Wisconsin's Tolzien wins Unitas Award

Scott Tolzien now finds himself associated with one of the greatest quarterbacks in football history.

The Wisconsin senior and Fremd High School product won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award on Monday afternoon. The award is presented annually to the top senior quarterback in college football.

Tolzien, who led Wisconsin to an 11-1 record, a share of the Big Ten title and a spot in the Rose Bowl, was one of five finalists for the award. Tolzien will receive the award at a banquet Friday in Baltimore.

Unitas was a Hall of Fame quarterback with the Baltimore Colts from 1956-72.

“Scott Tolzien personifies everything that my father stood for,” said John C. Unitas Jr., the president of the John Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, in a statement.

“He is not only simply an outstanding quarterback but an outstanding individual who is a leader both on and off the field, tirelessly devoting himself to his team and his community and to being a mentor for others.”

In his second season as a starter at Wisconsin, Tolzien has thrown for 2,300 yards and 16 touchdowns with a 74.3 completion percentage and a 169.8 quarterback efficiency rating.

He holds Wisconsin career records for completion percentage (68.5) and quarterback rating (154.4). He is fourth all time in school history for passing yardage (5,112) and sixth all time in touchdown passes (32).