July 14, 2010
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IOWA CITY, Iowa – – University of Iowa senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi is one of 30 of the nation’s top collegiate quarterbacks named to the 2010 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List. The list, released Wednesday by the O’Brien National Selection Committee, includes 13 seniors, 13 juniors and four sophomores.
Stanzi (6-4, 230) is a native of Mentor, Ohio. He was a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award a year ago after leading Iowa to an 11-2 overall record, including a 24-14 victory over ACC champion Georgia Tech in the FedEx Orange Bowl and a final ranking of seventh in the nation in both major polls.
Stanzi has posted an 18-4 record as Iowa’s starting quarterback over the last two seasons, including January bowl victories each year. In career statistics, Stanzi heads into his final season ranked sixth in career passing yards (4,373) and touchdowns (31). He has completed 321-562 career pass attempts (.571). His season passing total of 2,417 yards in 2009 ranks 11th among single season leaders at Iowa and his 2008 total of 1,956 yards ranks 20th.
As a junior, Stanzi shared the Roy J. Carver Most Valuable Player Award and was a permanent team captain. He earned honorable mention all-America by Pro Football Weekly and was honorable mention all-Big Ten. He started all 11 games in which he played last season, missing two games due to injury. His season totals included completing 171-304 passes for 2,417 yards and 17 touchdowns, with 15 interceptions.
Stanzi is one of four Hawkeyes to be named to various pre-season Watch Lists for the upcoming season, joining DE Adrian Clayborn (Rotary Lombardi, Bronko Nagurski), DT Karl Klug (Outland) and DB Tyler Sash (Lott Trophy, Bronko Nagurski). Stanzi is one of three Big Ten quarterbacks on the pre-season list, joining Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor and Wisconsin’s Scott Tolzien.
Two former Hawkeye quarterbacks have been honored with the Davey O’Brien Award as the top quarterback in the nation. Chuck Long earned the honor in 1985 and Brad Banks was recognized in 2002 after each led the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten title.
The Davey O’Brien Award is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The 16 semifinalists for the 2010 award will be announced Monday, Oct. 25, with three finalists to be named Monday, Nov. 22. The award is presented as part of The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Award Show on Thursday, Dec. 9.