October 31, 2002

FURMAN¹S NAPIER ADDED TO "PAYTON WATCH" LIST

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman senior quarterback Billy Napier is a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which is given annually by the Sports Network to the top offensive player in NCAA I-AA football.

Napier, a senior from Chatsworth, Ga., has been added to the revised list of 16 finalists based on his strong play, which has helped Furman to a 6-2 record and No. 4 ranking in the latest Sports Network NCAA I-AA poll. He has completed 120 of 175 passes for 1,692 yards and 10 touchdowns and currently ranks second nationally in passing efficiency with a 161.79 rating.

A consensus All-Southern Conference choice a year ago after helping Furman to a 12-3 record and national runnerup finish, he established a league single game passing efficiency record earlier this year in the Paladins' 57-7 win over Elon, completing 8-of-10 passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns on only 17 plays.

Napier has completed 64.0 percent of career pass attempts and currently ranks fifth on Furman's all-time passing yards ledger with 3,973 yards. Furman is 18-6 with him in the starting lineup.

This year's Walter Payton Award winner will be announced at the 16th annual I-AA College Football Awards In Chattanooga, Tenn., on Dec. 19.

Furman tailback Louis Ivory captured the Walter Payton Award in 2000 after rushing for a I-AA best 2,079 yards and 16 touchdowns.