FARGO, N.D. - Stats Perform has added North Dakota State left tackle Cody Mauch to the watch list for the Walter Payton Award, which is presented annually to the top offensive player in the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision.

Mauch, a sixth-year senior from Hankinson, N.D., was already on the preseason watch list for the Reese's Senior Bowl, widely recognized as college football's top all-star game.

A second team Associated Press All-American last year, Mauch is a two-time All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honoree. He has earned two MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week awards this season.

Mauch has played in 54 career games including 31 consecutive starts on the Bison offensive line. NDSU is ranked fifth in the FCS averaging a conference-best 246.0 rushing yards per game, and the Bison are No. 2 nationally in fewest tackles for loss allowed (2.86/game) and No. 3 in sacks allowed (0.71/game).

Mauch is the second NDSU player named to the Walter Payton Award watch list this year. Fullback Hunter Luepke, NDSU's leading rusher who ranks fifth nationally in total touchdowns, was named to the preseason watch list.

North Dakota State is off this week before returning to action next Saturday, Oct. 29, hosting Illinois State.