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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The best of the Football Championship Subdivision 2009 were honored Thursday at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

A panel that included James Madison head coach Mickey Matthews, former National Football League greats Wayne Chrebet and Dexter Coakley, and Master of Ceremonies Brock Huard presented the Buck Buchanan (best defensive player), Eddie Robinson (top head coach) and Walter Payton (offensive MVP) Awards.

"When I was coming up and won the [Buck Buchanan] Award, it was nothing like this," said former two-time winner, NFL Pro Bowler and Appalachian State alumnus Coakley. "It feels like I'm getting the award again. To see these guys carrying the torch for FCS, it's a great pleasure.

"Hopefully these guys will get the chance to play at the next level and continue making their universities proud," he said.

"THE WOW FACTOR"

 What Armanti Edwards brought to the Appalachian State program was described thusly by ASU head coach Jerry Moore.

Huard commended Edwards for his 9,000 career passing and over 4,000 rushing yards.

And the Sports Network honored Edwards with his second Walter Payton Award, making him the first two-time recipient of the honor.

It seems only fitting given how many other milestones and firsts Edwards achieved throughout his career. The resume reads like a very long laundry lists: 64 ASU records, two national championships, star of college football's greatest upset.

"It's an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as Walter Payton and sit here with these guys [Karim and Hudgins], who worked their butts off all season," he said.  

But the road to a second Payton Award wasn't a smooth one. Edwards missed the beginning of the season with a foot injury sustained during an off-season lawn mower accident. The two games he missed were the Mountaineers' only regular season defeats.  

Edwards returned strong to score 30 touchdowns -- 18 by ground, 12 by air -- and pass for just below 3300 yards.

Beyond his statistics, Edwards was a leader by example for his ASU comrades.

"He's a great ambassador," fellow Mountaineer Coakley said. "To be able to graduate in three-and-a-half years, and graduate with honors -- that says enough right there.

"He sets an example for kids that 'I can be an athlete and get my degree at the same time,'" Coakley added.  

"You can't ask for more than this. You've got to take your hats off to the coaches...and the other guys on the team, who were breaking a sweat just like I was," Edwards said.

Other finalists for the award were Elon wide receiver Terrell Hudgins and Southern Illinois tailback Deji Karim. Their respective coaches, Pete Lembo and Dale Lennon, introduced the players before the banquet.

Karim battled back from a devastating knee injury that sidelined him late in 2007 and all of 2008, and almost ended his playing career. But rehabilitation brought Karim back better than ever.

He averaged 7.1 yards per rush, finishing the season with a shade below 1700 total yards on the ground, and more than 2,000 all purpose yards.

 "Words can't describe it. Last year at this time I was down in the dumps," Karim said. "I couldn't imagine being where I'm at today. It's a big thing, and I feel it's a team award. I couldn't be where I'm at without my team."

Hudgins helped Elon reach its first postseason since the program's NAIA days. And in doing so, he surpassed names like Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens in the record books.

The receiver finished the campaign with over 1600 yards receiving, placing him over 5200 for his career.  

Edwards said that if he had a vote, it would be for Hudgins.

"This man had 1,000 receiving after five games," Edwards pointed out.

Hudgins said he plans to find an agent and begin working out in preparation for the spring's NFL Draft Combine.   

ALL WORK...AND ALL PLAY

Matthews had the opportunity to present the Buck Buchanan Award to his own player, as defensive end Arthur Moats received the honor.

Moats was a backfield terror, leading the Dukes with 11 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss. He also finished as the team's leading overall tackler, a feat almost unheard of coming from a line player. He had 90.

Matthews regaled those the awards banquet crowd with a story about his recruiting trip to visit Moats. After hours spent playing with his family, Moats suited up for his high school's varsity basketball team -- and from there clocked in at his part-time job at a fast food restaurant.

That same kind of hard work carried over into Moats' gridiron work ethic, as his Herculean stat line proves. Working toward a degree he hopes to put to use as a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Moats should have career options.

At 6'2 and over 250 pounds, NFL teams could come calling on Draft Day.

Moats was all smiles throughout the ceremony, including when he accepted the award and acknowledged his JMU coaches and teammates for helping elevate his game.  

"HE SHOULD WIN COACH OF THE CENTURY"

The above were the words of Matthews, describing Eddie Robinson Award winner Henry Frazier III. The Prairie View A&M sideline general led the Panthers to their first Southwest Athletic Conference championship since 1964, a feat that's impression is compounded when one considers just a decade ago, PVAMU was famous only for its 80-game losing streak.

But with a new attitude and dedication, the Panthers lost just once on the campaign, that coming to Bowl Subdivision participant New Mexico State, en route to a perfect SWAC slate.

"I'm very humbled by this award," Frazier said. "Eddie Robinson, Walter Payton, Buck Buchanan all came from the Southwest Athletic Conference, so to be the first coach from a [Historically Black College & University] to receive this award is incredibly humbling."

A coach who Jerry Moore introduced as someone who truly exemplified what the profession is about, Frazier was quick to point the work of those around him in the Panthers' rise from the gutter.  

"They say it takes a village to raise a kid -- it took a village to turn this around. It wasn't just me. Great assistant coaches, great student athletes and a committed administration -- that's a recipe for success."  

Defensive players for the Texas State Bobcats knew they would need an outstanding effort Saturday against then-11th ranked Stephen F. Austin.

The Lumberjacks' spread offense came into the tilt averaging better than six touchdowns a game, best in the nation, and according to Texas State defensive coordinator Fred Bleil the Bobcats had heard criticism of their defense against such sets.

"We had performed better against running teams than against spread offense. The kids were tired of hearing we weren't playing well against spread offenses after Southeast Louisiana had done so well against us," he said.

Texas State answered those criticisms authoritatively, holding SFA 37 points below its season average and in the process, catapulting itself into the thick of the Southland Conference title chase.

"It's the best effort through all four quarters. We've shown what we can do, just not for four quarters," said linebacker Marcus Clark. Clark finished the day with 16 tackles and recovered a Lumberjack fumble with SFA driving, one of a few key stops Texas State made in the red zone.

"We've been a good red zone D throughout the year, so we were just trying to keep that going," he said.

SFA finished the day with 416 total yards, and while the Lumberjacks moved the ball effectively, there's one place the Bobcats kept them from where it mattered most -- the end zone.

"Bend not break," is how linebacker Joe Bell described the Bobcats' red zone defensive mindset. Bell finished the day with 15 tackles and a sack.

Bending for Texas State case meant forcing Lumberjack turnovers -- three to be exact, including the fumble Bell caused at the Texas State 11-yard line.

"We got breaks, but that's what you've got to do: work hard, and take those breaks," said Texas State defensive coordinator Fred Bleil.

Getting breaks -- or causing them in the red zone has been a hallmark of this Bobcat defense, he added.

"We've not been a good yardage defense, but we've been a good red zone defense," Bleil said. "We may not have the speed in the back end, but once we get down there in those close spaces we can make some plays."

And showing what it was capable of was a motivator for this unit, Clark said.

"Keeping them to seven...that was a statement that we're a defense that can play against anybody."

Bell added that the Lumberjacks' ranking coming in and challenge they posed to the Bobcat defense was just icing on the proverbial cake, as this is a game Texas State marks on its calendar yearly.

"One of our goals that we make every year is to beat SFA and Sam Houston," he said.

The Bobcats are halfway to that goal. Sam Houston is Texas State's finale, Nov. 21 at home, and another important test in the conference race.

Bleil said he believes winning the conference title is essential to earning a postseason berth. The next challenge in that quest comes this weekend against Central Arkansas.

The Bears are not eligible for postseason play until 2010 as a provisional member of the Southland, but have made themselves at home in the conference. UCA is 5-3 on the season, with a win over a Bowl Subdivision opponent (Western Kentucky) and a four-game win streak earlier this season to its credit.

Blue Devil Magic
Central Connecticut State continues to find ways to win games late. One week after defeating Bryant by a point in the final stanza, the Blue Devils rallied for 20 second half points to topple Albany, 31-29. The win keeps CCSU atop the Northeast Conference at 5-0, 7-1 overall.

Sioux Fight
North Dakota blanked a prolific Cal Poly offense through the entire second half to down the visiting Mustangs, 31-17. UND forced three Mustang turnovers in the second half after battling back from a double-digit point deficit to move to 4-4 on the season.

Dukes Break Through
James Madison met some struggles through October, racking up losses to Colonial Athletic Association leaders Villanova and William & Mary. But JMU closed the month strong with a 20-6 defeat of 18th ranked Delaware, its first conference victory of the campaign.

Quarterback Justin Thorpe earned CAA Offensive Player of the Week honors for his 262 yards passing, 42 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the Dukes' win.

An Honor for the Spiders
As Richmond chases down its second straight national championship, attention continues to come the Spiders' way. After defeating Towson 42-14, UR joined Appalachian State (2007) and Northern Iowa (2009) as the only teams in Championship Subdivision history to garner votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Spiders were a vote behind 7-2 Idaho and two behind the Southeastern Conference's Tennessee.

Latest Top 25

Rank	Team (1st Place Votes)	Record	Points	Prev.
1	Richmond (28)	8-0	700	1
2	Montana	8-0	667	2
3	Southern Ill.	7-1	646	3
4	Villanova	7-1	614	4
5	William & Mary	7-1	580	5
6	Elon	7-1	552	6
7	New Hampshire	7-1	510	7
8	Appalachian St.	6-2	508	8
9	South Dakota St.	7-1	475	9
10	South Carolina St.	7-1	453	10
11	McNeese St.	6-2	419	11
12	UNI	5-3	374	14
13	Eastern Ill.	7-2	323	19
14	Holy Cross	7-1	317	17
15	Jacksonville St.	5-3	273	20
16	Eastern Wash.	6-3	225	21
17	Liberty	6-2	201	24
18	Stephen F. Austin	6-2	200	15
19	Central Ark.	5-3	181	12
20	Colgate	8-1	161	25
21	Weber St.	5-4	149	13
22	Prairie View	5-1	116	25
23	Florida A&M	6-2	81	NR
24	Lafayette	7-1	74	NR
25	Delaware	5-3	71	18

The special teams play of Eastern Illinois' Lorence Ricks was certainly special. He scored on an 87-yard punt return, forced a fumble on a Jacksonville State return and blocked a punt attempt in EIU's 28-20 win over JSU.

It was the Gamecocks' first Ohio Valley loss of 2009, and forced a tie atop the OVC. For his efforts, Ricks garnered conference Specialist of the Week honors.

While one league became deadlocked, another broke its tie at the top. Holy Cross jumped two touchdowns ahead of Colgate early in a battle of Patriot League unbeateans. All four of the Crusaders' first half scores were the result of quarterback Dominic Randolph.

South Dakota State maintained its perfect Missouri Valley mark and handed Northern Iowa its second consecutive loss. The Jackrabbits' stingy defense yielded just 14 points, almost 26 fewer than the Panthers' season average entering the game.

The Jackrabbits' win helps them keep pace with Southern Illinois, which employed its own brand of stifling defense in a 27-8 defeat of Youngstown State. The Salukis did not surrender a score until the final stanza.

While the Jackrabbits and Salukis jockeyed for MVFC positioning, conference mate Indiana State made its own noteworthy moves. The Sycamores topped Western Illinois 16-14 for the program's first win under head coach Trent Miles - and the first ISU win since October 2006.

William & Mary maintained pace in the Colonial Athletic Association with a 24-3 drubbing of James Madison. The Tribe attacked the Dukes primarily from the ground, registering 258 yards rushing on the day.

W&M trails league-leader Richmond, which easily handled UMass. 34-12. Villanova remains in a tie for second with W&M, though the Wildcats hold the tiebreaker thanks to their head-to-head victory Oct. 3. The Wildcats trounced Rhode Island 36-7.

Another team battling for playoff consideration and conference title aspirations, McNeese State, needed a dramatic fourth quarter comeback to battle past Southeastern Louisiana. The Southland Conference showdown was an instant classic that featured over 800 yards of combined, total offense.

MSU's Derrick Fourroux threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Richard Conner with 40 seconds left to put the Cowboys ahead. McNeese State needed two touchdowns and a defensively perfect fourth quarter to hand SELA its first Southland defeat.

More late game heroics were needed for Central Connecticut State. The Blue Devils topped Bryant on the road, 24-23, when James Mallory punched in a one-yard rush with 47 seconds to go. CCSU remains atop the Northeast Conference at 4-0 (6-1 overall). Newcomer Bryant is not eligible for postseason play due to transition rules. The Bulldogs have, however, been a threat in the NEC with two conference wins.

INDIVIDUAL STARS

Jeremy Moses, Stephen F. Austin Moses led a 42-3 Lumberjack rout of conference rival Sam Houston State with five touchdown passes and 372 yards through the air.

Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross The HC quarterback threw for 288 yards, rushed for another 116, and scored four touchdowns in the Crusaders' Patriot League win over Colgate.

Lorence Ricks, Eastern Illinois His forced fumble, blocked punt and punt return for a touchdown were integral in Eastern Illinois' road win over Jacksonville State.

Ryan Roberts, Indiana State Converted to quarterback this season as a measure to plug holes, Roberts answered his coach Miles' call with two critical touchdowns in the Sycamores' first win since October 2006: one a 91-yard rush, the other a four yarder in the fourth quarter.

Justin Rogers, Richmond Top ranked Richmond held UMass to 12 points in a Spider win, and doing his part was CAA Defensive Player of the Week Rogers. He had an interception and a recovered fumble in the decision.

No surprise that again the Colonial Athletic Association is home to this Saturday's crown jewel match-up. Defending national champion, top ranked and unbeaten Richmond heads North for a showdown with 14th ranked Massachusetts. The Minutemen have some experience ending undefeated starts -- last week, they handed fellow CAA team New Hampshire its lone loss of the season.

UMass boasts a well-rounded offensive attack: quarterback Kyle Havens' 242.7 passing yards per game and eight touchdowns have helped supplement the multidimensional ground game of Jon Hernandez (408 yards, six touchdowns) and Tony Nelson (377 yards, two touchdowns). In total, this has translated to 30.8 points per game for the Minutemen.

Mirroring that balanced attack, Richmond employs an offensive scheme reliant as much on the rush as the pass. Quarterback Eric Ward is averaging better than 202 yards through the air and has spread the ball around the field -- three receivers have caught for 250 yards or more.

This dandy is available via Gametracker and streaming live on UMass All-Access. Both UMass and UR offer live audio.

Another CAA clash could determine one participant's entire season. It's do-or-die time for the Dukes. James Madison started the season ranked in the top 10, took 2008 Bowl Subdivision postseason qualifier Maryland to overtime and boasted a strong lineup. But proving the CAA's prowess, the Dukes have struggled to an 0-3 start in league play.

Their road gets no easier Saturday, when JMU faces in-state rival William & Mary. The Tribe regrouped from a setback Oct. 3 at Villanova with a three-touchdown victory over Northeastern.

W&M should show the Dukes a healthy dose of running, as four different Tribe rushers are combining for nearly 200 yards per game. Opponents are averaging 146 yards per game against JMU, but the Dukes have had their own success running the ball at 180 yards per. Follow this critical CAA battle online.

The Patriot League race will take shape when ranked foes clash. Undefeated Colgate plays host to Holy Cross with both sporting perfect conference marks and the League's two most prolific offenses. The Crusaders are averaging just shy of five touchdowns-plus-PATs a game at 34.3, and the Raiders are boasting a 29.9 per game average.

But offensive fireworks are no guarantee -- No. 17 Colgate has a stingy defense to go with its potent offense. The Raiders have held opponents to 16.3 points per game. Holy Cross doesn't slouch on that end either, with a 19.5 points per game allowed average.

Video and Audio are both available, as well as Live Stats.

Northern Iowa suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Southern Illinois last week, 27-20. The Panthers have no time to lick their proverbial wounds however, this Saturday traveling to face South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits bounced into the Missouri Valley Conference lead thanks to the Salukis' defeat of UNI, and SDSU will look to stay there.

SDSU's defense is tops among Championship Subdivision programs with 12.4 points allowed per. Senior defensive end Danny Batten has been a menace in opponent backfields, a sure challenge to UNI quarterback Pat Grace. Watch the game live online.

Jacksonville State can give itself some separation in the Ohio Valley. The Gamecocks host Eastern Illinois, with JSU holding a one-game advantage over the second place Panthers. EIU held off Tennessee Tech a week ago on a day that former quarterback Tony Romo had his number retired.

JSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux is the most efficient quarterback in all FCS. He has 17 touchdowns, is throwing for a shade below 12 yards an attempt, has 1284 yards and a ridiculous 195 QB rating. He should test a Panther defense allowing nearly 11 yards per completion. Watch it unfold online.