Nick Howard Named to Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List

HANOVER, N.H. — Stats Perform announced its preseason watch list for the 2022 Walter Payton Award, which is given to the national offensive player of the year in the FCS, and Dartmouth quarterback Nick Howard was one of the 35 players to be honored with their inclusion. He is also the lone Ivy League player to be selected.

A 6-2, 230-pound senior from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Howard exploded on the Ivy League scene last year as primarily a rushing quarterback, piling up a team-high 787 yards on the ground (third in the Ancient Eight) while leading the conference in touchdowns (15, sixth nationally) and yards per carry (6.3, 14th). Those 15 rushing touchowns tied a Dartmouth record that has stood for over 90 years, and his season rushing average ranks as the third-best in program history. When he had the opportunity to show off his arm, he performed admirably as well, connecting on 11-of-18 throws (61.1 percent) for 126 yards, a touchdown and one interception. His performance behind center earned him a spot on the All-Ivy League First Team.

This season, Howard has been named one of the Big Green's three captains and is expected to play a larger role in the passing game with the graduation of Derek Kyler, who set several program records for passing accuracy. Dartmouth returns its top-six receivers from the 2021 season, giving Howard plenty of options when dropping back to pass.

Dartmouth, the two-time defending conference champion, opens the 2022 season on Sept. 17 at 1:30 p.m. when the Big Green host Valparaiso at Memorial Field as they begin their quest to extend its league-record 20 Ivy titles. A video stream of the game will be available on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Matt Corsetti calling the action, along with a free audio broadcast featuring Brett Franklin and Wayne Young '72 through the official website of Dartmouth Athletics.

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