Ash Named to Watch List for 2013 Manning Award

NEW ORLEANDS – Texas junior David Ash has been named to the watch list for the 2013 Manning Award, honoring the nation's top quarterback.

Ash, who is already a member of the watch lists for the Maxwell (player of year) and Davey O’Brien (top quarterback) Awards, is one of 30 signal-callers on the list that was announced Friday by the Sugar Bowl.

Ash is entering his third season with the Longhorns, including second as the full-time starter. He has played in 25 games with 18 starts. The Belton, Texas, native owns a 12-6 record as a starter with wins in 10 of his last 13 games.

He ranks eighth on the UT career passing yards list (3,778), ninth on the TD passes list (23), and fifth on the 300-yard passing games list (three).

Last season, Ash started 12 of 13 games and completed 214 of 318 passes (67.3 percent) for 2,699 yards and 19 TDs against eight interceptions. He ranked 15th in the FBS in completion percentage (67.3) and 21st in passing efficiency (153.28 rating). Ash’s passing yardage (2,699) ranks No. 8 on the UT single-season list and his total offense tally (2,840) is ninth.

Ash set the school record for the most touchdown passes (four) by a true freshman in 2011 when he played in all 13 games with six starts. He was named the 2011 Holiday Bowl Offensive MVP in Texas' 21-10 win over Cal.

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.

The winner will still be selected by a voting panel, which includes national media and each of the Mannings, after the bowls.

This year’s watch list 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.

Additional quarterbacks may be added to the watch list after the start of the season. The list of 10 finalists will be released on Wednesday, Nov. 27. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Source: UT Athletics