Nov. 30, 2011
NEW ORLEANS - Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III is one of 10 finalists for the Manning Award, the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced Wednesday. The Manning Award is presented annually to the nation's top college quarterback.
RG3 is now a finalist for the Manning Award, the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and the Wuerffel Trophy. The Manning Award is the only quarterback award that includes candidates' bowl performances in its balloting. The 2011 winner will be announced Jan. 18, after all bowl games have been played.
Through 11 games, RG3 has passed for a school-record 3,678 yards and 34 touchdowns, while throwing only five interceptions and completing 72.6 percent of his passes. He's also rushed for 612 yards and seven touchdowns, giving him 41 total touchdowns on the year.
RG3 ranks second nationally in passing efficiency (191.11), total offense (390.0) and points responsibility (22.55). He's one of four players in FBS history with more than 9,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards in his career, joining Dan LeFevour, Colin Kaepernick and Tim Tebow.
Griffin III has led Baylor to an 8-3 record and its highest-ever ranking in the BCS Standings at No. 17. He's earned National Player of the Week awards twice this season - after leading Baylor to a 50-48 win over then-No. 14 TCU on Sept. 2 and after leading the Bears to a 45-38 win over then-No. 5 Oklahoma on Nov. 19. RG3 has also been named the Capital One National Impact Performer of the Week four times this season, while no other player has earned the honor more than once.
No. 17 Baylor closes out the regular season by hosting No. 22 Texas at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Floyd Casey Stadium. The Bears are seeking their first 9-win season since 1986, their first 5-game winning streak since 1991 and their first 7-0 home record in program history. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mygreenandgold.com/football/, by calling 254-710-1000 or at the Baylor Athletic Ticket Office at the Ferrell Center.
For more information on RG3, visit www.bu-RG3.com, www.facebook.com/RG3forHeisman and www.baylorbears.com/jointhethird and follow @RG3forHeisman on Twitter.
2011 MANNING AWARD FINALISTS
Matt Barkley, USC
Kirk Cousins, Michigan State
Robert Griffin III, Baylor
Landry Jones, Oklahoma
Case Keenum, Houston
Andrew Luck, Stanford
Kellen Moore, Boise State
Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State
Russell Wilson, Wisconsin
Tyler Wilson, Arkansas
