The Harlon Hill Award often is called the Heisman Trophy of NCAA Division II football.
Could this year’s hardware end up in the hands of a player from … Slippery Rock?
Could happen.
Slippery Rock senior quarterback Roland Rivers III is one of the eight finalists for the Hill Award, named after former North Alabama and Chicago Bears player Harlon Hill, who played in the 1950s.
Rivers, an Ellenwood, Ga. native, was selected out of Super Region One.
He leads the nation in total offense with 4,449 yards, and also ranks first in passing efficiency (189.7) and passing touchdowns (44).
He has thrown for 3,825 yards, one of his many SRU records.
Rivers is 22-2 as a starter and has not lost a PSAC game (14-0) in his career.
He has 72 touchdowns in 24 games.
The other Hill finalists are: Notre Dame (Ohio) running back Jaleel McLaughlin (Super Region One), who will go against Rivers Saturday in the NCAA quarterfinals at Slippery Rock; Valdosta State quarterback Rogan Wells and Lenoir-Rhyne defensive end Jaquan Artis (Super Region Two); Central Missouri quarterback Brook Bolles and Harding running back Cole Chancey (Super Region Three); and Minnesota State running back Nate Gunn and Tarleton State receiver Zimari Manning (Super Region Four).
The Harlon Hill winner will be announced Dec. 20.
The recipient will be honored Jan. 9 at the Little Rock Touchdown Club awards banquet in Arkansas.
Appreciate it ! & #GoRock ! ✅ let’s pack the stadium Saturday
— Roland Rivers III (@roqb14) December 4, 2019
FB: TOUCHDOWN! Roland Rivers III hits Jermaine Wynn Jr. with a perfect ball over the top of the defender. Wynn now has 13 catches for 195 yards and 2 TDs. Rock leads Shepherd 30-23 with 2:29 to play in the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/Zhafu47A3P
— Rock Athletics (@Rock_Athletics) November 30, 2019
FB: TOUCHDOWN! Roland Rivers III escapes pressure and finds a diving Reggie Mays Jr. in the back of the end zone. Rock leads Shepherd 13-0 with 6:52 to play in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/7MXrLR9vPr
— Rock Athletics (@Rock_Athletics) November 30, 2019
