Junior
Taylor Martinez was among three Big Ten quarterbacks who completed the Manning
Award Watch List, the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced on Wednesday. Overall,
Martinez is one of 25 quarterbacks on the watch list.
Martinez
has been one of the nation's best dual-threat quarterbacks the past two
seasons, accounting for 5,559 yards of total offense to rank third on
Nebraska's career list. In addition to being a candidate for the Manning Award,
Martinez also earned a spot on the preseason watch list for the Davey O'Brien
Award
In 2011, Martinez set a school record
for total offense by a sophomore totaling 2,963 yards and accounting for 21
touchdowns to rank third in the Big Ten in total offense per game. He threw for
2,089 yards and 13 scores while completing 56 percent of his passes. Martinez
also rushed for 874 yards and nine touchdowns, including a trio of 100-yard
efforts, to rank ninth in the league in rushing. He guided an offense which was
15th nationally in rushing while going 9-4 and earning a bid to the Capital One
Bowl.
The Manning
Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football
accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback
award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting. Ten
finalists for the award will be announced on Monday, Nov. 26, and the winner
will be announced on Wednesday, Jan. 9.
