NEW ORLEANS (Manning Award/SMU) – SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings has been tabbed as one of the Manning Award Stars of the Week, announced the Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, on Monday.
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in 2004 to honor the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting. Since the Manning Award started recognizing Stars of the Week in 2011, 601 different quarterbacks from 138 schools have been recognized. Fifty-nine players have been honored so far in 2025.
College football fans can follow the Manning Award on social media (@ManningAward) to vote for what they think was the best performance from this past weekend. When voting closes on Wednesday at 9 a.m. (Central), the top vote-getter will be announced as the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week.
Voting will be live by approximately Noon central.
Jennings earns this honor after leading the Mustangs to a 26-20 overtime victory over No. 10 Miami, the first win over a top-10 team since 1983. The quarterback recorded a career-high 365 passing yards, going 29-44 and throwing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Yamir Knight in a single-play drive.
Efficient at spreading the offense, Jennings has thrown to at least seven receivers in each game this season. After the win over the Hurricanes, the quarterback now ranks fifth in SMU history for career passing yards (6,552) and career total offensive yards (7,080).
The Texas native currently ranks in the top 12 in FBS in three categories, placing seventh in passing yards (2,484), 10th in completions per game (23.33) and 12th in passing yards per game (276.0), all good for second in the ACC. With Jennings at the helm, the Mustangs' passing offense ranks 23rd in the nation (277.0).
Prior to the beginning of the season, Jennings was selected for multiple honors, including spots on the Maxwell Award Watch List, the Johnny Unitas Gold Arm Award Watch List, the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, the Manning Award Watch List and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List.
