NEW ORLEANS – The Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, has announced its preseason Watch List. The list includes 30 of the top quarterbacks in the nation heading into the 2020 season. Representing the MAC on the list is Kent State's Dustin Crum & Ball State's Drew Plitt. The winner will again be selected by a voting panel, which includes national media and each of the Mannings, after the bowls.
Crum burst onto the scene in 2019, earning the start in the week two win over Kennesaw State and never looking back. The rising senior finished the season with over 2600 yards passing, 700 yards rushing and was responsible for 26 touchdowns. His 20:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio was one of the best in the FBS last season. Crum's 2019 stats put him in elite company amongst the other 29 quarterbacks on the watch list. His 69.2 completion percentage is second to only USC's Kedon Slovis and his two interceptions tie him with Arizona State's Jayden Daniels (who threw 17 touchdowns) for the top spot amongst FBS quarterbacks on the list. His dual-threat abilities also put him in the list's top tier, only Charlotte's Chris Reynolds ran for more than Crum's 707 yards amongst FBS quarterbacks.
Plitt took over the Ball State starting quarterback role late in the 2018 season and truly blossomed in 2019. Last year, Plitt directed an offense that led the Mid-American Conference in scoring (34.8 points per game) and total offense (463.0 yards per game). His 24 touchdown passes were tops in the league while his passing yards per game (243.2) ranked second. Over the last five games of the 2019 campaign, Plitt tossed eight touchdown passes to just one interception.
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.
Inclusion on the Watch List is not necessary for the quarterbacks to be selected for the honor. Additional quarterbacks may be added to the Watch List during the season. Ten finalists will be selected prior to the postseason and the winner will be announced following the College Football Playoff National Championship.
