MISSOULA — It’s been a decade since a non-quarterback has won the Walter Payton Award, annually bestowed upon the FCS offensive player of the year.

Can the streak be broken this year?

“I tell you what, Michael Wortham is right in the conversation,” said Craig Haley, the FCS senior editor at Stats Perform.

Wortham, Montana’s do-everything star, leads the nation in all-purpose production at 178.75 yards per game. Of the eight players atop the FCS leaderboard, Wortham is the only wide receiver; the rest are running backs.

“He certainly resonates well with me,” Haley said. “I do think he has an excellent shot. It’s been an award that’s quarterback-driven in recent years, but he’s right in the conversation.”

Montana State QB Tommy Mellott won the award last year and South Dakota State quar

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