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University of Minnesota Athletics
Leidner on Golden Arm Award List
8/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
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University of Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner has been named to the 2016 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, the foundation announced Thursday.
Named after one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and established in 1987, this prestigious award is presented annually at the end of each season to the nation's top college quarterback based on character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities and athletic accomplishments. Candidates must be a college senior or fourth year junior on schedule to graduate with their class.
The senior is also on the Maxwell Award Watch List and the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List. Last season, Leidner set a program record for a junior in completions (242) and passing yards (2,701). He set career highs in completions (27) at Ohio State, attempts at Colorado State (45) and passing yards (317) against Michigan.
The Lakeville, Minn. native passed for 250 yards or more in five games (Ohio, Nebraska, Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa) to become the first Gopher quarterback to have five 250-yard games in a season since Adam Weber had five in 2007.
In his career Leidner has played in 35 career games (20-15 record) and started 29 (16-13 record). He has rushed for 1,129 career yards and 23 career touchdowns (second most in school history for a quarterback) and has passed for 5,118 yards (sixth most in school history) and 28 touchdowns (eighth most in school history). He ranks fifth all-time in school history in completion percentage (56.4), sixth in completions (407) and tied for sixth in attempts (722). Leidner is one of only two Minnesota quarterbacks to pass and rush for 20 career touchdowns (Rickey Foggie rushed for 24 and passed for 33 from 1984-87).
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award will be presented at a ceremony on Dec. 9, 2016 in Baltimore, Md.
