Nov. 8, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Senior Brett Basanez (Arlington Heights, Ill./St. Viator) was tabbed a 2005 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award semifinalist on Tuesday. The announcement was made by the Davey O'Brien Foundation, which was established in 1977.
Basanez is one of 15 quarterbacks named to the semifinal list, which will be paired to three finalists on Tuesday, Nov. 22. Joining Basanez on semifinal list are two Big Ten quarterbacks, Penn State's Michael Robinson and Michigan State's Drew Stanton.
The other 12 semifinalists are Brian Brohm (Louisville), Brodie Croyle (Alabama), Jay Cutler (Vanderbilt), Cody Hodges (Texas Tech), Omar Jacobs (Bowling Green), Matt Leinart (USC), Drew Olson (UCLA), Paul Pinegar (Fresno State), Brady Quinn (Notre Dame), Brad Smith (Missouri), Marcus Vick (Virginia Tech) and Vince Young (Texas).
Basanez is closing out a record-setting career with a record-setting season. Through nine games, he has already passed for an NU-record 2,845 yards. He has thrown 16 touchdown passes and just five interceptions while completing 64.7 percent of his passes. Basanez, college football's leading active passer with 9,803 yards, has a current pass efficiency rating of 141.86, which is the best in school history.
Heading into this Saturday's game at 10th-ranked Ohio State, Basanez ranks 27th on the NCAA all-time list for total offense (10,696 yards) and 39th on the all-time passing list (9,803 yards).
Earlier this season, Basanez was named one of the seven Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalists. The Unitas Award honors the nation's top senior quarterback.