NEW ORLEANS, La. - Warrior quarterback Colt Brennan is one of 11 finalists for the Manning Award to be presented to the nation's best college quarterback, the Sugar Bowl Committee announced today.

The 10 other finalists include: Erik Ainge (Tennessee), John David Booty (USC), Brian Brohm (Louisville), Chad Henne (Michigan), Chris Leak (Florida), Nate Longshore (California), Brady Quinn (Notre Dame), JaMarcus Russell (LSU), Troy Smith (Ohio State) and Patrick White (West Virginia).

Brennan currently leads the nation in passing efficiency (189.6), total offense (403.3), points responsible for (28.91), passing yards (4,155) and touchdown passes (48). The junior from Irvine, Calif., is also second in passing yards per game (377.73) and tied the NCAA record for most passing touchdowns in two seasons in last week's game against San Jose State. He now has 83 touchdown passes in two seasons and needs one more to surpass the mark set by Houston's David Klingler.

"I'm very happy for Colt that he is being recognized among the elite group of quarterbacks," Hawai'i head coach June Jones said. "Part of it is a result of playing on a winning team, but I can't imagine another quarterback has played better than Colt has this season."

The Manning Award was created in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning and will be presented to the recipient following the holiday bowl season. It is the only quarterback award which takes into consideration the candidates bowl performances.

The winner will be determined by a select panel of national media covering college football, as well as each of the Mannings.Last year’s winner of the Manning Award was Vince Young of Texas.

Earlier this week, Brennan was named one of three finalists for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award. He will travel to Orlando, Fla., for the ESPN College Football Awards Show aired live on Dec. 7, from Walt Disney World Resort.

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