McDonald Named a Semifinalist for the 2022 Campbell Trophy
September 28, 2022 | Football
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green senior quarterback Matt McDonald was named today (Sept. 28) a semifinalist for the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy by the National Football Foundation (NFF). The award is considered the "Academic Heisman" and McDonald is one of 156 semifinalists, including six from the Mid-American Conference. Student-athletes at the Division I, II, III and NAIA level are all eligible for the award.
The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 26, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2022 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 64th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 6, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports.
McDonald (Sr., Newport Beach, Calif.) is one of three FBS quarterbacks with 10+ touchdown passes and zero interceptions. He joins Dillon Gabriel (Oklahoma) and Todd Centeio (James Madison), who both have 11 passing touchdowns. McDonald is No. 1 in the MAC and tied for No. 18 in the nation with 10 passing touchdowns. His 24.0 points responsible per game ranks No. 1 in the MAC and No. 6 in the nation. He has been named MAC East Offensive Player of the Week for two of the three games he has played this season. McDonald is No. 1 in the nation on fourth down passing with 88 yards and No. 1 in the nation on fourth down passes of 25+ yards (3). McDonald's father, Paul, was an NFF National Scholar-Athlete in 1979 out of USC.
"These 156 impressive candidates truly represent the scholar-athlete ideal," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy® winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "During the past seven decades, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards have recognized 891 college football players who excelled as the best our great sport has to offer. This year's semifinalists build on the tradition, further illustrating the power of football in developing the next generation of influential leaders."
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
"The NFF would like to personally congratulate each of the semifinalists as well as their schools and coaches on their tremendous accomplishments," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "We are extremely proud to highlight their achievements, showcasing their ability to balance academics and athletics at the highest level. The NFF Awards Committee will have an incredibly difficult task in selecting the finalists from this outstanding group of candidates."
Bowling Green returns to action on Saturday at Akron. The game will start at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 26, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2022 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 64th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 6, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports.
McDonald (Sr., Newport Beach, Calif.) is one of three FBS quarterbacks with 10+ touchdown passes and zero interceptions. He joins Dillon Gabriel (Oklahoma) and Todd Centeio (James Madison), who both have 11 passing touchdowns. McDonald is No. 1 in the MAC and tied for No. 18 in the nation with 10 passing touchdowns. His 24.0 points responsible per game ranks No. 1 in the MAC and No. 6 in the nation. He has been named MAC East Offensive Player of the Week for two of the three games he has played this season. McDonald is No. 1 in the nation on fourth down passing with 88 yards and No. 1 in the nation on fourth down passes of 25+ yards (3). McDonald's father, Paul, was an NFF National Scholar-Athlete in 1979 out of USC.
"These 156 impressive candidates truly represent the scholar-athlete ideal," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy® winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "During the past seven decades, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards have recognized 891 college football players who excelled as the best our great sport has to offer. This year's semifinalists build on the tradition, further illustrating the power of football in developing the next generation of influential leaders."
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
"The NFF would like to personally congratulate each of the semifinalists as well as their schools and coaches on their tremendous accomplishments," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "We are extremely proud to highlight their achievements, showcasing their ability to balance academics and athletics at the highest level. The NFF Awards Committee will have an incredibly difficult task in selecting the finalists from this outstanding group of candidates."
Bowling Green returns to action on Saturday at Akron. The game will start at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
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