South Dakota State University running back Zach Zenner was officially added Tuesday to the 2012 Walter Payton Award Watch List.

The Payton Award, presented by The Sports Network, and in its 26th year, is presented to the outstanding player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

A sophomore from Eagan, Minn., Zenner leads the nation in rushing with 1,077 yards through five games — an average of of 215.4 yards per game. He has scored six touchdowns, including scoring runs of 99 yards in the season opener at Kansas and 88 yards last week against Missouri State. Zenner is averaging 7.9 yards per carry in becoming only the third back in Missouri Valley Football Conference history to reach the 1,000-yard mark in five games.

The Payton Award will be voted on by a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season on Nov. 19. The top three vote-getters will be invited to the FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation on Dec. 17 in Philadelphia.

Zenner and the 23rd-ranked Jackrabbits resume action Oct. 13, hosting Western Illinois in the Hall of Fame Game.