Zach Taylor Named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year
8 comments so far
November 28, 2006 by
It's official. The Lincoln Journal Star is reporting that Zach Taylor has been named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. In a vote of league coaches, the Nebraska senior quarterback came out on top. Husker fans can take a great deal of pride and even joy in seeing this award go to such a deserving player. It also serves to cement Taylor's place in the pantheon of Husker quarterbacks.
It is hard not to feel great for Taylor. The Husker's two-year starter came in from Junior College and helped lead the NU reclamation project on offense. He leaves with his name on some important school records for passing yardage and touchdowns. And now, he wraps up his college career as the league's best offensive player in the eyes of the coaches.
Taylor isn't the flashiest player by any stretch. Yes, Adrian Peterson's injury and Colt McCoy's late struggles aided Taylor in this win. But, those two guys either have had their day, or will have their day. Today is Taylor's. It's hard to argue that any one player meant more to his team on offense than Taylor did to NU.
As far as his place in NU lore, I offer this to consider. Taylor took the helm of a team in the midst of transition. He was the bridge between eras. He went out there and performed every day. He absorbed countless hits, and kept getting up. He always encouraged and never discouraged his teammates, even when it was clear some of them let him down. And, he produced. It's hard to argue with his production - 2,789 yards, 24 TDs and just 4 interceptions in the regular season this year.
For all of this, he has earned a sizable place in Husker hearts and a place on our quarterback mantle, right there with Tommie, Turner, Scott, Eric and Brook. Congratulations to a very deserving winner.
Zac Taylor in 2006 (so far)
Passing Stats: 196 of 315 (62%) for 2789 yards, 24 TDs and 4 INTs
Single season records broken this year:
- Passing Yards (2,789)
- Passing Yards per Game (232.4 ypg)
- Lowest Interception Percentage (1.27%)
- Touchdowns (24)
Note: He also holds a number of career records and single season records from last year.
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Tyler Nov 28 06
I've been following the Huskers since 96. Up until now, Cory Ross was always my favorite player. He epitomized what I thought athletics should be about. Add to that his diminutive stature and he brought hope to those told they aren't tall enough, fast enough, etc. Not to take away from Cory, but Zac is right there as well. I'm sure he has his faults and does act like a college student at times, but he has never had a blemish on his or NU's reputation and has done nothing but bring honor to this iNstitution. I applaud his selection and deserving of this award. I hope he gets to cap off a storybook career here with two more wins and hope to see him either in the NFL or coaching on our sidelines for many years to come. It could happen! No one would have written this storyline for his life three years ago on the Wake Forest sideline.
Grant Nov 28 06
I too would love to see him back some day as QB coach.
gt Nov 28 06
Good for Zac and good for the Husker coaches for believing and coaching Zac. I guess the comment that Harrison Beck made and the comment allegedly coming from an unnamed Big XII coach, that Zac is a so-so quarterback, has been proven wrong. Congratulations Zac.
Scott Nov 29 06
I agree with you 100% Darren. Zac may not have the talent that Adrian Peterson and Colt Mccoy have but this team would be nowhere close to where it is now without him. Zac may not play at the next level but I wouldn't be surprised to see him coaching at it.
Zac made the comment that this is a team effort and he wouldn't be able to get this honor without them. To me, Zac is the glue that keeps this team together. They believe in him and they know they have a chance to win every game with him at QB.
Congratulations Zac and the rest of the team!! This really is a team award!!
Tyler Nov 29 06
I sometimes wonder if we'll miss that glue next year, even with superior talent in Keller. It will be interesting to see.
Scott Nov 29 06
Has anyone from BRN tried to contact Harrison Beck or his Mommy for comment???
Sorry....that situation left a bad taste in my mouth .
James Moore Nov 29 06
Lifelong Husker fan. It's impossible to measure how much Zac meant to us and this program. From a program with an identity crisis to possibly a BCS berth. Without him, we'd be nothing. Husker insiders will remember hearing about him going through his first spring drills sick and I remember thinking, hey, that's exactly what we need. Zac sent an example for the rest of the program to follow. He opitimizes what the heart and soul of what we all associate with Nebraska football. . .
darren Nov 29 06
Wow, Scott...dropping bombs. LOL.
Taking that topic to the ridiculous level that I love so much - in one sense I'm glad that NU and Callahan were able to avoid what might have turned in to a Simms/Applewhite situation here at NU.
We were able to go with the steady leader instead of the blue-chipper who was promised playing time, and it made all the difference.
Robert Frost ("Two roads divided in a yellow wood") would be proud. Wow, I have to lay off of the coffee.