MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois freshman running back Nikko Watson (Rock Island/Rock Island) was named Honorable Mention by the College Football Performance Awards on Monday. Watson is the sixth different Leatherneck to receive the honor by the CFPA this year.

In his first game, the true-freshman running back rushed for a game-high 149 yards at Youngstown State on 30 carries. He rushed for a 5-yard touchdown, averaging five yards per carry. It's the most yards by a freshman running back in his first game in head coach Mark Hendrickson's tenure at Western.

The Fighting Leathernecks (2-6 overall, 1-4 Missouri Valley Football Conference) travel to Illinois State this Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. The game can be heard on the Leatherneck Sports Network (88.3 FM, 102.7 FM in Macomb) or on the www.GoLeathernecks.com website.