University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: George Walker
Ferguson Named To Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
Jul 19, 2017 | Football
Third preseason recognition for the Tigers quarterback.
BALTIMORE, Md. – University of Memphis senior quarterback Riley Ferguson has been named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation announced Wednesday. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Ferguson is one of four quarterbacks from the American Athletic Conference on the Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list. Houston's Kyle Allen, USF's Quinton Flowers, and Cincinnati's Hayden Moore are the other two quarterbacks from the league on the list.
The Matthews, N.C., native returns in 2017 after one of the most productive seasons by a quarterback in program history. Ferguson was 280-of-443 passing for 3,698 yards and 32 touchdowns last season. His 32 touchdown tosses set a school season mark, and his 3,698 yards and 280 completions are the second-most in program history behind only Paxton Lynch, who was a 2016 NFL Draft first-round pick of the Denver Broncos.
In 2016, Ferguson posted seven 300-yard passing performances, the second-most for a season behind Lynch, and became only the third quarterback in program history to pass for over 400 yards in a game (Lynch, Martin Hankins). Ferguson's 400-yard game came in the 2016 regular-season finale win over No. 18/21 Houston. He finished the Houston game with 406 passing yards and eclipsed the 400-yard mark on his final attempt and completion of the game, a 10-yard pass to Anthony Miller for the game-winning touchdown with :19 remaining.
Ferguson finished the 2016 campaign ranked among the American Athletic Conference leaders in passing yards per game (2nd; 284.5 ypg), pass efficiency (2nd; 152.6), total offense (3rd; 279.1 ypg) and touchdown passes (T1st; 32). His 32 touchdowns passes were 11th-most at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level in 2016.
After only one season, Ferguson's name appears on several career charts. He enters 2017 on the completions (6th), attempts (8th), yards (7th), TD (4th) and 300-yard passing games (4th).
The Golden Arm Award is presented at the end of each football season, and the winner is selected based on accomplishments both on and off the field. Candidates must be a college senior or fourth-year junior on schedule to graduate with their class.
The Golden Arm Award committee will announce the top-15 finalists for the 2017 Golden Arm Award in September. The 30th anniversary presentation of the Golden Arm Award will be held Dec. 8 at the Embassy Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor & Grand.
Ferguson (Maxwell, O'Brien, Unitas) is one of seven Tigers to be named to 2017 preseason watch lists. Other Memphis preseason watch list candidates are: linebacker Genard Avery (Bronko Nagurski, Butkus), offensive lineman Gabe Kuhn (Outland Trophy), center Drew Kyser (Rimington Trophy), wide receiver Anthony Miller (Biletnikoff), running back/kick returner Tony Pollard (Hornung Award) and punter Spencer Smith (Ray Guy Award). Smith also earned a nomination for the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team.
Memphis is inching closer towards the start of the 2017 preseason camp. The team reports to campus July 27, with the first day of practice scheduled the following day.
The Tigers open their 2017 season with a special Labor Day weekend/Thursday night game against Louisiana-Monroe Aug. 31. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (CT) at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Memphis' season opener is the first of seven home games for the 2017 campaign. Season tickets are on sale now, beginning at $130 (or $115 for TSF members at the $100 donor level) for all seven home games. Tickets and season parking passes can be purchased online at www.GoTigersGo.com/Footballtickets.
Ferguson is one of four quarterbacks from the American Athletic Conference on the Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list. Houston's Kyle Allen, USF's Quinton Flowers, and Cincinnati's Hayden Moore are the other two quarterbacks from the league on the list.
The Matthews, N.C., native returns in 2017 after one of the most productive seasons by a quarterback in program history. Ferguson was 280-of-443 passing for 3,698 yards and 32 touchdowns last season. His 32 touchdown tosses set a school season mark, and his 3,698 yards and 280 completions are the second-most in program history behind only Paxton Lynch, who was a 2016 NFL Draft first-round pick of the Denver Broncos.
In 2016, Ferguson posted seven 300-yard passing performances, the second-most for a season behind Lynch, and became only the third quarterback in program history to pass for over 400 yards in a game (Lynch, Martin Hankins). Ferguson's 400-yard game came in the 2016 regular-season finale win over No. 18/21 Houston. He finished the Houston game with 406 passing yards and eclipsed the 400-yard mark on his final attempt and completion of the game, a 10-yard pass to Anthony Miller for the game-winning touchdown with :19 remaining.
Ferguson finished the 2016 campaign ranked among the American Athletic Conference leaders in passing yards per game (2nd; 284.5 ypg), pass efficiency (2nd; 152.6), total offense (3rd; 279.1 ypg) and touchdown passes (T1st; 32). His 32 touchdowns passes were 11th-most at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level in 2016.
After only one season, Ferguson's name appears on several career charts. He enters 2017 on the completions (6th), attempts (8th), yards (7th), TD (4th) and 300-yard passing games (4th).
The Golden Arm Award is presented at the end of each football season, and the winner is selected based on accomplishments both on and off the field. Candidates must be a college senior or fourth-year junior on schedule to graduate with their class.
The Golden Arm Award committee will announce the top-15 finalists for the 2017 Golden Arm Award in September. The 30th anniversary presentation of the Golden Arm Award will be held Dec. 8 at the Embassy Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor & Grand.
Ferguson (Maxwell, O'Brien, Unitas) is one of seven Tigers to be named to 2017 preseason watch lists. Other Memphis preseason watch list candidates are: linebacker Genard Avery (Bronko Nagurski, Butkus), offensive lineman Gabe Kuhn (Outland Trophy), center Drew Kyser (Rimington Trophy), wide receiver Anthony Miller (Biletnikoff), running back/kick returner Tony Pollard (Hornung Award) and punter Spencer Smith (Ray Guy Award). Smith also earned a nomination for the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team.
Memphis is inching closer towards the start of the 2017 preseason camp. The team reports to campus July 27, with the first day of practice scheduled the following day.
The Tigers open their 2017 season with a special Labor Day weekend/Thursday night game against Louisiana-Monroe Aug. 31. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (CT) at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Memphis' season opener is the first of seven home games for the 2017 campaign. Season tickets are on sale now, beginning at $130 (or $115 for TSF members at the $100 donor level) for all seven home games. Tickets and season parking passes can be purchased online at www.GoTigersGo.com/Footballtickets.
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