[November 25, 2009] WSU football: 'Cats player up for 'D' award Tweet Nov 25, 2009 (The Salt Lake Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- It was a humbling experience for senior Josh Morris when the Weber State cornerback found out he was a candidate for the 2009 Buck Buchanan Award, which selects the top defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision. He is among four defensive backs on the 20-person list. "When I saw what that award was about, I was proud," Morris said. "I always felt I was a real good cornerback but to be recognized nationally is quite an experience." Heading into Weber State's first-round playoff game this Saturday, Morris has 37 total tackles, 22 solo stops, five pass breakups and two interceptions. While those stats may not be as prolific as other candidates on the list, he is considered the best cover corner in the FCS. Opponents try to keep the ball away from him, and he is someone opposing quarterbacks look out for. "I haven't been able to make as many plays this year as I did last year," Morris said. "But all those guys are NFL prospects and to be on the same list, it's worth all the hard work." Weber State is also represented in the race for the Walter Payton Award, an honor that goes to the top player in the FCS. Cameron Higgins -- who has completed 238 of 366 passes for 2,890 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, and Trevyn Smith , who has 979 yards on 221 carries, are on the 20-person ballot. Both the Buchanan Award and Payton Award will be announced at the annual Sports Network Awards banquet on Dec. 18 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Something to prove Senior safety Beau Hadley didn't realize how slim his team's chances were of getting into the FCS playoffs as his team got ready to play Cal Poly in Weber State's final regular season game. "We knew it was going to be close but I heard Eastern Washington was for sure ahead of us," Hadley said. "It was frustrating because we won the head-to-head match up. It's crazy to find out what people were really thinking." After last Saturday's game, Eastern Washington finished No. 13 in the The Sports Network FCS Poll and No. 14 in the FCS Coaches Poll. Weber State improved a couple spots this week and is No. 15 and No. 18, in the respective polls. But now that the Wildcats are in the playoffs and will head to Virginia to play William and Mary in the first round, they feel people around the country have the wrong impression about them. "We have the potential and heart and it's up to us to show it," Smith said. "We are the guys that need to be proving something." [email protected] Weber State at William and Mary FCS playoffs Saturday, 11 a.m. To see more of The Salt Lake Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.sltrib.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The Salt Lake Tribune Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]