Knock knock. Who’s there? Another Hilltopper has been named to another award watch list.
This time, the player in question is running backLeon Allen,someone who many people (including the editor of this site) are expecting to step up and fill the shoes ofAntonio Andrews,as Allen became the fourth Hilltopper in the past couple of weeks to be named to an award watch list, and the first skill-position player sinceMitchell Henrywas named to the John Mackey one. Allen saw 72 touches last year, and went for 370 yards and five scores and has eclipsed 670 yards and has eight TD’s in just two years (and with an all-out star on the squad) on the Hill. The more you look at it, the more it seems like Allen having a big year is inevitable – what kept Antonio from being a four year success? Oh yeah, a little guy namedBobby Rainey.
Speaking of Andrews and Rainey, they both were previously named to the same watch list, and this year’s inclusion of Allen makes it three times in four years a Hilltopper has done so. Rainey was named to the list in his senior year (2011), while Andrews did so last year (also his senior year). Andrews ended up being one of the 10 semifinalists for the award.
Allen is in elite C-USA company on the list, as only one other Conference back, Louisiana Tech’sKenneth Dixon(who was named to the Preseason First Team All-Conference USA), was named to the 53-man “roster.” (Still baffling the Tops hadno oneselected. Yes, I mad.)
The preseason awards keep on keepin’ on, and if the fourth-place prediction bummed you out, each time a player earns such an honor, just hold your head high, and repeat to yourself “we’ll show them.” Because trust me. We will show them.
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