FLORENCE, Ala. – Humboldt State sophomore running back Ja’Quan Gardner, the nation’s leading rusher and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year, was announced as a Harlon Hill Finalist Wednesday.

The eight regional finalists, two from each super region, now advance to the national ballot where one will be selected as the 2015 Harlon Hill Trophy winner. The Harlon Hill Trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player in NCAA Division II football.

The Ceres, Calif., native led the Green and Gold to their first postseason berth since 1968, a run which included a first round home victory over Augustana. Gardner carried the ball for over 100 yards in 10 games, including six performances with 200-plus yards. He compiled 25 rushing touchdowns and 2,266 rushing yards. The sophomore broke the GNAC single-season rushing record of 2,153 set last year by Azusa Pacific’s Terrell Watson and set a new GNAC single-season carries record with 337.

Gardner became the Humboldt State’s single-season rushing leader versus Dixie State (1,735). He ran for at least three touchdowns in four consecutive games (Sept. 12-Oct. 10) and matched a program record with five rushing scores on the road against South Dakota Mines (Oct. 3). Gardner broke the program single-game rushing record with 305 yards on 36 carries versus Azusa Pacific (Oct. 10).

Not only was he dominant on the ground, he was also been effective passing the ball. Gardner has thrown touchdown passes of 66 yards and 43 yards and is 2-for-2 passing this season.