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QB Lynch named to Maxwell Award watch list

July 8, 2013
Jordan Lynch

Jordan Lynch

Northern Illinois University quarterback Jordan Lynch added another preseason accolade when was named to the 2013 Maxwell Award watch list.

Named in honor of Robert W. “Tiny” Maxwell, the Maxwell Award has been given annually to America’s College Player of the Year since 1937. The watch list candidates have been chosen by the Maxwell Football Club’s selection committee, which analyzes both past performance and future potential. Semifinalists for the Maxwell Awards will be announced Oct. 29, while three finalists will be unveiled Nov. 25.

Lynch, who is one of 76 football players across the country to make the watch list, earned second team All-America honors from the Associated Press and Phil Steele’s Magazine last season and won the Vern Smith Leadership Award as MAC MVP.

A product of Mt. Carmel High School, Lynch led the Huskies to a 12-game winning streak, including a double overtime win over Kent State, and a berth in the 2013 Orange Bowl.

Lynch became the first Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in NCAA history to pass for more than 3,000 yards (3,138) and rush for more than 1,500 yards (1,815) in a single season. Last season, the Chicago native ranked fourth in the nation in rushing and had more 100-yard games (12) than any other player in Division I.

Jordan LynchLast week, Lynch and teammate Tommylee Lewis (Riviera Beach, Fla./W.T. Dwyer) were named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list. NIU has launched a Heisman Trophy campaign for Lynch for 2013 centered around the theme, Jordan Lynch for 6,” including a website, www.JordanLynchfor6.com, a Facebook page and a Twitter account @LynchFor6. Lynch finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting last year.

One of seven players from the Mid-American Conference on the list, Lynch is joined by running backs Dri Archer of Kent State, Beau Blankenship of Ohio, Toledo’s David Fluellen, Branden Oliver of Buffalo, and Central Michigan’s Zurlon Tipton and quarterback Keith Wenning of Ball State.

For more information on NIU football and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.