CLARKSVILLE, TN – Graduate student Mike DiLiello became the first Austin Peay State University quarterback to earn recognition as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, presented by FedEx Ground and Stats Perform. In its 37th season, the Walter Payton Award recognizes the FCS National Offensive Player of the Year.

DiLiello, a Pembroke Pines, Florida product, becomes the third Governors athlete to make the Walter Payton Award Finalist List. He joins running back Jay Bailey and wide receiver DeAngelo Wilson, who were finalists in 2002 and 2020.

In his second season as starting quarterback, DiLiello has led Austin Peay to a program-record nine consecutive wins en route to a second-straight conference championship. The Governors also earned their second FCS Playoff appearance, which begins with a 2 p.m., Saturday contest against Chattanooga at Fortera Stadium. Tickets for the Govs’ Saturday FCS Playoff game against the Mocs are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com.

At the regular season’s end, DiLiello ranks third among FCS quarterbacks with 3,057 passing yards, fourth in total offense with 3,256 yards, and fourth in total points responsible for with 192 points courtesy of his 27 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns. He also is sixth nationally in passing efficiency (163.50).

DiLiello is just the second Austin Peay quarterback to pass for 3,000 yards in a season and the first to do so during the regular season. He trails record-holder JaVaughn Craig, who amassed 3,208 passing yards in 15 games, and needs 152 yards to break the single-season passing record. DiLiello also is the first APSU quarterback to pass for 2,000 or more yards in multiple seasons.

In addition to his passing prowess, DiLiello is also approaching the Austin Peay total offensive yards mark. His 3,256 yards – 3,057 passing and 199 net rushing yards – ranks second in program history. DiLiello enters the weekend with 6,149 total offensive yards during his career and needs only 72 yards (passing and rushing combined) to break the record held by Craig (6,220 yards).

All of those personal accolades have pushed Austin Peay’s offense into rarified air. The Governors are averaging 35.3 points, 438.3 yards of total offense, and 289.3 passing yards per game. Each of those marks ranks among the FCS Top 10 this season and would break their respective program record.

DiLiello is one of 30 finalists for the Walter Payton Award. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas – the eve of the FCS championship game.