* The Sports Network Walter Payton Watch List Release

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell senior quarterback Jeff Mathews in one of 20 players on the preseason Walter Payton Watch list as announced today by the Sports Network. The Payton Award is presented to the top player in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). It is his second straight appearance on the preseason Watch List.

One of the most exciting and productive quarterbacks in the history of the Ivy League, Mathews enters his final season on East Hill on the cusp of history. Already Cornell's career passing leader, he is a two-time Bushnell Cup finalist for Ivy League Player of the Year, and became the first sophomore to ever win the award in 2011. Despite playing through numerous injuries that limited him in 2012, Mathews was one of 20 players on the Walter Payton Award Watch List and a preseason first-team FCS All-American by Beyond Sports College Network as a junior. He was a two-time conference Offensive Player of the Week in 2012 and led the Ivy League in passing attempts (405), completions (251) and yards (3,196). He also finished second in passing touchdowns (18), completion percentage (.620) and pass efficiency (137.5) for players with at least five starts despite missing a game.

Mathews finished 2012 on the All-Ivy second team and was runner-up for the Bushnell Cup. He ranked second nationally in passing yardage (355.1), third in total offense (338.4), 21st in points responsible for (13.8) and 32nd in pass efficiency (137.5). Mathews became Cornell's career passing leader with his 315-yard, three-touchdown effort against Dartmouth, surpassing Ricky Rahne's record of 7,710 yards. His 8,331 yards after three seasons is second all-time in Ivy League history. Mathews passed for at least 300 yards in seven of his nine games. He completed 35-of-51 passes for 525 yards and four touchdowns (0 interceptions) in the win over Princeton. Mathews opened the season by completing 38-of-56 passes for 489 yards and three touchdowns (0 interceptions) in a 34-27 loss at Fordham. He also ran for a score. Mathews passed for 340 yards and four touchdowns without a pick in the win over Yale en route to earning Ivy League co-Offensive Player of the Week honors and threw for 445 yards and a touchdown, along with a late two-point conversion to tie the game, in a 35-28 loss to Ivy champ Penn.

Mathews will lead the offense into fall practice, which begins in mid-August. The Big Red opens the 2013 season at home against Bucknell on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Schoellkopf Field.