PULLMAN, Wash. — The WSU cougs have nominations for the Joe Moore award, Broyles award and the Davey O'brien award.
JOE MOORE AWARD
The WSU offensive line has been nominated as a semi-finalist for the Joe Moore award, which goes to the nation's top offensive line unit. The Cougs are one of ten lines to make the semi-final cut.
The Cougs have allowed just seven sacks this season on 537 pass attempts, which averages out to one sack for every 76 pass attempts. They have also allowed the fewest sacks in the Pac-12 and are tied for the 3rd-fewest sacks allowed in the country. This is especially impressive considering Washington State's offense is the top passing offense in the nation.
The Joe Moore Award committee had this to say about the WSU line: "One of the hardest units to judge because of pass heavy scheme, but they are excellent at what they do (pass protection), even though they aren't asked to do a whole lot. Pocket holds up really well. Extremely consistent.
BROYLES AWARD
WSU defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys has made the first cut for the Broyles Award, which is given to the top assistant coach in the country. Claeys is one of 15 assistants still up for the award.
Claeys is in his first year as the Cougs' defensive coordinator. Nationally, WSU ranks 13th in sacks with 34, and ranks 26th in total defense, averaging 333.8 yards per contest. In the Pac-12, the Cougs are first in sacks and fourth in total defense.
DAVEY O'BREIN AWARD
Gardner Minshew has been named one of three finalists for the Davey O'Brein Award, which is given to the top quarterback in the nation. It is the nation's oldest national quarterback award.
Minshew becomes the second player in WSU history (Ryan Leaf) to be up for the award. This year he has thrown for an NCAA-best 4,325 yards while completing 70.4% off his pass attempts, which comes in fifth in the country. His 36 touchdown passes ties for first in the nation, and his average of 201.5 yards of offense per contest also comes in at first in the country. He has passed for over 400 yards six times this season, which no other quarterback has achieved.
Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa and Oklahoma's Kyler Murray is also up for the award. The winner of the award will be announced on the Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 6th.