CHARLESTON, S.C. – University of Dayton redshirt sophomore quarterback Jack Cook has been named to the College Football Performance FCS Performer of the Year Award Watch List.  He is one of 40 student-athetes on the list, and one of three from the Pioneer Football League.

Cook, who was named to the HERO Sports FCS Freshman All-America Team and was also the Pioneer Football League's Freshman Offensive Player of the Year in 2018, was thrust into the starting quarterback role after redshirt senior and four-year starter Alex Jeske tore his ACL in the first quarter of the season's first game. Cook's first two starts came against teams that not only reached the FCS playoffs this season, but they both won their first-round game.

 Cook, a redshirt freshman from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, led all FCS freshmen in passing efficiency (155.5, 8th overall) and was ranked third among all FCS freshmen in passing yardage (2,421) and passing touchdowns (20).

 He was 170 of 280 passing (.607) for 2,421 yards and 20 touchdowns (with just two interceptions) for the year.  Both of his interceptions were in late-game desperation downfield situations.  The yardage was the second-best single-season mark in UD history, and the passing TD's were third.

 Cook was also Dayton's second-leading rusher, with 421 net yards on 91 attempts. (4.6 avg.).  He ran for eight touchdowns.

 In the PFL, Cook was fourth in total offense per game (258.5).  The next closest freshman is Stetson running back Jareem Westcott at 78.2.   Cook was also fifth in passing yards per game (220.2) behind then-seniors Anthony Lawrence of San Diego, Colin McGovern of Stetson, Grant Kraemer of Drake and Will Marty of Butler.

 Cook had two record-breaking days last season.  At San Diego, Cook threw for a UD-record 432 yards (29 of 40) and had a hand in all five Flyer TD's (4 passing, 1 rushing).  At Butler, he tied his current position coach, Kevin Hoyng, for the UD record for touchdown passes in a game (5).  Cook completed 16 of 19 passes for 254 yards in that game.

Dayton was 6-5 a year ago, and 5-3 in the Pioneer Football League.  Three of UD's five losses in 2018 were to teams that reached the FCS playoffs.  Dayton returns 13 starters – seven from the offense, and six from the defensive side of the ball.   

The Flyers open the season at Indiana State on Saturday, Sept. 7.  Dayton's home opener is Saturday, Sept. 21 against Duquesne.  For ticket information, please visit DaytonFlyers.com.