Purdy named O’Brien semifinalist

Nov 9, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy (15) throws during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The following is a press release from Iowa State Athletic Communications.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State sophomore Brock Purdy is one of the nation’s best quarterbacks and the Davey O’Brien Foundation confirmed this by announcing today that Purdy is one of 16 semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.

Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 25, while the winner will be announced live on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 12 on the Home Depot College Football Awards in Atlanta, Ga.

Purdy’s sophomore campaign will likely go down historically as the greatest season by a Cyclone signal-caller. Purdy is currently fifth nationally in total offense (344.4), and leads the Big 12 and ranks sixth in the nation in passing yardage (316.6).

A native of Gilbert, Ariz., Purdy can beat you with both his arm and legs. He is second on the team in rushing (251) and tied for the team lead with seven rushing touchdowns. Purdy is one of four quarterbacks in the nation with at least 20 passing touchdowns and seven rushing touchdowns on the year – Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma), Justin Fields (Ohio State) and Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) are the others.

Purdy has already set or tied a slew of school records, including single-game marks in total offense (510 vs. ULM), completions (39 vs. Oklahoma State), passing touchdowns (5 vs. Oklahoma) and TDs responsible (6 vs. ULM, 6 vs. Oklahoma).

Purdy and LSU’s Joe Burrow are the only two players in the nation with a pair of 6-TD games.

Purdy has set or tied season school marks in 300-yard passing games (4), 300-yard total offense games (7) and passing touchdowns (20). He is pursuing season records in the following categories: completion percentage (1^st, 68.0), passing yards (3^rd, 2,849), completions (7^th, 221) and total offense (3^rd, 3,100).

Purdy’s impact at Iowa State is immeasurable. He is 12-6 as ISU’s starting quarterback and is directing an offense on pace to set school records in total offense (479.2), scoring (36.4), passing yardage (323.2) and yards per play (6.9).

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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