Kupp adds FCS Offensive Player of the Year honor

Next year when he returns for his senior season, Cooper Kupp hopes to take home a different type of trophy from Frisco, Texas.

The sensational Eastern Washington University junior wide receiver won his third NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Offensive Player of the Year honor Jan. 8 in Frisco, Texas, when his name was read among three finalists at the inaugural STATS FCS Awards Banquet and Presentations.

The record-breaking offensive juggernaut edged a pair of running backs – Marshaun Coprich from Illinois State and Kade Harrington from Lamar. Kupp received 34 first-place votes and 378 total to win by narrow margin. Harrington had 349 votes and was picked first on 26 ballots and Coprich finished with 275 votes and 23 first-place votes.

"Obviously it's a great honor, especially to be in the final three with this group of great players," Kupp said. "When your name is called for an honor like this you are humbled - it wasn't something I ever imagined happening. Coprich and Harrington had incredible years and that makes this an incredible honor."

A national panel of 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries voted for the award.

"To be recognized in this regard is a by-product of the incredible work ethic he's had since he arrived here," Eastern head coach Beau Baldwin said of his three-time consensus FCS All-American.

On the eve of the championship game in which the Eagles hope to play next season, Kupp and nine of his family members were in attendance at the banquet. Eastern athletic director Bill Chaves was also there on behalf of Kupp.

Earlier in the week, Kupp was honored as the Offensive Player of the Year by the FCS Athletic Director's Association. Kupp and Defensive Player of the Year James Cowser from Southern Utah received their awards between the first and second quarters at Saturday's championship game in Frisco where North Dakota State defeated top-ranked Jacksonville State 37-10 for their fifth consecutive title.

"Next time I want to be in Frisco with our team," Kupp added. "I would trade this for a chance to play for a national championship with my teammates."

Previously, Kupp was selected as the Walter Payton Award winner for 2015 as selected by Mickey Charles LLC of http://www.FCSAwards.com.

Kupp's name is added to an illustrious list of Player of the Year recipients from Eastern, including four previous recipients of FCS Football's highest honors. Bo Levi Mitchell won the Payton Award in 2011 and Erik Meyer won in 2005. Greg Peach (2008) and J.C. Sherritt (2010) have previously won the Buck Buchanan Award presented to the top defensive player in FCS. A total of eight players from the Big Sky Conference have now won the Payton Award.

It was an illustrious night for the Big Sky Conference, with the three finalists for the FCS Defensive Player of the Year all coming from the league.

Ends James Cowser of Southern Utah, Tyrone Holmes of Montana and Portland State free safety Patrick Onwuasor were all on hand for the ceremony, with Holmes winning it.

The FCS Freshman of the Year was Case Cookus of Northern Arizona and FCS Coach of the Year was Bruce Barnum of Portland State.