MACOMB, ILL. - Western Illinois freshman running back Nikko Watson (Rock Island/Rock Island) and junior linebacker Theon Dixon (Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville) were named as Honorable Mention performers by the College Football Performance Awards on Monday (Nov. 14).

Watson earned the award for the second time this year, and Dixon becomes the seventh Leatherneck to receive the honor this season.

Watson rushed for a game-high 170 yards on 29 carries on Saturday against South Dakota State. Watson also made one catch for nine yards. The 170 yards on the ground was the most by a Leatherneck this season. He is currently averaging 126 rushing yards in his three games as a Leatherneck.

Dixon made a total of eight tackles on Saturday. The junior also recorded 4.5 tackles for loss while getting to South Dakota State's quarterback once. Dixon ranks 13th in tackles and 5th in tackles for loss in the MVFC.

Western Illinois (2-8 overall, 1-6 Missouri Valley Football Conference) close out the 2011 season at home against No. 5 North Dakota State Saturday at 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.