HUNTSVILLE -- Sam Houston State running back D.D. Terry first caught the attention of opposing coaches with an 85-yard rushing performance against the University of Texas. After that he caught fire, topping the century mark four straight games, including last week's 253-yard effort against McNeese State.

Not only did last week's game earn him Southland Conference player of the week recognition, but it also turned a few heads on the national scene. On Wednesday, Terry was one of three new players added to the Walter Payton Award watch list.

The Walter Payton award is presented annually by The Sports Network to the top offensive player in Division I-AA football. A total of 16 players are named to the watch list, which is revised throughout the season. The list will get one more revision on Nov. 20 before the ballot is sent out to selected media and sports information directors.

This season Terry has run for 877 yards and 10 touchdowns in seven games, after missing the opener against Arkansas-Monticello. Terry saw limited action is his first two games in the lineup, toting the ball just 10 times against SMU and nine a week later against Missouri State.

But on Sept. 30, Terry, a former linebacker for the Bearkats, had his
breakout game against the seventh-ranked, defending Bowl Championship Series champion Texas Longhorns. Terry ran 21 times for 85 yards against the then No. 2-ranked team against the run in Division I-A. Terry's performance is still second best individually this season against the Horns, behind a 109-yard effort by Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson.

A week later, Terry introduced himself to the Southland Conference with a 109-yard game against Northwestern State including a 74-yarder on the game's first offensive play. Terry has followed that up three more impressive outings. He went for 176 yards and three touchdowns against Nicholls State, 135 yards and a score against Central Arkansas and last week's career-high game against McNeese State.

Terry's 37 carries and 253 yards moved him near the top in two SHSU rushing records as well. The 37 carries is second-most in SHSU history behind Charles Harris' 39 against North Texas in 1993. He is also second in single game yards behind McNeil Moore who ran for 286 against Lamar in 1951, when the Kats competed at the NAIA level. The 253 yards is also a Bowers Stadium collegiate record, passing Curtis Thomas's 218 set against SFA in 1990.

Terry is the fourth Sam Houston State player to be named to the Payton watch list and the first running back. Dustin Long was the last of a trio of Bearkat quarterbacks on the list when he finished as the runner up to Lang Campbell of William and Mary in 2004. In 2001 Josh McCown finished seventh in the voting, losing to current Dallas Cowboy starting quarterback Tony Romo.. Chris Chaloupka was the first Bearkat to make the list in 1999 when he finished 13th in the voting.