Fresno State Athletics
Carr Named Unitas Award Winner
11/27/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 27, 2001
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Fresno State senior quarterback David Carr, who leads the nation in passing yards and touchdowns, on Tuesday was named the winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Carr has completed 64 percent (288-of-450) of his passes for 3,876 yards and 36 touchdowns, leading the Bulldogs to a 10-2 record and a berth in the Silicon Valley Bowl.
With one game remaining, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Carr has a chance to become just the sixth quarterback in NCAA history to pass for 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in the same season.
Carr also broke Trent Dilfer's single-season school record of 3,799 yards, passing for more than 300 yards in nine of the Bulldogs' 12 games.
"David has just had a phenomenal season," head coach Pat Hill said. "He has been our physical and emotional leader all year. You cannot ask more out of a quarterback than what David Carr has done this year."
Carr was chosen from a list of finalists that included Nebraska's Eric Crouch, Oregon's Joey Harrington, Illinois' Kurt Kittner and Northwestern's Zak Kustok. He ranks third in the nation in total offense at 330.4 yards per game.
"I was in the league for five years and David has what it takes to be a great player in the NFL," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. "He has the physical tools, he is smart and he is extremely tough."
Named after the Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame quarterback, the Unitas Award has recognized the nation's top senior signal-caller since its inception in 1987. Carr will receive the award at a banquet on Dec. 7.
Chris Weinke of Florida State was last year's winner.
