Elon University senior receiver Terrell Hudgins has been named as one of three finalists for the 2009 Walter Payton Award, presented annually to the top offensive player in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. Hudgins is joined as a finalist by 2008 winner Armanti Edwards of Appalachian State and Southern Illinois’ Deji Karim.
Hudgins has finished among the top-15 in the Payton Award voting each of the last two seasons, placing 11th in 2007 and 15th a year ago and is the first finalist from Elon.
“It’s an honor to be nominated,” Hudgins said. “I wouldn’t be in this position without my teammates. I’m extremely grateful to the Elon community for the support they’ve given me over the past four years.”
The Walter Payton Award was established in 1987 by The Sports Network. Several previous winners have gone on to outstanding professional careers in football, including Tony Romo (Eastern Illinois), Brian Westbrook (Villanova), Steve McNair (Alcorn State), Adrian Peterson (Georgia Southern), Jerry Azumah (New Hampshire), Brian Finneran (Villanova), Dave Dickenson (Montana), and Dave Meggett (Towson).
“I’m very proud of Terrell, in large part because of the tremendous effort, leadership and consistent play that he brought with him every Saturday this fall,” said Elon head coach Pete Lembo. “He really raised his game to a new level in his senior year.”
In 2009, Hudgins led Elon to a 9-3 overall record and its first-ever appearance in the FCS playoffs. Along the way the standout receiver caught a FCS-record 123 passes for a Southern Conference-record 1,633 yards. He led the nation in receiving yards per game (136.1) and receptions per game (10.3) this season. He picked up one SoCon Player of the Week accolade and was named a first-team All-SoCon member by both the coaches and media in 2009. Hudgins also collected two national player of the week honors during the campaign.
Hudgins concluded his career with the Phoenix as the holder of 10 FCS records, including nine set during the 2009 season. Four of the records were held by the legendary Jerry Rice who played at Mississippi Valley State from 1981-84. He also holds numerous Elon and SoCon marks.
Elon quarterback Scott Riddle received one write-in vote for third-place in the voting.
Voting for the award was conducted prior to the playoffs by a panel of FCS sports information directors, writers, broadcasters and other football experts. The three finalists are invited to the 23rd annual Sports Network Awards banquet on Dec. 17 in Chattanooga, Tenn., the night prior to the NCAA Division I championship game.
The Buck Buchanan Award (top FCS defensive player) and Eddie Robinson Award (top FCS coach) will also be presented that night.
A LOOK AT TERRELL HUDGINS’ RECORDS
NCAA Records
• 207 – combined receptions in one season (FCS record with former teammate Michael Mayers in 2007)
• 395 – career receptions (all NCAA Division I record)
• 123 – receptions in a season (done in 2009; FCS record)
• 8.8 – career receptions per game (FCS record)
• 5,250 – career receiving yards (all NCAA Division I record)
• 116.7 – career average yards gained receiving per game (FCS record)
• 28 – career games gaining 100 or more yards receiving (all NCAA Division I record)
• 1.2 – career touchdown passes caught per game (ties FCS record)
• 34 – career games with a touchdown catch (FCS record)
• 4 – career 1,000-yard receiving seasons (all NCAA Division I record)
SoCon Records
• 10 – games in a season with 100 or more receiving yards (done in 2009)
• 5 – consecutive games with 100 or more receiving yards (done once in 2006 and twice in 2009)
• 2,538 – combined receiving yards in a season (with former teammate Michael Mayers in 2007)
• 3 – career 200 or more receiving yard games (tied)
• 52 – career receiving touchdowns
• 1,633 – receiving yards in a season (done in 2009)
Elon Records
• 16 – receptions in a game (vs. Liberty and at Furman in 2007; at Furman in 2009)
• 4 – touchdown receptions in a game (vs. Liberty in 2007)
• 18 – touchdown receptions in a season (2007)