Georgia Football: Murray Named To Manning Quarterback Award Watch List

Aaron Murray, photo by Danny Bishop

Georgia senior quarterback Aaron Murray has been named to the 2013 Manning Quarterback Award Watch List, according to an announcement Friday by representatives from the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Murray was one of 10 finalists for the Manning Award in 2012.

This year’s list of quarterbacks was selected in conjunction with the release of ESPN’s new Total Quarterback Rating (QBR). The top 30 returning quarterbacks according to the QBR make up the Watch List. The winner will still be selected by a voting panel, which includes national media and each of the Mannings, after the bowls. The list of 10 finalists will be released on Nov. 27.

The winner will be announced on Jan. 8. Total QBR measures a quarterback’s contributions to scoring on each play (passing, rushing, sacks, fumbles and penalties) accounting for game context (down, distance, yard line, time remaining and score) and adjusted for opponent strength. It is based on a 0-100 scale and 50 is average.

The Manning Award 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.

Murray, a native of Tampa, Florida, is one of the nation’s elite at his position. In 2012, Murray ranked second in the nation in passing efficiency at 174.82. He became the first Southeastern Conference quarterback in history to have three consecutive 3,000-yard passing seasons last year. In his 28 wins as a starter, he has 74 touchdowns to just 16 interceptions.

Murray is the SEC’s leading active player in total offensive yards (10,301), completions (696), touchdown responsibility (105), touchdown passes (95) and passing yards (10,091).