December 8, 2010
NationalChamps.net releases 4th annual Underdog Award
GIVEN TO THE NATION'S BEST MID-MAJOR PLAYER

Kellen Moore Wins NationalChamps.net’s 2010 UNDERDOG AWARD

BALTIMORE, Md. -- In an effort to bring media attention to those players from smaller schools that are too often overlooked for the HEISMAN and other major awards, NationalChamps.net presents our fourth annual UNDERDOG AWARD to recognize the best FBS Mid-Major player in the nation. In evaluating the rich talent found throughout the 54 schools not aligned in automatic-bid BCS conferences, our commitment to finding overall excellence in college football at all levels remains at the forefront of our efforts.

Started in 2007, the UNDERDOG AWARD is the only post-season award dedicated exclusively to these exceptional Mid-Major student-athletes. NationalChamps.net recognizes all of our candidates and their achievements, which exemplify the UNDERDOG AWARD’s integrity and aim.

Our 2010 UNDERDOG AWARD Finalists were determined last week. An exclusive group of seven finalists were presented to our exclusive group of voters. Each represent how high the bar of Mid-Major talent has been set and show the immense need for an award like this.


The 2010 UNDERDOG AWARD Finalists (announced December 1, 2010):
QB Andy Dalton – Senior – TCU
RB Lance Dunbar – Junior – North Texas
LB Mario Harvey – Senior – Marshall
WR Damaris Johnson – Junior – Tulsa
QB Colin Kaepernick – Senior – Nevada
QB Kellen Moore – Junior – Boise State
WR Greg Salas – Senior – Hawai’i

But, there can be only one winner. After evaluating the numbers and all of the other tangible and intangible factors, our panel of voters has made its decision. NationalChamps.net is pleased to name Kellen Moore of Boise State as the repeat winner of the 2010 UNDERDOG AWARD, the first player ever to both win the UNDERDOG AWARD twice and win it two years consecutively.
QB Kellen Moore - Boise State
Class: Junior
Height: 6-0 Weight: 191
Hometown: Prosser, WA
Team Record: 11-1
Passing
Rushing
CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS AVG TD
245 345 3506 71.0 10.2 33 5 185.0 16 -21 -1.3 1
Game Log .. Passing Rushing
DATE & OPP
RESULT
CMP
ATT
YDS
TD
INT
ATT
YDS
TD
9/6 vs. Virginia Tech
Won 33-30
23
38
215
3
0
2
-19
0
9/18 at Wyoming
Won 51-6
20
30
370
2
1
2
-1
0
9/25 Oregon State
Won 37-24
19
27
288
3
0
2
-1
0
10/2 at New Mexico State
Won 59-0
13
18
196
3
0
0
0
0
10/9 Toledo
Won 57-14
16
22
267
3
0
1
6
0
10/16 at San Jose State
Won 48-0
14
16
231
2
0
1
4
0
10/26 Louisiana Tech
Won 49-20
20
28
298
2
1
1
-13
0
11/6 Hawai'i
Won 42-7
30
37
507
3
2
0
0
0
11/12 at Idaho
Won 52-14
19
26
216
3
0
1
1
0
11/19 Fresno State
Won 51-0
27
38
333
4
1
2
0
0
11/26 at Nevada
Lost 31-34
20
31
348
2
0
2
-11
0
12/4 Utah State
Won 50-14
24
34
237
3
0
2
13
1
                   

After his strong showing last year, Kellen picked right back up where he left off – threatening and breaking school, conference and FBS records galore. At an offensive minded program which has always boasted strong hurlers, the Washington state native reached the top of several Boise State career categories – Moore becomes the first Bronco to pass for 10,000 yards (10,528 and counting), as well as setting a host of other Boise State marks: 200-yard passing games (32), completions (803), and TD passes (94). Moore again ranks second in the nation in passing efficiency (185.04) with his highest single-season rating yet. This eclipses last year’s mark (161.65) while threatening the FBS single-season career pass efficiency record set by 2008 UNDERDOG AWARD winner Colt Brennan of Hawai’i (186.0). Moore’s career efficiency rating of 166.93 leads all active quarterbacks, and he approaches both the school and FBS career efficiency mark of former Bronco Ryan Dinwiddle (168.9). Accordingly, his accuracy improved since 2009 from 64 to 71%, and yards per pass attempt shot up from a respectable 8.2 in ’09 to this season’s lofty 10.17. In every game this season, Moore has produced multiple passing TDs. And he is still just a Junior. That makes his career record of 37-2 as a starter that much more impressive – only 2009 & 2010 UNDERDOG AWARD Finalist Andy Dalton has more career wins (41), though, the TCU QB is a Senior. Since 2009, Moore sustained an FBS-leading 24-game win streak as a starter until Boise went to No.19 Nevada in late November and lost by three points in OT. But even more impressive has been Kellen’s leadership abilities under the pressure of the Bronco’s highest preseason and regular season rankings ever. Beginning the season ranked No.3 in the AP, Moore kept the Boise State ship righted throughout the first 10 games as the Broncos were the only preseason Top 5 team to still remain ranked so highly that late into the season. As stated last year, Moore continues setting a legacy in motion that will resonate his gridiron success in both the Northwest and the nation for decades.

From Prosser, Washington, Kellen Moore is the 2010 UNDERDOG AWARD winner, and he reflects a competitive spirit as “true blue” as the turf upon which he plays.

FINALISTS (released December 1, 2010)
  ARCHIVE LINKS
2009 Winner: QB Kellen Moore - Boise State
2008 Winner: QB Chase Clement - Rice
2007 Winner: QB Colt Brennan - Hawai'i