Fitzgerald semifinalist for O'Brien Award
For Starkville Daily News
Mississippi State junior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald continues to receive national recognition as the dual-threat quarterback was selected one of 16 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien Award on Tuesday.
The award is presented annually to the best college quarterback and is the nation's oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. Fitzgerald was one of just two Southeastern Conference quarterbacks amongst the semifinalist selections, joining Alabama's Jalen Hurts. Fitzgerald is the first MSU quarterback to be chosen a semifinalist for the honor since Dak Prescott in 2015.
Through the air, Fitzgerald has gone 133-for-234 (56.8 percent) for 1,459 yards over his junior campaign. He has thrown for 13 scores, which already ranks in a tie for ninth in MSU singleseason history. The Richmond Hill, Ga., native leads MSU with 801 yards rushing, which is the most by an SEC quarterback this season and ranks fourth amongst the league. He averages 89.0 yards per game and leads the team with 12 rushing scores, which is tied for the second overall in the conference.
Fitzgerald is one of just two FBS quarterbacks to rush for over 800 yards and throw for over 1,400 yards this season, joining Louisville's Lamar Jackson. In total this season, he has accounted for 2,260 yards of offense and 25 total touchdowns.
Fitzgerald has turned in five 100-yard rushing outings this season, including an active streak of four straight 100-yard rushing games, to bring his career total to 13, which sets the MSU and SEC record for the most 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback. His 13 career 100-yard rushing games also ranks second overall in MSU history. He has accounted for 2,303 rushing yards over his career, which is the fourth most by an SEC quarterback.
Over his career, Fitzgerald has been responsible for 65 total touchdowns. He joins Prescott as one of only five SEC quarterbacks in the last 20 years with over 30 career passing touchdowns and 30 career rushing touchdowns. He currently ranks third in school history with 31 career rushing touchdowns and fourth with 37 career passing scores.
The Davey O'Brien Fan Vote, which counts for 5 percent during each round of the voting process, remains open until noon on Sunday, Nov. 19. Fans are invited to cast their vote once daily per email address.
In conjunction with ESPN, the Davey O'Brien Foundation and the selection committee will release the names of the three finalists on Tuesday, Nov. 21. The 2017 Davey O'Brien winner will be announced live during the Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 7.