By: By Jake Dorow
Official ReleaseÂ
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State junior QB
Chandler Burks has been named to the 2017 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Performer of the Year Trophy Midseason Watch List, which was announced Tuesday afternoon.
Burks, a Douglasville, Ga., native, has compiled his best season with the Owls, leading the third-year program to a historic 7-1 start and 3-0 mark in Big South action. The two-time Big South Offensive Player of the Week and CFPA National Performer of the Year Watch List selection ranks first in the Big South in total points responsible for (90), rushing touchdowns (10), and second in total touchdowns (15).
His most recent performance at Presbyterian helped the Owls win their seventh straight game as the quarterback tied the school record by accounted for all four touchdowns in the win. He rolled up 171 all-purpose yards (93 passing, 78 rushing) to help guide KSU to a 28-0 victory over the Blue Hose.
The nearby South Pauling High School product has rushed for a team-high 606 yards on 135 attempts, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and 75.8 yards per game. The junior has completed 42-of-88 passes for 770 yards, compiling a 135.43 passing efficiency.
During the Owls' seven-game winning streak, Burks has led an offense that is averaging 31.4 points per game and 431.7 total yards. Kennesaw State enters the week as the nation's top rushing team, averaging 329.4 per game and has rushed for 300 or more yards in five straight games.
Other players on the watch list includes: Lance Dunn (North Dakota State), Easton Stick (North Dakota State), Roc Thomas (Jacksonville State), Tommy Stuart (Duquesne), Josh Mack (Maine), Taryn Christion (South Dakota State), and Lamar Raynard (N.C. A&T). The list of 36 total players has been narrowed down from 42 on the original release on August 8.
The 2017 CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy Award is a 22-inch K-9 optic crystal tower with an eight-inch crystal football on top. All FCS players are eligible, and the award winner will be announced on Jan. 10, 2018. Â
The CFPA is in its 10th season of player and team performance recognition. Alabama's Derrick Henry won the award in 2015 and USF's Quinton Flowers won the award in 2016. Quarterback Bryan Schor of James Madison won the 2016 CFPA FCS award a season ago.
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Fifth Third Bank is the Official Bank of Kennesaw State Athletics. Fifth Third Bank Stadium, the signature athletics landmark on the Kennesaw State University campus, is a world-class facility that has been recognized as one of the premier multi-use outdoor athletics venues in the country. In the fall of 2015, it become the official home of Owls football team and is home to Owls soccer and lacrosse as well.
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Keep up with Kennesaw State Athletics by following KSU on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook. You also can follow Kennesaw State football at @KennesawSTFB and The Owls fund on Twitter at @TheOwlsFund.
--#GoKSUOwls--
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