Thanks to strong starts in helping Illinois State open the season with a 6-0 record, Redbird junior running back Marshaun Coprich and junior quarterback Tre Roberson were among 30 players named to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy Watch List on Wednesday.

The list includes 24 quarterbacks and six running backs and four watch list members have previously earned CFPA honors, including 2013 CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy winner Vernon Adams. Coprich and Roberson were two of seven players from the Missouri Valley Football Conference who made the list.

Also a member of the Walter Payton Award Watch List, Coprich has rushed for 844 yards and 12 touchdowns to help the Redbirds to a 6-0 start in 2014. He has rushed for 100 yards or more each contest for ISU and ranks second in the MVFC in rushing yards per game with 140.7, trailing only Zenner. His 12 rushing touchdowns lead the MVFC and rank second in the country behind Gus Johnson of Stephen F. Austin.

Roberson has been extremely efficient in his first season under center at Illinois State, following his transfer from Indiana. Roberson leads the MVFC in total offense at 254.8 yards per game, and passing efficiency with a mark of 161.9. He also ranks No. 1 in all of FCS football in passing yards per completion at 17.86, and his efficiency rating ranks him No. 6 overall. On the season, Roberson has completed 66-of-119 pass attempts (55.5 percent) and thrown for 1,179 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 350 yards and three scores on the ground.