Matt Barkley Named O'Brien Award Semifinalist
October 25, 2010 | Football
Oct. 25, 2010
USC sophomore quarterback Matt Barkley has been named one of 16 semifinalists for the 2010 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
The O'Brien Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest national quarterback award.
Last year, Barkley was the only freshman in the nation named an O'Brien Award semifinalist.
In 2010, Barkley has completed 138-of-211 passes (65.4%) for 1,869 yards and 20 touchdowns with just 4 interceptions. Twice this season, he has thrown a school single game record-tying 5 TDs (versus Hawaii and California).
He currently is sixth nationally in passing efficiency (167.3, first in Pac-10). His 20 TD passes in 2010 are tied for fourth most in the nation. He is riding a streak of 119 consecutive passes without an interception (dating back to early in the second quarter at Washington State) after starting 2010 without a pick in his first 72 throws.
His 349 career completions already rank him eighth on USC's career passing ladder. He has thrown at least 1 TD pass in 16 of his 19 career games (including 12 consecutive games at one point), at least 2 TDs 11 times (6 times in 2010) and at least 3 TDs 4 times (all in 2010, including twice with 5 TDs). He has thrown for at least 200 yards in 12 career games (4 times over 350 yards). His 4,579 career yards of total offense rank him 10th on USC's career chart.
Three O'Brien Award finalists will be announced on Nov. 22, with the 2010 winner announced on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Dec. 9 and honored at the 34th Annual O'Brien Awards Dinner on Feb. 21, 2011 at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
Fans may now help determine which three quarterbacks will advance as finalists by voting as often as once daily at www.VoteOBrien.org. Fan voting will close at noon (CT) on Nov. 21.
