCAA I-AA football, is among 16 finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which is given annually to the top player in I-AA football.

Ivory, a junior All-Southern Conference performer from Fort Valley, Ga., has rushed for 1,406 yards and 12 touchdowns in eight games this season. Currently averaging 175.8 yards per game and 7.2 yards per carry, Ivory has rushed for over 200 yards in three contests this year, including a 41-carry, 227-yard performance in Furman's last game, a 23-21 loss to East Tennessee State on Oct. 21. He has topped the 100-yard mark in 10 of his last 11 games.

Among other Payton Award finalists is Georgia Southern fullback Adrian Peterson, who captured the award in 1999. Peterson, currently the nation's fifth leading rusher (151.2 ypg), leads Georgia Southern into Saturday's matchup against Furman in Paladin Stadium beginning at 2:00 p.m.

The winner of the 2000 Walter Payton Award will be introduced at the 14th annual College Football Awards Show on Dec. 4 in the Heisman Room of New York City's Downtown Athletic Club.

"Payton Watch" Candidates (Oct. 30)

Jimmy Blanchard, QB, Portland State
Stephen Campbell, WR, Brown
Montrell Coley, RB, Hampton
Charles Chip Dunn, RB, Portland State
Ryan Helming, QB, Northern Iowa
Louis Ivory, RB, Furman
Darnell Kennedy, QB, Alabama State
Jacquay Nunnally, WR, Florida A&M
Adrian Peterson, RB, Georgia Southern
Charles Roberts, RB, Cal State Sacramento
Tony Romo, QB, Eastern Illinois
Chris Sanders, QB, Chattanooga
Marcel Shipp, RB, Massachusetts
Tony Taylor, RB, Northwestern State
Charles Tharp, RB, Western Illinois
Brian Westbrook, RB, Villanova