Pelletier added to STATS FCS Walter Payton Award watch list
11/9/2016 12:46:00 PM | Football
STATS Release
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh junior wide receiver Troy Pelletier has been added to the watch list for the Walter Payton Award, given to the outstanding player in the Football Championship Subdivision, it was announced Wednesday. Pelletier is half of Lehigh's dynamic receiving tandem in which he and classmate Gatlin Casey have both already eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards this season.
Â
Through 10 games, Pelletier leads the Mountain Hawks with 80 receptions. He has pulled slightly ahead of Casey for the team and Patriot League lead in receiving yards with 1,047 to Casey's 1,019. Pelletier also has nine touchdown catches.
Â
Among the FCS receiving leaders, Pelletier and Casey ranked 1-2 in receiving yards for most of the season. Entering Lehigh's bye week, Pelletier ranks fourth in total receiving yards, tenth in receiving yards per game (104.7) and fifth in receptions per game.
Â
This season, Pelletier has six 100-plus yard receiving games, including a 110-yard effort off eight catches in Lehigh's Patriot League championship-clinching win over Bucknell. A 13-catch, 121-yard performance at Villanova started a run of five consecutive 100-yard receiving games for the New Hampshire native. Pelletier's top single game performance this season was a 13-reception, 213-yard, three-touchdown effort in Lehigh's 63-35 win at Yale on Oct. 1.
Â
Pelletier recently eclipsed the 200 career receptions mark and currently ranks fourth in school history in both receptions (207) and yards (2,693). He was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman in the FCS, in 2014.
Â
The initial watch list of 20 players was announced in July with players being added throughout the season. Pelletier was one of eight players added to the list on Wednesday.
Â
Pelletier is the first Lehigh player to appear on the Walter Payton Award watch list since Lee Kurfis in 2013. Prior to that another standout receiver, Ryan Spadola, was named to the 2012 preseason watch list. Quarterback Chris Lum was the runner-up for the Walter Payton Award following Lehigh's Patriot League championship and Lambert Cup winning season in 2011. In the last two seasons, Pelletier and running back Dominick Bragalone were finalists for the Jerry Rice Award.
Â
The 30th Walter Payton Award is voted on by a panel of media members and sports information directors at the conclusion of the regular season. The award will be presented by STATS FCS along with the Buck Buchanan Award (top defensive player), the Eddie Robinson Award (top coach) and the Jerry Rice Award (top freshman).
Â
No. 23/18 Lehigh (8-2, 5-0 Patriot League) has its bye this week and will close out the regular season on Nov. 19 when the Mountain Hawks visit Lafayette for the 152nd meeting of college football's most-played rivalry. The following day, the Patriot League champion Mountain Hawks will learn their destination and opponent for the first round of the FCS playoffs.
Â
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh junior wide receiver Troy Pelletier has been added to the watch list for the Walter Payton Award, given to the outstanding player in the Football Championship Subdivision, it was announced Wednesday. Pelletier is half of Lehigh's dynamic receiving tandem in which he and classmate Gatlin Casey have both already eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards this season.
Â
Through 10 games, Pelletier leads the Mountain Hawks with 80 receptions. He has pulled slightly ahead of Casey for the team and Patriot League lead in receiving yards with 1,047 to Casey's 1,019. Pelletier also has nine touchdown catches.
Â
Among the FCS receiving leaders, Pelletier and Casey ranked 1-2 in receiving yards for most of the season. Entering Lehigh's bye week, Pelletier ranks fourth in total receiving yards, tenth in receiving yards per game (104.7) and fifth in receptions per game.
Â
This season, Pelletier has six 100-plus yard receiving games, including a 110-yard effort off eight catches in Lehigh's Patriot League championship-clinching win over Bucknell. A 13-catch, 121-yard performance at Villanova started a run of five consecutive 100-yard receiving games for the New Hampshire native. Pelletier's top single game performance this season was a 13-reception, 213-yard, three-touchdown effort in Lehigh's 63-35 win at Yale on Oct. 1.
Â
Pelletier recently eclipsed the 200 career receptions mark and currently ranks fourth in school history in both receptions (207) and yards (2,693). He was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman in the FCS, in 2014.
Â
The initial watch list of 20 players was announced in July with players being added throughout the season. Pelletier was one of eight players added to the list on Wednesday.
Â
Pelletier is the first Lehigh player to appear on the Walter Payton Award watch list since Lee Kurfis in 2013. Prior to that another standout receiver, Ryan Spadola, was named to the 2012 preseason watch list. Quarterback Chris Lum was the runner-up for the Walter Payton Award following Lehigh's Patriot League championship and Lambert Cup winning season in 2011. In the last two seasons, Pelletier and running back Dominick Bragalone were finalists for the Jerry Rice Award.
Â
The 30th Walter Payton Award is voted on by a panel of media members and sports information directors at the conclusion of the regular season. The award will be presented by STATS FCS along with the Buck Buchanan Award (top defensive player), the Eddie Robinson Award (top coach) and the Jerry Rice Award (top freshman).
Â
No. 23/18 Lehigh (8-2, 5-0 Patriot League) has its bye this week and will close out the regular season on Nov. 19 when the Mountain Hawks visit Lafayette for the 152nd meeting of college football's most-played rivalry. The following day, the Patriot League champion Mountain Hawks will learn their destination and opponent for the first round of the FCS playoffs.
Â
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Players Mentioned
2025 Brown & Flight - Episode 1
Thursday, September 18
Lehigh Sports Central: Football
Wednesday, August 27
2025 Lehigh Football Season Preview: Special Teams
Thursday, August 21
2025 Lehigh Football Season Preview: Defense
Thursday, August 21
