PRINCETON, N.J. – Dartmouth senior quarterback Nick Howard was one of 35 players named to the Walter Payton Award preseason watch list, Stats Perform announced Wednesday afternoon.
 
Named after football icon Walter Payton, the award is presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision.
 
A First Team All-Ivy honoree in 2021, Howard did much of his damage on the ground in his breakout season last year. The Green Bay, Wis., native led the league in rushing touchdowns with 15 and was third in rushing yards with 787. Howard was also 11-for-18 through the air, passing for 126 yards and a touchdown.
 
More players can join the watch list during the regular season, and afterwards a national media panel will select the winner. First awarded in 1987, the Payton has watched past recipients such as Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance move on to the NFL.
 
A total of six Ivy League football games will air on ESPN linear networks this season. All other Ivy League home football games outside of this six-game package will air on ESPN+, while select games will also be available through a variety of regional sports networks. 
 
The 2022 Ivy League football season kicks off on at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 16 with Harvard welcoming Merrimack. The remaining seven schools will open their seasons on Saturday, Sept. 17.