Courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics Communications

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Senior quarterback Matthew Sluka and senior wide receiver Jalen Coker have been named to the preseason watch list for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the national offensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football and presented by Stats Perform and FedEx Ground.

Both Sluka and Coker were additionally named to the Stats Perform Preseason All-America team, as announced this week. 

Sluka, the Patriot League's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, is a two-time All-Patriot League selection. In 2022, he earned first-team accolades, and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award. He led the conference in rushing yards last season, with 1,234 yards — the most of any FCS quarterback — and 11 touchdowns on the ground. A year ago, he also finished 11th among FCS quarterbacks with 26 touchdown passes, eighth in points responsible for (222) and second in passing yards per completion (16.27). 

Coker earned All-Patriot League first team honors in 2022, leading the team with 11 touchdown receptions and 912 receiving yards. He caught at least one touchdown in eight different games this season, with three touchdown catches in a win over Fordham. 

Holy Cross returns to the gridiron in 2023 after a record-setting 2022 campaign, in which the Crusaders secured their fourth consecutive Patriot League championship. Holy Cross won a program-record 12 games and finished with a 12-1 record, falling in the NCAA FCS quarterfinals to eventual national champion South Dakota State. The Crusaders posted their first 11-0 regular season since 1991.