A national award committee took notice of Will Rogers’ performance against Michigan.
Rogers was instrumental in the Huskies’ 27-17 triumph over the Wolverines, throwing for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns while completing 21 of his 31 passes. For his efforts, the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award named Rogers to their weekly “Great 8” list as one of the country’s best passers of the week.
Rogers made the list alongside Max Brosmer (Minnesota), Bryson Daily (Army), Eli Holstein (Pitt), Will Howard (Ohio State), Kyle McCord (Syracuse), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), and Cam Ward (Miami). Brosmer and Pavia also engineered their teams to big wins over ranked opponents relevant to the Huskies.
Minnesota took down USC in Big Ten conference play, while Vanderbilt won their first-ever game against a top 5 opponent when they edged past Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama team 40-35 on Saturday evening.
He did throw his first interception of the year on a leaping effort by Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann but was otherwise poised under pressure as he spread the ball to six different receivers. The senior is now No. 11 in the country in passing yards with 1,625 and tied for No. 18 in the nation with 12 touchdown passes.
Rogers’ inclusion on the Great 8, as well as his appearance on the preseason watch list for the Davey O’Brien Award, grants him a placement on the midseason watch list for the trophy. Awarded to the nation’s top quarterback since 1977, Washington has never had a passer win the award.