(STATS) – How often quarterbacks are producing touchdowns in the FCS are at a high level this season.
The “points responsible for” statistic is driven by signal callers because it tracks who has a hand in a team’s scoring, whether it be off a run, pass, reception, return, turnover or kick.
Former Sam Houston State quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe, the two-time winner of the STATS FCS Walter Payton Award, was the 2017 national leader by being responsible for 20.6 points per game. This season, the top 10 quarterbacks in the statistic are averaging the same 20.6 points per game.
Princeton senior John Lovett is first in the FCS with 27.5 points per game from 18 touchdowns – 12 passing and six rushing. With games out of reach, Lovett has sat out nearly four quarters of the No. 25 Tigers’ 4-0 start.
He was the Ivy League’s offensive player of the year as an all-purpose threat in 2016, ranking fourth in the FCS in points responsible for per game. A hand injury sidelined Lovett last season, and he’s returned strictly as a quarterback.
“He’s throwing the ball well, he’s making decisions better and he’s just showing such a better grasp of playing that position,” Princeton coach Bob Surace said. “You feel a lot better when the ball’s in his hands most of the plays.”
Senior Taryn Christion of No. 2 South Dakota State is second nationally with an average of 24 points responsible per game – notching 15 of his 16 touchdowns through the air. He ranked fourth last season (19) after being ninth as a sophomore in 2016 (17.1).
Drake’s Grant Kraemer is third with a 21-point average, while Samford’s Devlin Hodges and Campbell’s Daniel Smith are tied for fourth in producing 20 points per game.
The rest of the top 10 are: 6. Towson’s Tom Flacco (19.6); 7. Rhode Island’s JaJuan Lawson (19.5); 8. North Dakota State’s Easton Stick (19.2); 9. Kennesaw State’s Chandler Burks (19); and 10. Lamar’s Daniel Colbert Jr. and San Diego’s Anthony Lawrence at 18.4 each. Interestingly, Burks has produced 14 of his 19 touchdowns on the ground.
The highest average by a non-quarterback is shared by Eastern Illinois wide receiver Alexander Hollins and Dayton running back Richie Warfield, who are part of an eight-way tie for 57th in the FCS with 11 points responsible per game.
25% Bonus via Western Union
