Senior quarterback Riley Leonard has been selected as a Manning Award Star of the Week for his performance in the 49-7 win over Stanford. The Irish scored 49 unanswered points in the matchup. Leonard went 16-for-22 for 229 yards (53-yard long) and three touchdowns, as well as 31 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
This marks another weekly award recognition for Leonard, as he has twice been named to the Davey O’Brien Award’s Great 8 list this season (Louisville and Purdue). He was also named the Senior Bowl Offensive Player of the Week for his Louisville performance.
Leonard has been named to the Top 25 for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and the preseason watch lists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, the Maxwell Award, the Davey O’Brien Award, the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year and the Comeback Player of the Year.
Leonard was the only Power 4 quarterback this past weekend who, in regulation time, passed for at least 225 yards and three touchdowns, threw no interceptions, and added a rushing touchdown; Leonard did it all in three quarters. One other Power 4 quarterback achieved the feat in overtime (Luke Altmyer, Illinois).
With another rushing touchdown, Leonard owns 27-career rushing touchdowns, ranking second among all active FBS quarterbacks.
Leonard leads all Power 4 quarterbacks and ranks seventh among all FBS quarterbacks this season in rushing yards per game (67.5). His eight rushing touchdowns this season rank second among all Power 4 quarterbacks and tied for fourth among all FBS quarterbacks. This season, Leonard ranks 17th among FBS players in rushing touchdowns and 18th in overall touchdowns.
The winner will be selected by a fan vote on social media (@ManningAward). After voting closes on Wednesday at 9 a.m. (Central), the top vote-getter will be announced as the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week.