McNeese State football coach Matt Viator and running back Toddrick Pendland are among thecandidates for The Sports Network's Eddie Robinson and Walter Payton awards.

The Eddie Robinson Award honors the top Football Championship Subdivision coach for the 2009 season, and the Walter Payton Award is given annually to the outstanding offensive player in the FCS.

The winners will be announced Dec. 17 in Chattanooga, Tenn., the night before the FCS title game.

McNeese State (9-2) will face UNH (9-2) on Saturday in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

Viator, who is in his fourth season at McNeese State, has guided the Cowboys to the FCS playoffs for the third time. Viator is 33-9 with three Southalnd Conference titles. He was also a candidate for the award in 2006 and '07.

Pendland is the FCS scoring leader with 118 points and is also ranked in the top 10 in rushing with 992 yards.