Aug. 23, 2006
ATLANTA–Georgia Tech quarterback Reggie Ball has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2006 Manning Award, announced today by the Sugar Bowl Committee.
The Manning Award was created in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning and will be presented to the recipient following the holiday bowl season. It is the only quarterback award which takes into consideration the candidates’ bowl performances. The winner will be determined by a select panel of national media covering college football, as well as each of the Mannings.
The complete list of nominees is as follows: Erik Ainge (Tennessee), Reggie Ball (Georgia Tech), Shawn Bell (Baylor), Colt Brennan (Hawaii), Alex Brink (Washington State), Brian Brohm (Louisville), Brandon Cox (Auburn), Chad Henne (Michigan), Chris Leak (Florida), Bret Meyer (Iowa State), Blake Mitchell (South Carolina), Curtis Painter (Purdue), Jordan Palmer (UTEP), Brady Quinn (Notre Dame), JaMarcus Russell (LSU), Troy Smith (Ohio State), Drew Stanton (Michigan State), Drew Tate (Iowa), Zac Taylor (Nebraska), Drew Weatherford (Florida State), Patrick White (West Virginia), and Kyle Wright (Miami).
Ball, a senior from Stone Mountain, Ga., and the 2003 Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year, is a three-year starter who has helped the Yellow Jackets to winning seasons and bowl games each of his three seasons.
Entering his senior season, he ranks third in Tech history in career passing yards (6,308), third in total offense (7,405), fourth in touchdown passes (46) and fourth in touchdown responsibility (46). He stands ninth in ACC history in career rushing yards by a quarterback (1,097).
Ball and the Yellow Jackets open the 2006 season by hosting second-ranked Notre Dame Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Grant Field (ABC-TV).
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