Rutgers QB Gary Nova Named Manning Award Star of the Week

After staking his claim to his own job during last week’s practice, Rutgers University quarterback Gary Nova was one of eight Manning Award Stars of the Week.

The senior made his way on to the list after throwing the game-winning 33-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Leonte Carroo with 35 seconds left to lead the Scarlet Knights over Temple, 23-20.

He had a career-high 371 passing yards and three touchdowns.

In the previous two games, Nova threw a total of seven interceptions, leading coach Kyle Flood to open up the quarterback competition to include senior Chas Dodd. Flood announced two days before the game that Nova would start his 21st consecutive game at QB.

The game-winner was the second touchdown pass Nova threw to Carroo on Saturday. His first was a 34-yard score to open the fourth quarter, with the Scarlet Knights trailing the Owls, 13-9.

His other touchdown pass was a 4-yarder to Michael Burton in the third.

For the season, Nova is 136-of-231 for 1,882 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, according to scarletknights.com.

Nova was also named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts, and Carroo was named to the conference’s weekly Honor Roll, the University announced on Monday.

The Scarlet Knights improved to 5-3 overall, 2-2 in conference play. They currently stand in sixth place in the conference.

Rutgers next takes the field on Nov. 16, when it hosts Cincinnati (6-2, 3-1) in a game to be televised nationally on ESPNews.

Nova was named a Manning Award Star of the Week for the second time this season.

Fans vote for their choice on the Allstate Sugar Bowl’s Facebook page until 11 a.m. Thursday.

The other nominees are:

Tajh Boyd, Clemson

(24-of-29, 377 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, QBR: 83.6)

Boyd also rushes for a touchdown as he becomes the ACC’s all-time leader in total touchdowns responsible for while playing just over one half in a 59-10 blowout of Virginia.

Kolton Browning, UL-Monroe

(21-of-31, 354 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INT, QBR: 85.1)

Browning continues to recover impressively from a serious leg injury, throwing for season-bests in yards and touchdowns as he leads the Warhawks to a critical Sun Belt road win over Troy, 49-37.

Derek Carr, Fresno State

(39-of-55, 487 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT, QBR: 80.3)

Carr, who also rushes for a touchdown, becomes Fresno State’s all-time leader with 10,821 passing yards in a 41-23 victory over Nevada.

Grant Hedrick, Boise State

(19-of-27, 305 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INT, QBR: 95.8)

Hedrick has the biggest game of his career, tallying six touchdowns (one rushing) in a 42-30 Mountain West road victory over Colorado State.

Taylor Kelly, Arizona State

(22-of-31, 275 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT, QBR: 95.4)

Kelly registers a career high with seven touchdowns (he also rushes for 66 yards and two scores) as the Sun Devils cruise to a 55-21 Pac-12 road win over Washington State.

Philip Nelson, Minnesota

(16-of-23, 298 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INT, QBR: 94.6)

Nelson, who records career-highs in passing yards and touchdowns, caps his day by connecting on a 50-yard touchdown pass with 3:06 to go to lift the surging Gophers to a 42-39 Big Ten road victory over Indiana. 

Terrance Owens, Toledo

(18-of-24, 375 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT, QBR: 95.2)

Owens registers a season-high in passing yards as he leads the Rockets to a 55-16 MAC victory over Eastern Michigan.