SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University quarterback Nigel Barksdale has been named a region finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy.

The Harlon Hill — NCAA Division II’s version of the Heisman Trophy — is presented at a dinner the weekend of the Division II championship game.

There are 49 teams in Super Region One and Barksdale is one of seven finalists selected per vote of the region’s sports information directors. That list will be pared to two names for the national ballot.

The nation Harlon Hill ballot will contain eight names — two each from the four Division II regions.

“Nigel is very deserving of this honor,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “He doesn’t have the career numbers of some of the other candidates, but no one has done more in 15 collegiate starts than he has.”

Barksdale has thrown for 3,326 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. Both figures are SRU records. He’s also rushed for 349 yards and four TDs.

He becomes SRU’s first contender for the Harlon Hill since quarterback Randy McKavish in 1999. McKavish and Rock running back Greg Paterra (1988) have both reached the national ballot.

The three national finalists are invited to the awards dinner. Neither McKavish nor Paterra reached that point.

“Anyone who has seen Nigel play would have to agree he’s one of the best Division II players in the country,” Mihalik said.

“What he’s done here, coming back from a serious knee injury in Week 10 of last year to be ready to start Game 1 this year is a tribute to his work ethic.

“Sometimes, hard work is rewarded,” Mihalik added.

When asked about the prospects of being a Harlon Hill Trophy contender earlier this season, Barksdale only smiled about the possibility.

“Of course, it’d be nice,” he said. “But that’s not my purpose here. I’m here to do my job and help us win games.”

And that includes studying the game.

“He is a true student of the game,” Mihalik said. “Nigel puts in extra film time all of the time. He gets to know the opponent.

“Nigel is a humble guy. His goals are team-oriented, not personal.”

Barksdale began his junior season at The Rock — his first year at SRU — as the No. 2 quarterback behind Jared Buck. He only started four games last season.

An early-season injury to Buck gave Barksdale his first minutes of action.

“He was still learning our offense at the time,” Mihalik said.

When this season is over, Barksdale may have an opportunity to play pro football in Canada, if he so desires.

“We haven’t talked about it at all, but McKavish was offered an opportunity with Calgary in the CFL and opted to turn it down,” Mihalik said. “I would imagine Nigel could get a chance in that league, too.

“We’re just so excited about what’s happening now. All of our thoughts are on what could still happen for us this season.”

The Rock (9-1) travels to Bloomsburg (8-1) for the PSAC Championship Game Saturday. Kickoff is at 12:30 p.m.