Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa was added to the Manning Award Watch List Monday, one of 10 midseason additions.
The Allstate Sugar Bowl created the Manning Award prior to the 2004 college football season in honor of the accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning throughout their college football careers. Awarded each year after the completion of the bowl season, is the only award that accounts for performances in bowl games.
Persa, a junior, leads all Division I quarterbacks in completion percentage (.757) and is fifth in total offense (313.0 ypg). He has accounted for 16 total touchdowns and thrown only three interceptions in leading the Wildcats to a 5-2 record.
“Danny is playing at a very high level,” NU coach Pat Fitzgerald said in the NU Sports Press Release. “It’s not about perfect, it’s about execution and he’s done that. You look at his statistics, No. 1 in the nation in completion percentage and No. 8 in pass efficiency, and I’d like it to stay there. Why not? We ask our players to play to their strengths. For Mick McCall and our offensive staff, it’s players, formations and plays. Danny is a perfect fit for our offense, he’s done a great job managing things, spreading it out. We have a number of young men with receptions and it’s tough to stop.”
A list of 10 finalists for the award will be released on November 29, and the winner will be announced on January 19.