November 11, 2004
Texas A&M junior quarterback Reggie McNeal (Lufkin, Texas / Lufkin HS) was named one of 13 semifinalists for the 2004 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, which is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback, the Davey O'Brien Foundation announced on Thursday.
"This a great honor for Reggie and for our football team," said Dennis Franchione, the second-year head coach of the 6-3 Aggies. "I think it's a reflection of his play and the overall success of the team. Reggie's playing at an extremely high level and doing a tremendous job of playing within the scheme of the team."
The other 12 semifinalists, in alphabetical order, are: Jason Campbell, Sr., Auburn; Timmy Chang, Sr. Hawai'i; David Greene, Sr., Georgia; Chris Leak, So., Florida; Stefan LeFors, Sr., Louisville; Matt Leinart, Jr., USC; Kyle Orton, Sr., Purdue; Aaron Rodgers, Jr., California; Alex Smith, Jr., Utah; Andrew Walter, Sr., Arizona State; Jason White, Sr., Oklahoma; and Jared Zabransky, So., Boise State.
Perhaps the nation's top dual-threat quarterback, McNeal is the nation's only quarterback averaging more than 70 rushing yards and 220 passing yards per game. McNeal, currently No. 6 nationally in total offense, has already shattered A&M's school record for total offense in a season with 2,687 yards in nine games.
For the season, McNeal has passed for 2,049 yards and 11 touchdowns against just two interceptions on 141-of-242 passing (58.3 percent), while rushing for 638 yards on 112 carries (5.7 per carry). McNeal has accounted for 300 yards of total offense or more in five games, which is also a school record.
The O'Brien Selection Committee, composed of national sportswriters and commentators, as well as former O'Brien Award winners, will vote later this month to narrow the field. The three finalists will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 23 by the National College Football Awards Association in a joint effort among college football award programs.
The winner of the 2004 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award will be announced on the 2004 Home Depot College Football Awards Show at 7:00 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004. The show will air live on ESPN from the Atlantic Dance Hall on The Boardwalk at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. For more information, please call (817) 338-3488, or visit www.daveyobrien.com.