Oct. 22, 2009

          PITTSBURGH—Pitt senior quarterback Bill Stull, the most efficient passer  in the Big East Conference, has been named to the midseason watch list for the Manning Award, annually presented to the nation’s most outstanding quarterback.

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 takes into consideration the candidates’ bowl performances.

          Stull (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-LaSalle) was added to the Manning Award list after an exceptional first half of the season. He has completed 67% of his passes (114 of 171) for 1,409 yards with 14 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

          Stull’s pass efficiency rating of 159.39 ranks seventh nationally. He additionally ranks 23^rd in points responsible for (tied, 13.43 points/game).

          This is the latest accolade for Pitt’s 6-foot-3, 215-pound signal-caller, whose strong and steady play is gaining recognition nationwide.  

“A case can be made,” wrote Rivals.com senior college football writer Tom Dienhart, “that Pittsburgh’s Bill Stull is the most improved quarterback in the nation. And that’s why Pitt is one of the nation’s surprise teams.”

Pitt (6-1, 3-0 Big East) surged into the national polls this week, ranking No. 19 in the USA Today coaches poll and No. 20 by The Associated Press. The Panthers are No. 20 in the newly released Bowl Championship Series rankings. 

Ten finalists for the Manning Award will be determined by a national media panel, as well as each of the Mannings. That list will be released on Monday, Nov. 30. The winner will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 14, and honored at a February banquet in New Orleans.

          The Panthers will host Big East foe South Florida (5-1, 1-1) this Saturday at Heinz Field. Kickoff is set for noon. For ticket information, call (800) 643-PITT or log on to www.PittsburghPanthers.com.

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