Bowling Green's Matt Johnson Named To 2014 Manning Award Watch List

In it's 11th year, the Manning Award has compiled a Watch List to include college footballs elite quarterbacks. The Allstate Sugar Bowl sponsors the award and it honors the college football achievements of Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning. Along with thirty-one others, Bowling Green State University's Matt Johnson has been selected to the preseason Watch List based on his 2013 season.

In just his first season as the starter, Johnson accumulated 3,467 Yards and 25 TD's with a 64 percent completion percentage. He led Bowling Green to a MAC Championship victory over Northern Illinois 47-27. Johnson picked apart the Huskies defense by completing 21 of his 27 passes for 393 yards and 5 touchdowns. The junior quarterback will be expected to produce even greater numbers at the helm of new "pass-happy" offense with a deep receiving core.

Johnson is the only Mid-American Conference quarterback to receive the honor of being named to the 2014 Manning Award Watch List. After midseason additions on October 15th, the 10 finalists will be announced November 26th. The award differs itself from the others by taking the players post-season performance into consideration. The voting panel includes national media as well as each of the three Manning's. The winner will be announced January 14, 2015.

Further information on the award can be accessed here.