Aug. 11, 2010
http://www.allstatesugarbowl.org/site.php?pageID=19&newsID=212
Record-Setting Ricky Dobbs From Navy Added to Manning Watch List
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Though he may not be a traditional quarterback, Navy's Ricky Dobbs (official bio) is an easy addition to the Manning Award Watch List. The senior led the Midshipmen to a 10-win season last year, including an MVP performance in a Texas Bowl win over Missouri, while setting an NCAA record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. Dobbs is also the Senior Class Vice President at the Naval Academy and lists becoming President of the United States among his goals. The Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, is releasing the Watch List one player per day through its official Facebook and Twitter pages. The award has honored the top quarterback in the nation for the past six years.
Allstate Sugar Bowl on Facebook
Allstate Sugar Bowl on Twitter
Dobbs turned in a sensational junior campaign for Navy in 2009 - despite battling a cracked knee cap for the last six games of the year. Even while missing the equivalent of two full games, he still rushed for 27 touchdowns, breaking Tim Tebow's NCAA record for scores by a QB and trailing national leader and Heisman finalist Toby Gerhart by just one. Directing the elaborate triple-option offense of the Midshipmen, Dobbs finished with 1,203 rushing yards on 315 carries; while passing for 1,031 yards and six more touchdowns. He recorded seven 100-yard rushing days, including a season-best 166 yards with three touchdowns in the Texas Bowl - a game in which he also completed 9-of-14 passes for 130 yards and another touchdown. In his first full game after suffering his knee injury, he led Navy to its second win in three years over Notre Dame with 100 rushing yards and a TD on the ground and through the air. Making his second career start in the team's season-opener last year, Dobbs passed for two TDs and ran for another to nearly lead Navy to a shocking upset of sixth-ranked Ohio State. He also sparked wins over Air Force and Army to help the Middies to another Commander-in-Chief's trophy - an honor presented to the team directly by President Obama, who recognized Dobbs' efforts and his goal to become President.
Aug. 3 CBS Sports story about Dobbs deserving Heisman consideration
Aug. 7 Annapolis Capital story about Navy managing Dobbs' media attention
The members of the Watch List are being released in a completely random order.
2010-11 Manning Award Watch List Photo Gallery
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in 2004 to honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that takes into consideration the candidates' bowl performances. Ten finalists will be selected in late-November and the winner will be announced after the bowls in January and will be honored at a ceremony in New Orleans.
The preseason Watch List recognizes some of the top quarterbacks in the nation based on previous collegiate performance, however, every quarterback in the nation remains eligible for the honor. Additional quarterbacks may be added to the Watch List after the start of the season. The list of 10 finalists will be released on Monday, Nov. 29. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, Jan. 19.
The Manning Award will be recognizing its seventh winner this year. USC's Matt Leinart was the inaugural winner of the award in 2005, followed by Texas' Vince Young in 2006. Both went on to be top 10 NFL draft picks. In 2007, LSU's JaMarcus Russell earned the award and was the NFL's No. 1 draft pick. Boston College's Matt Ryan claimed the award in 2008 and was drafted No. 3, quickly becoming the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. In 2009, Florida star Tim Tebow earned the honor - he also went on to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Last year's winner was Texas signal-caller Colt McCoy, the winningest quarterback in college football history. McCoy was picked by the Cleveland Browns in the 2010 NFL Draft.
