Eastern Illinois University quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo drops back for a pass during a game against Northern Illinois University in DeKalb on Saturday, September 21. He threw for 450 yards and 6 touchdowns against the Huskies.
Jimmy Garoppolo brings back to Arlington Hts. new hardware as the Eastern Illinois and Rolling Meadows alum was named the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Most Valuable Player and this year’s Walter Payton Award winner.
The Payton Award is the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy for FCS players. On Monday, Garoppolo received 74 of 147 first-place votes and 576 points to easily beat Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams (446) and Towson running back Terrance West (370).
Garoppolo is the second EIU player to win the Payton Award. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo first won the honor for the Panthers in 2002.
It was a great regular season for Garoppolo who ranked first in the FCS in passing yards (4,489), passing yards per game (374.1) and touchdown passes (48). Garoppolo also finished second in total offense (377.9 yards per game) and points responsible (25.8 per game), third in passing efficiency (170.6) and fourth in completions per game (26.7).
It finished the season Friday with a loss to Towson. His overall season statistics show 375 completions on 568 pass attempts (66%) for 5,050 yards and 53 touchdowns with only 9 interceptions. The 5,050 yards are the second most in FCS history and his 53 touchdowns are third all-time in FCS for a season. Garoppolo has contributed to 58 touchdowns this season with 53 passes, 4 on the ground and even 1 as a receiver.
Garoppolo finished his career with school records for completions (1,047), attempts (1,668), touchdowns thrown (118) and yards (13,156), to name just a few of his many records. EIU and the Ohio Valley Conference. He was named OVC Player of the Year a few weeks ago.
Jarrett Payton, Walter’s son and St. Viator High School alumnus, presented Garoppolo with the trophy.
Payton took to Twitter to congratulate the winner.
“Congratulations to @JimmyG 10 (Jimmy Garoppolo) for winning the @SportsNetworkUS @walterpayton award! #FCSawards,” said Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) on Monday, December 16.
Rolling Meadows Twitter user @RMHSSMUSTANGS also posted on Monday, Dec. 16, “Congratulations to RMHS graduate Jimmy Garoppolo on winning College Football’s Walter Payton Award (FCS Most Valuable Player).”
Garoppolo (@JimmyG_10) then took to Twitter and said: “Thank you everyone! This night is amazing, I just wish all my brothers and family were here to celebrate.
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