Four MAC Students Named To Maxwell Award Watch List
The Maxwell Football Club today announced the watch list for the 82nd annual Maxwell Award, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, and the award has been given to America's College Player of the Year since 1937. Maxwell's contributions to the game of football were extensive, including time as a player, a sportswriter and an official.
Representing the MAC are Ball State RB James Gilbert, Buffalo WR Anthony Johnson, Miami WR James Gardner and Ohio QB Nathan Rourke.
Gilbert, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., was forced to redshirt last year after suffering a season-ending injury in the third game against Tennessee Tech. Gilbert scored a touchdown in all three games in which he appeared, including two in the win over UAB. Against Illinois in the 2017 opener, Gilbert recorded 17 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown. As a sophomore in 2016, Gilbert led the MAC with 12 rushing touchdowns and racked up 1,332 rushing yards, the fourth most in a single season by a Ball State player. He currently ranks ninth on the Ball State all-time rushing list with 2,147 yards. Gilbert needs 933 yards to move into a top-five spot on the program's all-time rushing list.
Johnson, a native of Rock Hill, S.C., is just second player in school history to be named to the Maxwell Award watch list, joining former All-MAC running back Branden Oliver. Johnson is coming off a breakout season in 2017 as he had 76 catches for 1,356 yards and a school-record 14 touchdowns. He ranked second in the nation in receiving yards per game (113.0) and third in receiving touchdowns (14). The All-MAC First Team selection had six games of 140 or more receiving yards which was tops in the country.
Gardner, a native of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., led the RedHawks last year with 47 receptions for 927 yards and 11 touchdowns. Gardner earned All-MAC First Team honors last season and ranked third in the MAC with 77.2 yards receiving per game. He had five 100-yard games last year, including an eight catch, 111 yard performance versus Marshall to open the season. Gardner had five catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Austin Peay and added 117 yards and two scores at Notre Dame. His top performance of the season came against arch-rival Ohio in which he had 10 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
Rourke, a native of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, had a breakout sopohomore season as he led the Bobcats to a 9-4 overall record, including a 41-6 win over UAB in the Bahamas Bowl. In 13 games, Rourke set a school record with 21 rushing touchdowns with 137 carries for 912 yards rushing. Rourke threw for 2,203 yards and 17 touchdowns passing on 161-of-292 pass attempts. He was named All-MAC Second Team last year and also set school records with 132 points scored, 22 touchdowns scored and was responsible for 39 touchdowns.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced October 29, 2018, while three finalists will be unveiled November 19, 2018. The winner of the 2018 Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 6, 2018. The formal presentation of this award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on March 8, 2019.
The Maxwell Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 24 awards boast over 750 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story. The members of the NCFAA are unveiling their preseason watch lists over a 12-day period this month. Seventeen of the association’s 24 awards select a preseason watch list and the NCFAA has spearheaded a coordinated effort to promote each award’s preseason candidates.
