By: Michael Goss
KENNESAW, Ga – Kennesaw State quarterback
Xavier Shepherd's recent offensive production has garnered him as one of 11 players that were added to the FCS Walter Payton Award Watch List. This is the second midseason award watch list Shepherd has been featured on, after being named to the FCS National Performer of the Year ballot. The sophomore has won eight of his first nine career starts at quarterback, a feat that has never been done in Owls' history.
This season, Shepherd has totaled 1,034 passing yards and 668 rushing yards. The sophomore's 12 rushing touchdowns rank fifth in the FCS and his 13 passing touchdowns are tied for the KSU single-season record. The Nashville native has been on fire lately with 10 of his 13 touchdown passes thrown in the last three games, where he has compiled 506 passing yards. Shepherd became the first quarterback in Kennesaw State history to throw four touchdown passes in a single game when he did so against Gardner-Webb (Oct. 30). He followed that performance with another four-touchdown game on the road at Robert Morris (Nov. 6).
The quarterback is a three-time Big South Offensive Player of the Week selection and a two-time FCS National Performer of the Week Honorable Mention. He is the second quarterback in Kennesaw State history to appear on the Walton Peyton Award Watch List.
Chandler Burks, current KSU quarterbacks/b-backs coach, appeared on the list in 2017 and 2018. Burks finished as the 2018 national runner-up for the award.
Shepherd and the Owls (8-1, 5-0 Big South Conference) are back in action this Saturday, Nov. 13 as they travel to Florence, Ala. to take on the University of North Alabama Lions (2-7, 1-3). Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. inside Braly Stadium.
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