NEW ORLEANS, La. – For his outstanding play this season, WKU quarterback Brandon Doughty was named one of the 12 finalists for the Manning Award on Wednesday, as announced by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Doughty became the first player in WKU history to be tabbed a finalist by the prestigious award, which comes on the same week he was named the FWAA AutoNation National Offensive Player of the Week and Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week. He is the only quarterback from C-USA and one of four players from a non-Power 5 school on the list, joining Memphis' Paxton Lynch, Navy's Keenan Reynolds and Houston's Greg Ward, Jr.
The Manning Award, given to the nation's top quarterback the past 11 seasons, was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting.
Following his record-setting year last season, Doughty has continued to tear up the record books in 2015, becoming WKU's all-time leader for career passing yards (11,984), completions (957) and attempts (1,395). He currently ranks 27th in FBS history in career yards and is tied for 18th in touchdown passes, passing greats like Andrew Luck, Dan Marino Peyton Manning and Doug Flutie in those marks along the way.
Doughty leads the FBS this season in completion percentage (72.5) and touchdowns (42), while ranking fifth in passing yards (4,184) and third in points responsible for per game (21.8). In the last win over Marshall, he became just the third quarterback in FBS history to have consecutive seasons with 4,000 passing yards and 40 touchdowns as he led WKU to the C-USA East Division title.
Doughty and the Hilltoppers will host the Golden Eagles this Saturday in the C-USA Championship Game at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, with the game being televised nationally on ESPN2 at 11 a.m. CT.
