Fresno State’s Ronnie Rivers on third watch list. Here’s why he stands out in conference
Fresno State running back Ronnie Rivers is one of 90 players including eight from the Mountain West Conference who were selected on Friday to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football.
Rivers goes into his senior season having scored at least one rushing or receiving touchdown in 15 consecutive games against conference opponents including the game-winner in overtime of the 2018 Mountain West championship game at Boise State, one of the longest streaks since Fresno State joined the league in 2013.
That run, from 1 yard out off an option pitch from quarterback Marcus McMaryion, clinched the Bulldogs’ third Mountain West football championship.
Boise State running back Jeremy McNichols also scored in 15 consecutive Mountain West games in 2016 and ‘15.
Of the Mountain West running backs and receivers on the Maxwell list, UNLV running back Charles Williams, the Bullard High grad, and Colorado State wideout Warren Jackson have scored a touchdown in two consecutive conference games heading into the 2020 season.
Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier and running back George Holani, Nevada quarterback Carson Strong, San Jose State wideout Tre Walker and Wyoming running back Xazavian Valladay also are on the Maxwell watch list.
The Maxwell has been presented every year since 1937 and last season was awarded to LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, the fourth year in a row and sixth in seven that it was won by a Power Five quarterback.
Alabama running back Derrick Henry won the Maxwell in 2015, between Alabama quarterback A.J,. McCarron (2013), Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota (2014), Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson (2016), Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield (2017), Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (2018) and Burrow.
McMaryion was a finalist for the award in 2018.
The Maxwell is the third watch list for Rivers, who last season rushed for 899 yards and 13 touchdowns and led Mountain West running backs with 43 receptions for 348 yards and three touchdowns.
Rivers also is on the watch list for the Doak Walker Award and the Paul Hornung Award, which go to the top running back and most versatile players in college football.
The semifinalists for the 2020 Maxwell Award are scheduled to be announced Nov. 3 and the three finalists on Nov. 23. The winner will be announced on the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10.
This story was originally published July 24, 2020 at 1:46 PM.