SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University senior quarterback Roland Rivers III capped a memorable week by winning the Harlon Hill Trophy Friday morning.

The Harlon Hill — named after the late University of North Alabama standout who went on to play for the Chicago Bears — has been presented to the top NCAA Division II football player in each of the past 34 years.

“It's been a goal of mine since 2014 to have my name attached to that trophy,” Rivers said. “I can't believe it actually happened. I'm at a loss for words right now.

“While it's a nice personal thing for me, this award is actually a tribute to our team. Without our offensive line, those great receivers, our running backs and coaches ... There's no way this happens.”

Earlier in the week, Rivers was named the National Offensive Player of the Year by the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association and first team All-American by the D2CCA and Associated Press.

Rivers racked up the fourth-highest total of first place votes in Harlon Hill history. He received 54 of 96 first place votes and 199 points overall. He received the most first place votes since 2008.

Notre Dame (Ohio) running back Jaleel McLaughlin finished second in the balloting with 142 points and 20 first place votes.Tarleton State receiver Zimari Manning was third with 93 points and 10 first place votes.

Rivers will accept the trophy at a banquet Jan. 9 in Little Rock, Ark.

“Myself and a few others from The Rock will be down there to support him,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “This award puts the icing on the cake for our season.

“What Roland accomplished this year goes beyond words. He was absolutely incredible.”

Rivers ranked first in the nation with 4,460 passing yards, 52 touchdown passes and 5,160 yards of total offense. He threw only seven interceptions and ran for more than 700 yards and nine touchdowns.

Beginning his college career at Valdosta State in Georgia, Rivers — who hails from Atlanta — transferred to The Rock after taking a medical redshirt in 2017. He tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder in 2016.

“He took a leap of faith in coming here,” Lutz said. “He didn't even know where Slippery Rock was.”

Rivers' 99 career touchdown passes in Division II are 25 more than any other active D-II quarterback this year.

He guided The Rock to a 23-3 overall record in two years, shattering the SRU record by throwing 80 TD passes in those games. In three playoff games this year, Rivers threw for 1,051 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception.

“We fell short of our goal to win the national championship,” Rivers said.”But I don't regret one second of coming to Slippery Rock. I've had a tremendous experience here and I'm grateful to so many people.

“When I tore my labrum, I didn't know if I'd be able to play quarterback again. I didn't know if I'd even be able to throw a football.

“I just kept working at it. I learned how to battle adversity. I wanted to reward the people who believed in me,” Rivers added.

Rivers became the first PSAC West player to win the Harlon Hill Trophy. He joins PSAC East winners Irvin Sigler (1997) and Franklin Quiteh (2013) of Bloomsburg, Jimmy Terwilliger (2005) of East Stroudsburg and Zach Zulli (2012) of Shippensburg.

“A lot of great players have come through SRU,” Rivers said. “For me to be the first to get the Harlon Hill when guys like Marcus Martin (all-time college football sack leader) didn't get it ... It's humbling.”

Rivers is committed to play in the College Gridiron Showcase the week of Jan. 4 in Fort Worth, Texas. He hopes to get invited to the NFLPA All-Star Game, East-West Shrine Game or Senior Bowl as well.

“I want to play as much as I can,” he said. “I've got more to prove. I want to play at the next level. I'm going to have my skeptics, being a Division II quarterback.

“I have to go through the (NFL) Combime, there's a lot of work to do. But I feel like I'm up for it.”

So does his coach.

“Don't be surprised if he's on an NFL roster next year,” Lutz said. “This guy loves the game of football. He's got the fire. He wants to keep playing.

“I belive he could have started for any Power Five conference school in the country. I think he's that good.”