Crum Lands on Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watchlist
10/22/2020 1:45:00 PM | Football
KENT, OHIO—Kent State senior quarterback Dustin Crum can add another watch list to his 2020 after being named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list for this season.
The Unitas Award has been given out since 1987 and is given annually to the senior quarterback who best exemplifies excellence both on and off the field. The Golden Arm Award will take on-field performance into consideration as well as character, citizenship, integrity and those who honor the game. The award is named after NFL Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas, who played 18 seasons in the NFL, primarily for the Baltimore Colts.
Last year was a breakout year for the rising senior. After earning the starting role in week two of last season, Crum went on to throw for over 2600 yards and tossed 20 touchdowns against just two interceptions. That 20:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio was one of the best in all of the FBS. His 240-yard average through the air against Mid-American Conference competition was tops in the MAC.
The Grafton, Ohio native was a standout on the ground as well, leading the team in rushing with 707 yards and six touchdowns. He closed the season with 147 yards on the ground and 289 threw the air, earning offensive MVP honors in the Golden Flashes' 51-41 victory over Utah State in the Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl.
Off the field, Crum earned a single digit jersey number, changing from 14 to seven. The single digits are reserved for those that have met the team's "Golden Standard". Single digit members are recognized for their excellence and leadership both on and off the field.
Crum joins Ball State's Drew Plitt as the only Mid-American Conference quarterbacks on the watchlist. Earlier in the pre-season Crum was named to the Davey O'Brien, Manning, Maxwell, and Wuerffel Award watchlists.
The Golden Flashes will kick off the 2020 season on Wednesday, November 4th when they host Eastern Michigan. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN +.
