Drew Willy Named a Johnny Unitas Candidate

UB quarterback is one of 26 candidates on list

Drew Willy

BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo quarterback Drew Willy (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) has been named a candidate for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top senior collegiate quarterback by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc.

Willy, who is entering his senior season and his fourth year as the Bulls' starting signal caller, is coming off his best season. In 2007, he set a new mark for completions in a season (258), had the highest pass efficiency rating in school history (135.7), the highest completion percentage (68.4%) in a single season and had 15 touchdowns with only six interceptions.

Willy also set the school record for completions in a game (34) at Kent State while passing for a career-high 334 yards. He was twice named MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week. Going into his senior season, Willy is already tied for the career mark in completions (545) and needs 2,035 yards to set the career passing mark next season.

The Randolph, NJ native is one of 26 senior quarterbacks to be named to the list and the only one from the Mid-American Conference. Other notable names on the list are Missouri's Chase Daniel, Mike Teel of Rutgers, West Virginia's Pat White and Todd Boeckman of Ohio State. The 2007 winner of the award was Matt Ryan of Boston College.

The 2008 winner will be presented with the award on December 5th at the Tremont Grand Meeting & Banquet Facility, in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.

Fans will get their first chance to see Willy in action when the Bulls take the field against UTEP in their home opener on August 28 at UB Stadium.

06/13/2008