Numbers Behind the Trophy: How the Top 2026 Walter Payton Award Candidates Stack Up

1. Beau Brungard | QB | Youngstown State

2026 Production: Brungard has put together one of the most explosive start-to-season stretches in FCS football.

Key Games & Numbers:

• vs. Duquesne (Sept. 2026): Set a Youngstown State single-game record with 8 total touchdowns (6 passing, 2 rushing), throwing for 290 yards while rushing for 111 yards.
• vs. Indiana State (Oct. 10, 2026): Accounted for 5 total touchdowns, completing 25-of-34 passes for 386 yards and 3 touchdowns with zero interceptions, alongside 2 rushing touchdowns in a 57–24 victory.

2. Keali’i Ah Yat | QB | Montana

2026 Production (7 Games): 167-of-243 passing (68.7%), 1,942 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and 3 rushing touchdowns.

Key Games & Numbers:

• vs. Northern Colorado (Oct. 3, 2026): Season-high 346 passing yards and 5 touchdown passes on 23-of-30 passing.
• vs. Southern Utah (Aug. 29, 2026): Opened the year with 265 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and a rushing score.

3. Eli Gillman | RB | Montana

2026 Production (7 Games): 106 carries, 783 rushing yards (7.38 YPC), and 11 rushing touchdowns.

Key Games & Numbers:

• vs. Drake (Sept. 5, 2026): Carried 19 times for 105 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.
• Maintains an average of over 110 rushing yards per game as Montana’s primary ground anchor.

4. Justin Lamson | QB | Montana State

• 2026 Production (4 Games): 75-of-101 passing (74.3%), 917 passing yards, 7 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, and 2 rushing touchdowns.
• Key Numbers: Leads the Bobcats in passing efficiency while completing over 74% of his passes, guiding Montana State’s undefeated start to Big Sky play.

5. Marquis Buchanan | WR | Rhode Island

2026 Production (5 Games): 25 receptions, 420 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns.

Key Games & Numbers:

• vs. Stony Brook (Sept. 19, 2026): 7 receptions for 124 yards and 1 touchdown.
• vs. Brown (Oct. 3, 2026): 5 receptions for 90 yards in a 13–10 rivalry victory.

2026 Mid-Season Stat Leaders Comparison