University Southern California Trojans
Matt Barkley Named Davey O'Brien Award Semifinalist
October 24, 2011 | Football
Oct. 24, 2011
For the third consecutive year, USC junior quarterback Matt Barkley has been named one of 16 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
Barkley, who has completed 176-of-258 passes in 2011 (68.2%) for 2,006 yards with 19 TDs and just 4 interceptions, currently is 15th nationally in passing efficiency (154.7, fourth in Pac-12) and 19th in total offense (290.3, third in Pac-12). His 68.2% completion percentage in 2011 is just below Rob Johnson's USC season record of 68.6% in 1993. His 176 completions in 2011 is 19th on the USC season list. He owns USC game records for completions (34 versus Minnesota in 2011), pass yardage (468 versus Arizona in 2011), TD passes (5, 3 times) and total offense (470 versus Arizona in 2011). He was one of 11 FBS players named to the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team,
The three-year starter is already fifth on USC's career passing list (622 completions) and in total offense (7,503 yards). He is tied for 18th on the Pac-12 career touchdown pass chart (60) and is 30th in pass yardage (7,532) and 31st in the total offense (7,503). In his career he has thrown at least 1 TD pass in 27 of his 31 games, at least 2 TDs in 17 games and at least 3 TDs in 9 games, including 3 times with a school record-tying 5 TDs. He has thrown for at least 200 yards in 20 career games (7 times over 300 yards).
Joining Barkley as 2011 O'Brien Award semifinalists are Clemson's Tajh Boyd, Michigan State's Kirk Cousins, Texas Tech's Seth Doege, Baylor's Robert Griffin III, Oklahoma's Landry Jones, Houston's Case Keenum, Stanford's Andrew Luck, Boise State's Kellen Moore, Washington's Keith Price, Michigan's Denard Robinson, Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill, Oregon's Darron Thomas, Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden, Wisconsin's Russell Wilson and Arkansas's Tyler Wilson.
The semifinalists were selected based on quarterback skills, academics, character, leadership and sportsmanship.
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. 20.
Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 21. The 2011 Davey O'Brien winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards airing on Dec. 8 on ESPN.
The 35th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner will be held on Feb. 20, 2012, in Fort Worth, Texas.
