Oct. 28, 2008

University of Tulsa quarterback David Johnson was named as one of 13 semifinalists for The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien), as the 2008 semifinalist list was announced today. The list highlights 13 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) quarterbacks who will vie for the award honoring the nation's best quarterback until Finalists are announced November 24.

Johnson ranks first nationally in passing efficiency (205.3) and for points responsible for (26.25) points. He also ranks fifth in passing yards per game (332.6), total passing yards (2,661) and sixth in total offense (344.9). He has completed 68-percent of his passes for 2,661 yards and 32 touchdowns. Johnson's passing total ranks seventh on the school's single-season passing chart, while his 32 TDs is the second most for a single season as well.

A senior from Portland, Oregon, Johnson has had three 400+ passing games and two games with 6 TD games this season. Johnson made his first career start in the season opener. He came into the season having completed just 41-of-63 passes for 472 yards and two TDs in his previous three seasons, and now has career totals of 196-of-290 for 3,151 yards and 34 TDs.

The O'Brien honors the nation's best college quarterback of the year and inspires student-athletes to triumph both on and off the field. Johnson is the only quarterback from Conference USA to be named as a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award.

"These candidates represent a high level of talent from coast to coast," said Danielle Moorman, executive director of the Davey O'Brien Foundation. "The O'Brien is proud to highlight these young men, not only for their elite quarterback skills, but for their qualities of character and leadership that the award is committed to honoring."

These 13 Semifinalists will contend for the award until the list is narrowed to three Finalists on November 24. All Finalists will be in attendance in Orlando, Fla., where The O'Brien Winner will be announced during The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show airing December 11. The recipient will be honored February 16, 2009, at the 32nd Annual O'Brn Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fans are able to vote for Semifinalist candidates once daily at www.VoteOBrien.org. The voting will continue throughout the Semifinalist and Finalist rounds with 5% of the final tally coming directly from the Fan Vote.

2008 O'Brien Semifinalistsbr>

Sam Bradford,  So., Oklahoma, Big 12
Daryll Clark, Jr., Penn State, Big Ten
Chase Daniel, Sr., Missouri, Big 12
Max Hall, Jr., BYU, MWC
Graham Harrell, Sr., Texas Tech, Big 12
David Johnson, Sr., Tulsa, C-USA
Colt McCoy, Jr., Texas, Big 12
Todd Reesing, Jr., Kansas, Big 12
Zac Robinson, Jr., Oklahoma State, Big 12
Mark Sanchez, Jr., USC, Pac-10
Matthew Stafford, Jr., Georgia, SEC
Tim Tebow, Jr., Florida, SEC
John Parker Wilson, Sr., Alabama, SEC