Armstrong among finalists for Manning Award

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Brennan Armstrong

UVA quarterback Brennan Armstrong celebrates one of his two rushing touchdowns in the win over Georgia Tech. (Photo: Matt Riley, UVA Athletics)

Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong was named one of 10 finalists for the Manning Award, presented by the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The honor is annually bestowed on the top quarterback in the nation and is the only college football award to include the candidates’ bowl performances in its balloting.

Armstrong was included in the award’s midseason watch list back on Oct. 22 and has twice been named one of its eight stars of the week (Sept. 13 and Oct. 11).  He is one of three signal callers from the ACC to be included on the list.

Armstrong is either a semifinalist or finalist for all three of the major college football quarterback awards – Manning Award (finalist), Davey O’Brien Award (Semifinalist), Johnny Unitas Gold Arm Award (Top-10 Finalist).

Armstrong has thrown for a school record 4,449 yards this season and is responsible for 4,700 yards of total offense, also the most ever at UVA. He is responsible for 40 total touchdowns (31 passing and nine rushing). His 427.3 yards per game of total offense are tops in the country and his 404.5 yards passing per game rank second in the nation.

The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning.

2021 Manning Award Finalists

Name, School Cmp-Att Pct. Yards TDs INT QBR Rushing
Brennan Armstrong, Jr., Virginia 327-501 .653 4,449 31 10 76.1 256 yds, 9 TDs
Matt Corral, Jr., Ole Miss 259-379 .683 3,334 20 4 81.0 597 yds, 11 TDs
Sam Hartman, So., Wake Forest 255-423 .603 3,711 34 10 82.6 342 yds, 10 TDs
Kenny Pickett, Sr., Pittsburgh 314-464 .677 4,066 40 7 81.8 221 yds, 4 TDs
Desmond Ridder, Sr., Cincinnati 223-338 .660 3,000 27 8 74.3 342 yds, 6 TDs
Will Rogers, So., Mississippi State 473-630 .751 4,449 35 8 75.9 NA
Carson Strong, Jr., Nevada 367-524 .700 4,186 36 8 64.2 NA
C.J. Stroud, Fr., Ohio State 280-395 .709 3,862 38 5 89.8 NA
Bryce Young, So., Alabama 288-418 .689 3,901 40 4 86.7 2 TDs
Bailey Zappe, Sr., Western Ky. 406-580 .700 4,968