Ball State University Athletics
Football Players Named to Additional Watch Lists
August 24, 2007 | Football
Two Ball State football student-athletes have been added to national award watch lists for the 2007 season.
Nate Davis (Bellaire, Ohio/Bellaire H.S.), who was one of 32 players in the country named to the Manning Award Watch List earlier this year, has now been added to the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List. Davis is one of 35 quarterbacks in the country named to the Davey O'Brien Watch List. Davis received honorable mention on the 2006 Sporting News Freshman All-America Team last year after playing in all 12 games and starting seven as a true freshman last fall. He tied the Ball State single-season record with 18 touchdown passes. Davis completed 150-of-245 passes for 1,975 yards and a .612 completion percentage mark. His 1,975 yards rank as the fourth best single-season effort in Ball State history.
Darius Hill (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs H.S.), who was named to the John Mackey Award Watch List earlier this year, has been added to the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List. The Mackey Award goes to the nation's most outstanding tight end, while the Lombardi Award goes to the top down lineman on offense or defense and includes tight ends and linebackers. Hill, who received honorable mention on the 2006 All-Mid-American Conference Team, played in all 12 games last season and tied the Ball State single-season record with 10 touchdown receptions. Hill was recognized by Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel as the "Best Player You Have Never Heard Of", and Hill received honorable mention on the SI.com team last season. Hill managed 42 catches for 741 yards. He had four games of 100 plus receiving yards, and had a career high 119 receiving yards at Purdue.
The Cardinals will open the 2007 season Aug. 30, vs. Miami University in a renovated Scheumann Stadium at 7 p.m. in a game aired on the Ball State Radio Network and televised by Comcast Local.
