Crum Adds Manning Award Watch List to Pre-Season Accolades
7/30/2020 12:04:00 PM | Football
KENT, OHIO- Kent State senior quarterback Dustin Crum is one of 30 quarterbacks named to the Manning Award watch list, as announced by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, who sponsors the award.
The Manning Award is awarded annually to the top quarterback in college football, regardless of division. The Manning Award is named for Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning and is the only quarterback award to take post-season performance into consideration. The award has been presented since 2004 and is judged by a voting panel consisting of members of the Sugar Bowl Committee, national media and the Manning family.
National accolades keep piling up for the senior quarterback. The Manning Award marks the fourth preseason watch list for Crum, having already earned spots on the Danny Wuerffel, Davey O'Brien and Maxwell award watch lists.
Crum burst onto the scene in 2019, earning the start in the week two win over Kennesaw State and never looking back. The rising senior finished the season with over 2600 yards passing, 700 yards rushing and was responsible for 26 touchdowns. His 20:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio was one of the best in the FBS last season.
Crum's 2019 stats put him in elite company amongst the other 29 quarterbacks on the watch list. His 69.2 completion percentage is second to only USC's Kedon Slovis and his two interceptions tie him with Arizona State's Jayden Daniels (who threw 17 touchdowns) for the top spot amongst FBS quarterbacks on the list. His dual-threat abilities also put him in the list's top tier, only Charlotte's Chris Reynolds ran for more than Crum's 707 yards amongst FBS quarterbacks.
The Mid-American Conference posted two quarterbacks on the list, with Ball State's Drew Plitt joining Crum. The two met last season in a back-and-forth shootout won by Kent State 41-38. The quarterbacks did not disappoint with Plitt accounting for over 200 yards of offense and two touchdowns. Crum had an exceptional day against the Cardinals, throwing for 369 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 101 yards and an additional score.
The 30-quarterback watch list will be narrowed down to 10 finalists after the regular season. The Manning Award winner will be announced after the College Football Playoff National Championship game. To view the entire watch list, visit the Manning Award website. Â
