(Photo courtesy of BSU Photo Services)

Jacob Richard, a senior center on the Ball State football team, was named to the Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List today. The Rimington award goes to the student-athlete that demonstrates excellence at the center position.

Richard is a two-time All-Mid-American Conference performer and was on the 2014 Vince Lombardi Award Watch List, which goes to the nation’s top lineman.

A team captain in 2014 and 2015, Richard started all 12 games as a junior and was part of an offensive line that blocked for Ball State all-time leading rusher Jahwan Edwards. Richard anchored an offensive line that ranked among the nation’s top-20 in fewest sacks allowed and fewest tackles for loss allowed.

The Rimington Trophy was named after former Nebraska center Dave Rimington, a first-team All-America center in 1981 and 1982. The Rimington Trophy, now well over a decade old, has played a major role in raising money to support the cystic fibrosis community and is essential in honoring one of the most pivotal roles on the football field.

Finalists for the Rimington award will be announced on Dec. 7.

Ball State opens the 2015 season Thursday night, Sept. 3, with a home game at Scheumann Stadium against VMI.

A full list of all finalists can be found here.