July 17, 2013
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF junior quarterback Blake Bortles picked up his third major preseason accolade Wednesday when he was selected to the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List. The award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest most prestigious national quarterback trophy.
Bortles and Miami's Stephen Morris were the only two quarterbacks from the state of Florida to be named to the watch list. Meanwhile, Bortles and Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater represented the American Athletic Conference.
Blake Bortles' Preseason Honors
-Maxwell Award Watch List (National College Player of the Year)
-Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List
-College Football Performance Awards Quarterback Trophy Watch List
The Davey O'Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O'Brien's enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. It is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The field will be narrowed to 16 semifinalists Nov. 4 and then three finalists Nov. 25. The 2013 Davey O'Brien Award winner will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12.
A native of Oviedo, Bortles demoralized opposing defenses throughout the 2012 campaign. In his first season as the Knights' starter, he threw for 3,059 yards on 251-for-399 passing, and racked up 25 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. Bortles was the first UCF quarterback since 2002 to throw for at least 3,000 yards in a season, and he was the first all-time to have 10 games with at least two touchdown passes in the same year. Of the 14 games he started, there was only one where he did not record a touchdown pass (UCF defeated Southern Miss, 38-31).
Bortles would be named to the All-Conference USA Second Team, Phil Steele's All-C-USA Second Team, the Beef `O' Brady's Bowl MVP and UCF's Most Improved Offensive Player last season.
Off the bench in 2011, Bortles completed 68.2 percent of his passes, but only rushed for four yards on 21 attempts. That changed in 2012 when he accumulated 285 yards on the ground with eight touchdowns.
Entering 2013, Bortles leads all returning FBS quarterbacks in the Sunshine State with 31 career touchdown passes and a 64.0 completion percentage.
Plan your game days this fall with the Knights and experience one of the best schedules in program history. Season tickets, starting at $99, guarantee both the South Carolina & USF match-ups.
And games are better in groups. Groups of twenty (20) or more are available for all home games at a 20% discounted price.
Order today online or call 407-UCF-1000.