Founded in 1977 by members of the Fort Worth Club, the Davey O'Brien Memorial Award honored annually the outstanding college football player in the five Southwest states of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico.
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In 1981, the area was expanded from the five Southwestern states to the entire nation. The Trustees further agreed to restrict the selection to a quarterback, the primary position of the award's namesake, Davey O'Brien.
Gino Torretta, 1992
Miami quarterback Gino Torretta became the second Hurricane to win the Davey O'Brien National College Quarterback Award in 1992.
Torretta still ranks as Miami's all-time leader with 7,690 passing yards, 555 completions and 7,722 yards in total offense. He also had 123 consecutive pass attempts without an interception. Both Steve Walsh (1988) and Craig Erickson (1990) were runners-up in their respective years.
Vinny Testaverde, 1986
In 1986, UM quarterback Vinny Testaverde captured the Davey O'Brien National College Quarterback Award -- becoming the first Miami player to bring the award home to Coral Gables.
Testaverde threw for 2,557 yards and 26 touchdowns with only nine interceptions while leading Miami to an undefeated regular season and the nation's number one ranking entering the Fiesta Bowl.
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