WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue senior quarterback David Blough has been named one of three finalists for the Wuerffel Trophy. The award is presented to the college football player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
Blough is the epitome of a student-athlete and citizen. The native of Carrollton, Texas, is a team captain, held in high esteem at Purdue and the Greater Lafayette community for his citizenship and unselfishness. He has volunteered for seven mission trips to South Africa with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
The other two finalists are Kansas State senior offensive lineman Dalton Risner and Notre Dame senior linebacker Drue Tranquill.
"Once again, I'm just amazed as I look at this year's finalists," said Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Florida and the award namesake. "All these young men are truly incredible, the work that they do in their communities is beyond belief, and I am truly honored to have them representing the Wuerffel Trophy."
Blough is enjoying his best season as a Boilermaker, having completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 3,211 yards with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He ranks second in the Big Ten Conference with an average of 291.9 passing yards per game and third with a 149.8 passing efficiency mark. On Sept. 15, against Missouri, Blough set the Purdue game passing yards record (572) and the Big Ten game total offense mark (590). In the Boilermakers' 49-20 win over second-ranked and undefeated Ohio State on Oct. 20, Blough completed 25 of 43 passes for 378 yards with three touchdowns.
Blough was enjoying a solid 2017 season when it came to a crashing halt Nov. 4, the result of a horrific right ankle dislocation. The consummate team player, he was captured giving a thumbs up to his teammates, coaches and fans while being placed in an ambulance. Blough vowed to return, better than ever, and be ready for spring practice this season. To the surprise of no one, he did just that.
On the Purdue career lists, Blough currently ranks third in passing attempts (1,357) and completions (822); fourth in completion percentage (.606), passing touchdowns (66) and total offense (9,501); and fifth in passing yards (9,240). He is tied for fifth among signal-callers with 12 rushing touchdowns. Blough has started 34 games at quarterback, tied for the fourth-most in school annals.
Blough is pursuing a master's degree in health and kinesiology after earning his bachelor's in organizational leadership.
Voting for the Wuerffel Trophy is performed by a national selection committee that includes college football television and print media, industry notables, former head coaches and prior Wuerffel Trophy recipients. The winner is scheduled to be announced Dec. 4 and will be invited to attend the Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on Dec. 6 in Atlanta. The presentation of the 2018 Wuerffel Trophy will take place at the 50th-annual All Sports Association Awards Banquet on Feb. 15, 2019, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Blough is the epitome of a student-athlete and citizen. The native of Carrollton, Texas, is a team captain, held in high esteem at Purdue and the Greater Lafayette community for his citizenship and unselfishness. He has volunteered for seven mission trips to South Africa with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
The other two finalists are Kansas State senior offensive lineman Dalton Risner and Notre Dame senior linebacker Drue Tranquill.
"Once again, I'm just amazed as I look at this year's finalists," said Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Florida and the award namesake. "All these young men are truly incredible, the work that they do in their communities is beyond belief, and I am truly honored to have them representing the Wuerffel Trophy."
Blough is enjoying his best season as a Boilermaker, having completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 3,211 yards with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He ranks second in the Big Ten Conference with an average of 291.9 passing yards per game and third with a 149.8 passing efficiency mark. On Sept. 15, against Missouri, Blough set the Purdue game passing yards record (572) and the Big Ten game total offense mark (590). In the Boilermakers' 49-20 win over second-ranked and undefeated Ohio State on Oct. 20, Blough completed 25 of 43 passes for 378 yards with three touchdowns.
Blough was enjoying a solid 2017 season when it came to a crashing halt Nov. 4, the result of a horrific right ankle dislocation. The consummate team player, he was captured giving a thumbs up to his teammates, coaches and fans while being placed in an ambulance. Blough vowed to return, better than ever, and be ready for spring practice this season. To the surprise of no one, he did just that.
On the Purdue career lists, Blough currently ranks third in passing attempts (1,357) and completions (822); fourth in completion percentage (.606), passing touchdowns (66) and total offense (9,501); and fifth in passing yards (9,240). He is tied for fifth among signal-callers with 12 rushing touchdowns. Blough has started 34 games at quarterback, tied for the fourth-most in school annals.
Blough is pursuing a master's degree in health and kinesiology after earning his bachelor's in organizational leadership.
Voting for the Wuerffel Trophy is performed by a national selection committee that includes college football television and print media, industry notables, former head coaches and prior Wuerffel Trophy recipients. The winner is scheduled to be announced Dec. 4 and will be invited to attend the Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on Dec. 6 in Atlanta. The presentation of the 2018 Wuerffel Trophy will take place at the 50th-annual All Sports Association Awards Banquet on Feb. 15, 2019, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.