FORT WORTH, Texas – Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew II was named a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, the Davey O'Brien Committee announced Wednesday.

Minshew II is one of 16 semifinalists for the award which annually recognizes the best college quarterback, and is the nation's oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. Former Cougar quarterback Luke Falk was a semifinalist for the award last season.

Minshew II has guided the Cougars to an 8-1 record and a No. 10 national ranking while leading the nation in passing yards (3,517), passing yards-per-game (390.8) and total offense-per-game (397.4). The graduate transfer from Brandon, Miss. is sixth in the country with a Pac-12-best 27 touchdown passes and also leads the country with five games of 400+ passing yards.

Minshew II is also a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award (College Player of the Year), was named to the Top-15 for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Top Senior or 4^th-year junior) and to the Midseason National Performer of the Year Trophy Watch List by the College Football Performance Awards.

The Davey O'Brien Fan Vote counts as five percent during each round of the voting process, and is combined with the results from the Foundation's national selection committee, which is comprised of journalists, broadcasters, commentators and former winners.

After clearing the first round totals, the Fan Vote at VoteOBrien.org will reopen today (Nov. 7) and remain open until noon (CT) on Sunday, Nov. 18, for the second round of balloting. Fans are invited to cast their vote for the nation's best college quarterback once daily per email address.

In conjunction with ESPN, the Davey O'Brien Foundation and its National Selection Committee will release the names of the three finalists on Monday, Nov. 19. The 2018 Davey O'Brien winner will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards Thursday, Dec. 6.