Purdy named O’Brien Award semifinalist

Nov 27, 2020; Austin, Texas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy (15) keeps the ball for yardage while escaping a tackle by Texas Longhorns linebackerJake Ehlinger (48) in the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Brock Purdy is one of 17 finalists for the Davey O’Brien Award, given annually to the best quarterback in college football.

The junior from Gilbert, Ariz. already owns or shares 25 school records at Iowa State (game, season, career) and added a few more to his total during the Cyclones’ regular-season finale domination of West Virginia this past Saturday.

The 42-6 win over the Mountaineers moved Purdy into first-place as the program’s all-time winningest signal-caller with 22 overall wins and added to his school-record 19 wins over conference opponents. He has an all-time record of 12-1 against Big 12 schools at Jack Trice Stadium.

Purdy ranks third in the Big 12 in passing efficiency (145.6) and touchdown pass (17) and has thrown a touchdown pass in each of the Cyclones’ last nine games, tying for the fourth-best streak in program history.

In the Cyclones’ last 14 quarters of play, Purdy is 70-of-91 (76.9 percent) for 903 yards and 10 touchdowns with zero interceptions while helping the Cyclones clinch outright first-place in the Big 12 standings and the school’s first berth in the Big 12 title game on Dec. 19 against Oklahoma.

Finalists for the O’Brien Award will be announced on Dec. 22 while the winner will be honored during the College Football Awards Show on ESPN on Jan. 7.

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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