Washington State’s Gardner Minshew named Maxwell Award National Player of the Week

PULLMAN – Monday turned to Tuesday, but Gardner Minshew didn’t stop hauling in weekly awards for his role in Washington State’s two-touchdown victory over No. 12 Oregon Saturday at Martin Stadium.

Minshew, who on Monday was named the Rose Bowl Game Pac-12 Player of the Week, one of the Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 Quarterback Performances of the week and one of eight Manning Award “Star” quarterbacks of the week, was selected as the Maxwell Award National Player of the Week on Tuesday.

The Maxwell Award annually recognizes the best player in college football. Minshew, a senior graduate transfer from East Carolina was added to its watch list after the Cougars’ week six victory over Oregon State.

In the 34-20 win over Oregon, the Brandon, Mississippi, native completed 39-of-51 passes for 323 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Minshew’s passed for at least 300 yards in each of his seven games as WSU’s starter and has gone over the 400-yard barrier four times.

Currently, he leads the country in passing yards-per-game (392.1), is second in total passing yards (2,745) and fifth in passing touchdowns (23).