Graham Harrell Wins 2008 Golden Arm Award
Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell won the 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is presented annually to the top senior quarterback in the country by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Foundation.
"I want to thank the Johnny Unitas Foundation for this incredible honor," said Harrell. "To be mentioned in the same breath with this true legend of football is very special for me, my family and my teammates. This award wouldn't be possible without the support of my family and everyone at Texas Tech. Hopefully, this honor will shine some light on the great things our football program has achieved and how special it is to be a Red Raider."
The award encapsulates all that is positive in college sports, rewarding performance on the field along with character, citizenship, integrity and those who honor the game.
This season, Harrell led the Red Raiders to a 11-1 record and a berth in the Cotton Bowl against Ole Miss on Jan. 2, 2009, in Dallas. In his final season in Lubbock, the record-breaking Harrell completed 71.5 percent of his passes for 4,747 yards, 41 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.
Established in 1987, Harrell is the 21st recipient of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, joining former winners such as Boston College's Matt Ryan (2007), Notre Dame's Brady Quinn (2006), USC's Matt Leinart (2005), Ole Miss' Eli Manning (2003) and Tennessee's Peyton Manning (1997).
Harrell was honored on Dec. 12, at a ceremony at the Tremont Grand Meeting and Banquet Facility in downtown Baltimore — the city where Johnny Unitas starred for the Colts from 1956-72, winning Super Bowl V before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
Tom Brandstater
The Bulldogs were unable to hold off the undefeated Broncos, as Boise State rolled to a 61–10 victory — including an impressive 48–0 margin after halftime. Brandstater completed 23-of-37 passes for 211 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions in defeat. Fresno State will play Colorado State in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 20 in Albuquerque.
Chase Clement
An inner-city rivalry between Houston and Rice ended in a 56–42 Owls victory over the Cougars at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas. Clement completed 28-of-41 passes for 381 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions to end the Cougars' chances of being the C-USA champion. Rice will play Western Michigan in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 30 in Houston.
Chase Daniel
For the second consecutive year, Daniel struggled in a loss to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game. Mizzou's senior signal-caller completed 27-of-43 passes for 255 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions during a 62–21 blowout loss at Arrowhead Stadium. The Big 12 North champs will play Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29 in San Antonio.
Cullen Harper
The Tigers earned their sixth win in seven games against the Gamecocks, following a 31–14 win over in-state rival South Carolina. Not long after the victory, Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips named interim coach Dabo Swinney the head coach of the program on a full-time basis. In the big win over USC, Harper completed 12-of-17 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. Clemson will play Nebraska in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1, 2009, in Jacksonville.
Graham Harrell
After trailing 21–14 at halftime and 28–21 at the start of the fourth quarter to Baylor, the Red Raiders rallied back to win 35–28 in Lubbock. Harrell completed 41-of-50 passes for 309 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in victory. In the end, however, Tech did lose star receiver Michael Crabtree to a right foot injury and ultimately finished behind Oklahoma (No. 2) and Texas (No. 3) in the most recent BCS rankings. Texas Tech will play Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 2, 2009, in Dallas.
Brian Johnson
The Utes finished the season with a perfect 12–0 record — capped off with a 48–24 win over in-state Holy War rival BYU. Johnson completed 30-of-36 passes for 303 yards, four scoring strikes and zero turnovers in an emotional win. Utah will play Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2, 2009, in New Orleans.
Curtis Painter
The Big Ten season ended two weeks ago, with Boilermakers coach Joe Tiller finishing his career at Purdue with a 62–10 win over in-state rival Indiana. Purdue finished tied with Michigan for ninth place with a 2–6 record in-conference.
John Parker Wilson
The Crimson Tide lost their first game of the season, as Florida defeated Alabama 31–20 in the SEC Championship Game. Wilson completed 12-of-25 passes for 187 yards and one interception in a losing effort. The one-loss, SEC West champs will play Utah in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2, 2009, in New Orleans.
Pat White
The Mountaineers wore all-white to honor their senior quarterback, while fans wore white and waved white flags as a tribute to White — the owner of 16 WVU, Big East and NCAA records — during a hard-fought 13–7 win over South Florida. In his final game in Morgantown, White completed 14-of-23 passes for 141 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions, while running 15 times for 40 yards on the ground. West Virginia will play North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl on Dec. 27 in Charlotte.
Drew Willy
The Bulls upset previously undefeated Ball State, winning 42–24 in the MAC Championship Game at Ford Field in Detroit. Willy played flawless football, completing 19-of-28 passes for 206 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in victory. Buffalo will play Connecticut in the International Bowl on Jan. 3, 2009, in Toronto.
Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell won the 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is presented annually to the top senior quarterback in the country by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Foundation.
"I want to thank the Johnny Unitas Foundation for this incredible honor," said Harrell. "To be mentioned in the same breath with this true legend of football is very special for me, my family and my teammates. This award wouldn't be possible without the support of my family and everyone at Texas Tech. Hopefully, this honor will shine some light on the great things our football program has achieved and how special it is to be a Red Raider."
The award encapsulates all that is positive in college sports, rewarding performance on the field along with character, citizenship, integrity and those who honor the game.
This season, Harrell led the Red Raiders to a 11-1 record and a berth in the Cotton Bowl against Ole Miss on Jan. 2, 2009, in Dallas. In his final season in Lubbock, the record-breaking Harrell completed 71.5 percent of his passes for 4,747 yards, 41 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.
Established in 1987, Harrell is the 21st recipient of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, joining former winners such as Boston College's Matt Ryan (2007), Notre Dame's Brady Quinn (2006), USC's Matt Leinart (2005), Ole Miss' Eli Manning (2003) and Tennessee's Peyton Manning (1997).
Harrell was honored on Dec. 12, at a ceremony at the Tremont Grand Meeting and Banquet Facility in downtown Baltimore — the city where Johnny Unitas starred for the Colts from 1956-72, winning Super Bowl V before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
Tom Brandstater
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Chase Clement
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Chase Daniel
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Cullen Harper
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Graham Harrell
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Brian Johnson
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Curtis Painter
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John Parker Wilson
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Pat White
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Drew Willy
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"I think it was the greatest win of my career. It wasn't a blowout and I didn't have a great game, but it feels good to leave a winner." — West Virginia's Pat White, who was honored with a white-out in Morgantown, as players and fans wore all-white to honor the senior's final home game.
"I'm very proud of what our football team was able to accomplish this year. The only team that plays in a real BCS conference that went 12-0, which is difficult to do. And I'm very proud of the way our players played, with consistency all year, the way they competed." — Alabama coach Nick Saban, whose Crimson Tide lost to Florida 31–20 in the SEC title game.
"This one hurts the worst. My senior year, we can't get it done, and too many turnovers on my part. You can't win a game against a team like that turning the football over." — Missouri's Chase Daniel, who lost to Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game for the second straight season.
"I'm just proud. We came to a program where thee wasn't a lot of hope or expectations. We came together as a unit and that's why this football team is successful. … To have the (bowl) game an hour and a half away is a reward for our fans." — Buffalo coach Turner Gill, whose Bulls upset undefeated Ball State in the MAC title game and will play in Toronto's International Bowl.
"I'm very proud of what our football team was able to accomplish this year. The only team that plays in a real BCS conference that went 12-0, which is difficult to do. And I'm very proud of the way our players played, with consistency all year, the way they competed." — Alabama coach Nick Saban, whose Crimson Tide lost to Florida 31–20 in the SEC title game.
"This one hurts the worst. My senior year, we can't get it done, and too many turnovers on my part. You can't win a game against a team like that turning the football over." — Missouri's Chase Daniel, who lost to Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game for the second straight season.
"I'm just proud. We came to a program where thee wasn't a lot of hope or expectations. We came together as a unit and that's why this football team is successful. … To have the (bowl) game an hour and a half away is a reward for our fans." — Buffalo coach Turner Gill, whose Bulls upset undefeated Ball State in the MAC title game and will play in Toronto's International Bowl.
GOLDEN ARM WATCH LIST
Tom Brandstater - Fresno State
Chase Clement - Rice
Chase Daniel - Missouri
Cullen Harper - Clemson
Graham Harrell - Texas Tech
Brian Johnson - Utah
Curtis Painter - Purdue
John Parker Wilson - Alabama
Pat White - West Virginia
Drew Willy - University of Buffalo
Chase Clement - Rice
Chase Daniel - Missouri
Cullen Harper - Clemson
Graham Harrell - Texas Tech
Brian Johnson - Utah
Curtis Painter - Purdue
John Parker Wilson - Alabama
Pat White - West Virginia
Drew Willy - University of Buffalo
Often times college football fans and the media become so enthralled with touchdown passes, elusive runs, ferocious tackles and quarterback sacks that we lose sight of other important matters of college athletics. The Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the top senior quarterback by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Foundation encapsulates all that is positive in college sports. The award acknowledges performance on the field for sure. But it goes beyond completion percentage and touchdown strikes. The award values character, citizenship, integrity and those who honor the game.
"The winner of the Golden Arm Award is recognized not only for his athletic accomplishments, but also for his character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and athletic abilities," says John Unitas, Jr., President of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award bears the name of the man many refer to as the finest quarterback ever to play the game of football.
In addition to honoring a player with the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc., has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to deserving scholar-athletes from local area high schools both in Maryland and Kentucky.
"Despite my Dad's outstanding accomplishments, he never forgot his humble beginnings, and this won him a permanent place in the hearts of all who ever knew him," notes Unitas, Jr. "Giving life to his commitment to 'give back,' the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. was established to promote football on all levels by providing financial aid to deserving young athletes."