FAYETTEVILLE — Mallett Manning finalist
Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett was named one of 10 finalists for the Manning Award on Monday, which is sponsored by the Sugar Bowl and takes into account postseason performances for quarterbacks.
Mallett, who has set or tied 38 school records in two seasons at Arkansas, has passed for 3,592 yards and 30 touchdowns this season. The junior out of Texarkana is one of only four players in SEC history to pass for 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in consecutive seasons.
Mallett’s 299.3 passing yards per game lead the SEC and rank fifth in the NCAA, while his 30 touchdowns rank sixth in the nation. Mallett leads the country with five completions of 70 or more yards and four completions of 80 or more yards.
Joining Mallett as Manning Award finalists are Auburn’s Cam Newton, TCU’s Andy Dalton, Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick, Stanford’s Andrew Luck, Boise State’s Kellen Moore, Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor, Michigan’s Denard Robinson, Oregon’s Darron Thomas and Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden.
The Manning Award, created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl to honor the accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning, is in its seventh season. The winner will be announced on Jan. 19 in New Orleans.
- Tom Murphy
Nelson takes SEC honor
Arkansas linebacker Jerico Nelson earned the SEC’s defensive player of the week award after his performance in the Hogs’ 31-23 victory over LSU.
Nelson, a native of Destrehan, La., piled up 11 tackles, including a sack and another tackle for loss, against the Tigers.
Nelson had his tackles for loss,covering 4 and 5 yards, on LSU’s first two offensive snaps of the game. Nelson sacked his high school teammate, LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson, for a 5-yard sack on the second play.
The Razorbacks took the final two SEC defensive player of the week awards this season, as linebacker Jerry Franklin won last week for his 20-tackle showing in Arkansas’ 38-31 double-overtime victory against Mississippi State.