Morgan One of 12 Semifinalists for The Manning Award

[GopherLady]

Per U of MN press release:

University of Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan was named one of 12 finalists for The Manning Award.

The winner will be announced after the bowls in January and will be honored at a ceremony in New Orleans. The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that takes the candidates' bowl performances into consideration in its balloting.

Morgan, who was named All-Big Ten Second Team this week, led Minnesota to a 10 regular season wins for the first time since 1905. In addition, with Morgan at the helm, the Gophers won seven Big Ten games for the first time in school history.

Morgan, who was also named a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, has had one of the best seasons in school history for a Minnesota quarterback. He has set single-season records in passing yards (2,975), touchdowns (28) and consecutive games with a touchdown pass (13, dating back to last season).

He has completed 191-of-289 passes (66.0 completion percentage) and he ranks fourth in the nation in passing yards per completion (15.58), fifth in yards per attempt (10.29), sixth in passing efficiency (180.40), tied for 16th in passing touchdowns (28) and 22nd in passing yards (2,975).

Morgan has also rushed for a score this year and caught a two-point conversion from Tyler Johnson earlier this season.

Morgan is 14-4 as a starter at Minnesota and since 1975, no Gopher quarterback has begun his career with a better record as a starter. Additionally, Morgan's career winning percentage (.777) is the highest for any Gophers quarterback with 10 or more starts during that timeframe.

Morgan has thrown for 4,376 yards (ninth in school history) in 21 career games. He has completed 280-of-441 passes for 37 touchdowns (all have come in his 18 starts), which ranks him fifth in school history in touchdown passes.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I really think this team may have ended up very average ... or worse without Tanner (assuming Zack would still be out too) this year.

There are a lot of playmakers on this team but even seeing them relies on Tanner.

 

[Governor Sibley]

Our last all-conference quarterback?

Anybody?

 

[MirandaB]

Congrats to Tanner! And he's only a sophomore!

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Our last all-conference quarterback?

Anybody?

Someone in a bowler hat?

Probably played in a bowler hat too...

 

[PitinoFan]

Not bad for someone who can barely throw it 40 yards.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Not bad for someone who can barely throw it 40 yards.

His throws are kinda wobbly too...

 

[dpodoll68]

Our last all-conference quarterback?

Anybody?

Weber was 2nd team coaches in 2008.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Even though he has no shot at winning the award this year it is still great to have players nominated for National awards. Great exposure for the program and something I am sure recruits take notice of.

Should be a fair amount of hype around Morgan heading to next year as well now that he is starting to get noticed for the season he had this year.

2 - 1000 yard receivers and a QB being nominated for top awards....given the state of our offense over the last decade or so, who could have seen that coming? The overhaul of the passing game since Fleck's arrival has been nothing short of amazing.

 

[Governor Sibley]

Weber was 2nd team coaches in 2008.

Thanks! That's what I thought!

 

[#2Gopher]

Awesome, many honors to this group and hope for many more within the program as well.

 

[Jeshurun]

Someone in a bowler hat?

Probably played in a bowler hat too...

Back when the game was played by real men in moleskin and canvas, long before the advent of the sissy forward pass, when audiences sat silently, breathless, in anticipation of a possible touchdown.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

Leidner was also on some of those lists

 

[fair]

Here's something I've been wondering. Do you guys think QB1 is 100% Tanner's spot this offseason? Obviously he's done everything to earn that right, but I feel like I could still see PJ making it a competition between TM and ZA. Since most people seem to believe that Zack was on his way to be starter this year, it'd be interesting to see how it would play out if they went that route again.

Personally, I'd prefer Fleck to stick with the guy getting all of this recognition in order to maintain some consistency in the offseason. However, I do know that's not really how he works.

 

[PitinoFan]

Here's something I've been wondering. Do you guys think QB1 is 100% Tanner's spot this offseason? Obviously he's done everything to earn that right, but I feel like I could still see PJ making it a competition between TM and ZA. Since most people seem to believe that Zack was on his way to be starter this year, it'd be interesting to see how it would play out if they went that route again.

Personally, I'd prefer Fleck to stick with the guy getting all of this recognition in order to maintain some consistency in the offseason. However, I do know that's not really how he works.

It would look foolish to declare a competition for QB1 at this point, but I fully expect them to do it.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

Here's something I've been wondering. Do you guys think QB1 is 100% Tanner's spot this offseason? Obviously he's done everything to earn that right, but I feel like I could still see PJ making it a competition between TM and ZA. Since most people seem to believe that Zack was on his way to be starter this year, it'd be interesting to see how it would play out if they went that route again.

Personally, I'd prefer Fleck to stick with the guy getting all of this recognition in order to maintain some consistency in the offseason. However, I do know that's not really how he works.

I don’t know that most people thought that. Burnsie claimed a little birdie told him ZA was ahead and that little tidbit seemed to take on a life of its own. My assumption all along, later confirmed by my own little birdie indicated it was a smoke screen.

A legitimate POV voiced by some here is ZA won the starting job in 2018 so something must be better about ZA. Yep, fair enough. And to further that there’s a legitimate chance 2019 ZA is as good as TM but that certainly wasn’t evident in 2018 ZA. Jack Coan is a good example of a guy that looked less than good n his debut games that made a huge second year jump.

And, I’m of the opinion PJF really takes his culture talk very seriously and he may want a certain type of guy as the face of the program. He and TM are almost diametric opposites outside of being excellent at what they do and I wonder how much the personality or favoritism angle played into all of this in 2018.

His on field performance in 2019 was astoundingly good. You can’t sit a guy that just put on the best statistical season (passing) in Gopher history. Can you?

 

[mjfelton15]

Isn’t it just a wonderful discussion to be having. To wonder if Morgan, who appears to be the best QB we’ve had in decades, is even going to be the starter next season. Don’t forget that behind Morgan and Annexstad, we have Kramer and Clark. Both of those guys are supposed to be pretty dang good. It’s just crazy, I don’t know how many times my Dad and I had the discussion about “why is it so damn hard for a power 5, Big Ten school, the main University in Minnesota, to land a solid QB. Why can East Carolina snag this QB that can scramble and throw 50+ yard rockets, but the Gophers can’t land a QB that can avoid 4 INT’s in the 4th quarter?” Now we have 4 on the same roster that could all potentially be better than the past 10-12 starters we’ve had.

 

[PitinoFan]

I don’t know that most people thought that. Burnsie claimed a little birdie told him ZA was ahead and that little tidbit seemed to take on a life of its own. My assumption all along, later confirmed by my own little birdie indicated it was a smoke screen.

A legitimate POV voiced by some here is ZA won the starting job in 2018 so something must be better about ZA. Yep, fair enough. And to further that there’s a legitimate chance 2019 ZA is as good as TM but that certainly wasn’t evident in 2018 ZA. Jack Coan is a good example of a guy that looked less than good n his debut games that made a huge second year jump.

And, I’m of the opinion PJF really takes his culture talk very seriously and he may want a certain type of guy as the face of the program. He and TM are almost diametric opposites outside of being excellent at what they do and I wonder how much the personality or favoritism angle played into all of this in 2018.

His on field performance in 2019 was astoundingly good. You can’t sit a guy that just put on the best statistical season (passing) in Gopher history. Can you?

I’ve always been a little skeptical of Burns’ intel on this. Some of it is probably eye test related. I do expect Fleck to publicly declare a competition, but I also think it will be mostly lip service to keep the others from transferring. I have a little birdy too. That little birdy PM’d me tonight to mention that there are 127 other schools that would gladly take him if they mess around. That’s all I’m going to say about that.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

I’ve always been a little skeptical of Burns’ intel on this. Some of it is probably eye test related. I do expect Fleck to publicly declare a competition, but I also think it will be mostly lip service to keep the others from transferring. I have a little birdy too. That little birdy PM’d me tonight to mention that there are 127 other schools that would gladly take him if they mess around. That’s all I’m going to say about that.

He’s going to be the starter.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I’ve always been a little skeptical of Burns’ intel on this. Some of it is probably eye test related. I do expect Fleck to publicly declare a competition, but I also think it will be mostly lip service to keep the others from transferring. I have a little birdy too. That little birdy PM’d me tonight to mention that there are 127 other schools that would gladly take him if they mess around. That’s all I’m going to say about that.

Morgan is the clear cut #1 QB on the roster at this point but the competition is always open at every position. As a program we are at the point where we need to play the guys who give us the best chance of winning.

It would take something truly spectacular from one of the backups to unseat Morgan based on the way he has played since becoming the starter midway through the 2018 season.

Coming into the year there probably was very little separation in the coaches minds between Morgan and Annexstad. But when ZA got hurt Morgan was given an opportunity to be the guy and he ran with it.

As long as Morgan keeps performing at the level he has been performing at since becoming the starter he has very little to worry about in terms of losing his job to one of the other guys. If he stays healthy I fully expect Morgan to be the starter here in 2020 and 2021. If someone else on the roster earns the job for any reason besides injury then we will be seeing something truly magical from the QB position because it would be really hard to top the way Morgan has played.

 

[fair]

I’ve always been a little skeptical of Burns’ intel on this. Some of it is probably eye test related. I do expect Fleck to publicly declare a competition, but I also think it will be mostly lip service to keep the others from transferring. I have a little birdy too. That little birdy PM’d me tonight to mention that there are 127 other schools that would gladly take him if they mess around. That’s all I’m going to say about that.

I think there’s a 99.9% chance he starts, but if he for some reason didn’t I don’t think he transfers. Based on all of his press conferences and everything he seems like someone who wants to stick it out with Fleck no matter what.

 

[Veritas]

Isn’t it just a wonderful discussion to be having. To wonder if Morgan, who appears to be the best QB we’ve had in decades, is even going to be the starter next season. Don’t forget that behind Morgan and Annexstad, we have Kramer and Clark. Both of those guys are supposed to be pretty dang good. It’s just crazy, I don’t know how many times my Dad and I had the discussion about “why is it so damn hard for a power 5, Big Ten school, the main University in Minnesota, to land a solid QB. Why can East Carolina snag this QB that can scramble and throw 50+ yard rockets, but the Gophers can’t land a QB that can avoid 4 INT’s in the 4th quarter?” Now we have 4 on the same roster that could all potentially be better than the past 10-12 starters we’ve had.

That last sentence is a hum dinger. What evidence exists to support that sentence as even a remotely plausable possibility? As to your earlier question as to why we could not recruit even a good quarterback, I would point out that we were a running program. If an 18 year old wanted to play QB in the pros, why would he come here? But, as a general rule, it is the good team that makes the QB look good, not the other way around, IMHO. Put Morgan on Rutgers and he would just be another "bad college QB", and he knows it and says it.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

That last sentence is a hum dinger. What evidence exists to support that sentence as even a remotely plausable possibility? As to your earlier question as to why we could not recruit even a good quarterback, I would point out that we were a running program. If an 18 year old wanted to play QB in the pros, why would he come here? But, as a general rule, it is the good team that makes the QB look good, not the other way around, IMHO. Put Morgan on Rutgers and he would just be another "bad college QB", and he knows it and says it.

This isn’t close to true and you know it. The supporting cast is a huge factor but a competent QB that takes care of the ball is not a particularly plentiful commodity.

It’s true the rest of the team isn’t currently as good as the QB and receivers. If that were the case we’d have walked away with the Iowa and Wisconsin games.

 

[Spoofin]

Is The Manning award better than The Manning Camp was?

 

[PitinoFan]

That last sentence is a hum dinger. What evidence exists to support that sentence as even a remotely plausable possibility? As to your earlier question as to why we could not recruit even a good quarterback, I would point out that we were a running program. If an 18 year old wanted to play QB in the pros, why would he come here? But, as a general rule, it is the good team that makes the QB look good, not the other way around, IMHO. Put Morgan on Rutgers and he would just be another "bad college QB", and he knows it and says it.

When did Morgan say he’d be a “bad college QB” (in quotes even) on Rutgers? I know he always gives credit to his teammates, but that’s not what you said there. Seems like a trollish type comment, tbh.

 

[Veritas]

When did Morgan say he’d be a “bad college QB” (in quotes even) on Rutgers? I know he always gives credit to his teammates, but that’s not what you said there. Seems like a trollish type comment, tbh.

The QB is only as good as the overall team. Tanner says that all the time and I do not think he is just blowing smoke at us to sound "teamish". He is a smart guy who knows why he has enjoyed the success he has enjoyed here, here on this team, this year. Please don't feel threatened by that opinion.

 

[swelna]

Here's something I've been wondering. Do you guys think QB1 is 100% Tanner's spot this offseason? Obviously he's done everything to earn that right, but I feel like I could still see PJ making it a competition between TM and ZA. Since most people seem to believe that Zack was on his way to be starter this year, it'd be interesting to see how it would play out if they went that route again.

Personally, I'd prefer Fleck to stick with the guy getting all of this recognition in order to maintain some consistency in the offseason. However, I do know that's not really how he works.

Fleck will declare it a competition, and in some aspects it might be, but Morgan now has a year of in game experience ahead of Annexstad where Annexstad wasn't even practicing due to injury. Honestly, I would not be opposed to someone unseating Morgan, as that would hopefully mean we have someone better than him which would be phenomenal, but I doubt that happens. I think Morgan has enough of an experience gap to keep the spot next year. Now assuming all 3 backups stay healthy, Morgan stays healthy, and the 4 star QB currently committed for 2021 are all participating in spring 2021 practice, then I can see there potentially being an actual competition.

At that point too, I expect someone transfers. Someone will be #4 and or #5 after spring ball (if the 4 star jumps some of those currently on the roster), and unless they are happy with that and love the U for their education, I'm assuming #4/#5 transfers after 2021 spring practice.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

The QB is only as good as the overall team. Tanner says that all the time and I do not think he is just blowing smoke at us to sound "teamish". He is a smart guy who knows why he has enjoyed the success he has enjoyed here, here on this team, this year. Please don't feel threatened by that opinion.

Wrong

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Here's something I've been wondering. Do you guys think QB1 is 100% Tanner's spot this offseason? Obviously he's done everything to earn that right, but I feel like I could still see PJ making it a competition between TM and ZA. Since most people seem to believe that Zack was on his way to be starter this year, it'd be interesting to see how it would play out if they went that route again.

Personally, I'd prefer Fleck to stick with the guy getting all of this recognition in order to maintain some consistency in the offseason. However, I do know that's not really how he works.

PJ says there's always competition. I belive him.

 

[PitinoFan]

The QB is only as good as the overall team. Tanner says that all the time and I do not think he is just blowing smoke at us to sound "teamish". He is a smart guy who knows why he has enjoyed the success he has enjoyed here, here on this team, this year. Please don't feel threatened by that opinion.

Good players make each other better. Nobody disputes that. Morgan is a pretty humble kid, and not one to talk himself up, or take credit for much. But, in your original post, you attributed comments to him that I’ve never heard. Has he ever said he’d be a bad QB at Rutgers? I seriously doubt it. If I’m wrong, show me the source.