NEW ORLEANS - University of Memphis quarterback Marcus Stokes earned a spot on the Manning Award Stars of the Week list for the second time this season, the award committee announced Monday.
Stokes was also among the 15 quarterbacks added last Friday to the initial Manning Award Watch List, which began with 40 players. The award’s finalists will be chosen in early December, and the winner will be announced during the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Stokes’ latest performance came in a comeback win, and he did just about everything for the Tigers. He accounted for all five Memphis touchdowns, throwing three and running for two, and finished the game with a five-yard overtime rush that sealed the victory. It was his fourth game with at least 300 passing yards and his third with at least three passing touchdowns, and he also set a career high with 29 completions.
The redshirt junior has been central to an offense that has put up big numbers across the board. Memphis is seventh in total offense, 10th in rushing offense and 22nd in passing offense, while its team passing efficiency ranks seventh at the FBS level. The Tigers’ 37 offensive touchdowns are tied for seventh in the country, and they also own the third-most first downs in all of college football.
Individually, Stokes sits in the top 10 nationally in passing efficiency, passing yards, passing touchdowns and points responsible for.
The Manning Award, launched by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in 2004, honors the college football careers of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that counts bowl performances in its voting.
Since the Manning Award began recognizing Stars of the Week in 2011, 633 quarterbacks from 138 schools have received the honor.
Memphis will return to a Saturday schedule next, hosting Army (5-2, 4-1 American) on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. on ESPNU. Memphis is 6-2 and 3-1 in the American.
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