STARKVILLE — Mississippi State senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald was selected to watch lists for the Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award on Thursday.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is presented annually to the nation’s top college quarterback. Candidates must be a college senior or fourth-year junior on schedule to graduate with their class. Character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and athletic accomplishments are considered when picking a winner.
The Manning Award, which is awarded to the nation’s top quarterback, is the only quarterback award that includes a candidate’s bowl performance in balloting.
Fitzgerald is as one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks to play in the Southeastern Conference. He enters his final season as one of only four SEC quarterbacks to throw for 4,400 yards and rush for more than 2,400 yards in a career.
Fitzgerald ranks second in school history and 21st in the SEC annals with 72 career touchdowns (39 passing, 33 rushing). He leads all returning Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) quarterbacks in career rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games, and average yards per carry.
Starting 12 games last season, Fitzgerald had 2,766 yards of offense and 29 touchdowns. He ranked third in the SEC with 230.5 yards per game. He ranked behind only Louisville’s Lamar Jackson with six 100-yard rushing/100-yard passing games.
Fitzgerald’s junior campaign ended in the first quarter of the Egg Bowl when he suffered an ankle injury.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation will present the award Dec. 7. The winner of the Manning Award will be selected by a voting panel and will be announced following the completion of all bowl games.
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