Rams’ Noah Picton’s record breaking season earns him top university football award

It’s arguably one of the best seasons a quarterback has ever had in Canadian university football history and now Noah Picton has put the icing on the cake.

Picton, the third year University of Regina quarterback, was awarded the Hec Crighton Trophy for most outstanding player in U Sports (formerly CIS) football. It’s the first time a Ram has ever won the prestigious award.

And it would be hard to argue he wasn’t the best player in the league. Picton set a single season U Sports record with 3,186 passing yards. He averaged 398.3 yards per game, reaching 400 or more yards in four of the eight regular season games the Rams played. He also hit a career best 499 yards against Manitoba in early September.

“Truth be told, I said to Noah in March to get his Hec Crighton speech ready – and here we are,” said Rams head coach Steve Bryce in a release. “He’s a fantastic competitor and his efforts this year were integral to the team success we experienced.”

With Picton behind centre and Bryce as head coach, the Rams turned the team around going from 0-8 last season to 6-2 and first place in the Canada West standings. It was the first time the Rams topped the standings since moving over from the Canadian Junior Football League.

“Noah’s leadership and positive attitude drove everyone around him to be better. He is the kind of player and person that inspires those around him, players and coaches alike. Noah is tremendously deserving of this honour and I couldn’t be happier for him,” Bryce added.

Bryce was nominated for coach of the year for the remarkable turnaround he orchestrated, but lost out to Michael Faulds of Wilfred Laurier. Defensive lineman Nick Dheilly was up for rookie of the year, but lost out to Mount Allison’s Jakob Loucks.

Along with the most outstanding player award, Picton was also named to the first all-Canadian team. His cousin and favourite target Mitchell Picton was also named an all-Canadian.