NU quarterback on Unitas watch list
Northwestern senior quarterback C.J. Bacher is among 26 quarterbacks nationally earning preseason consideration for the 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
The Unitas award is presented annually to the nation's top senior collegiate quarterback.
The award takes into consideration the athlete's collegiate career, as well as his off-the-field values of good character, citizenship, scholastic achievement and strong leadership qualities.
Bacher was named an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2007 after setting a Northwestern single-season record with 3,656 passing yards, the seventh-best mark in Big Ten history. He enters his senior season ranked seventh on NU's career passing yardage list (4,887).
His top performance a year ago came in a 48-41 overtime win at Michigan State Oct. 6 during which he threw for a school-record 520 yards, completing 38 of 48 passes for 5 touchdowns and no interceptions.
Last season, Bacher ranked 12th nationally in total offense (307.3 ypg), 10th in passing yards (304.7 ypg) and eighth in completions per game (26.5). He has also excelled in the classroom throughout his time at Northwestern, earning three Academic All-Big Ten honors.
The 2008 Unitas Award winner will be presented with the honor on Dec. 5 in Baltimore, Md.