Santos captures Payton Award

Fri., Dec. 15, 2006

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – New Hampshire quarterback Ricky Santos won the Walter Payton Award on Thursday night as the best player in NCAA Division I-AA.

The junior from Bellingham, Mass., threw for 2,681 yards and 23 touchdowns and ran for 385 yards and 12 touchdowns during the regular season.

Santos threw only five interceptions to lead an offense that averaged 249.6 yards and 36.5 points per game.

He led New Hampshire (9-4, 5-3 Atlantic 10) to the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Santos got 20 first-place votes from sports information directors and members of the sports media to edge quarterback Jason Murietta of Northern Arizona of the Big Sky Conference.

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Santos captures Payton Award

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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