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Florida football: Why Kyle Trask should be a Manning contender

By Matthew Clark

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 30: Kyle Trask #11 of the Florida Gators passes during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 30: Kyle Trask #11 of the Florida Gators passes during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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The Allstate Sugar Bowl has named Florida football quarterback Kyle Trask as one of its 12 finalists for the Manning Award.

The collective gasps heard across Gator Nation that fateful Saturday in Lexington meant certain doom for Florida football.

That was the night quarterback Feleipe Franks suffered a dislocated ankle and backup quarterback Kyle Trask would step on the field.

Those gasps got deeper considering the Gators were trotting out a quarterback who had not started a game since his freshman year — of high school.

But, nine games later, Trask is the toast of Gainesville and Florida football after leading the Gators to a 10-2 overall record a top-10 national ranking and being on the verge of a New Year’s 6 bowl game.

You can add one more honor to the list as Trask was named one of 12 finalists for the 2019 Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

The award is reserved for quarterbacks and is given out after the bowl season is complete. It’s named for Archie Manning and his sons, Eli Manning and Peyton Manning.

While it’s all well and good, there is a case to be made for Trask actually winning this award.

Over the course of the season — in just the nine games he did play in — Trask accumulated 2,636 yards passing, 24 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also passed for 300 yards or more on three different occasions — Tim Tebow did it last for Florida football back in 2007.

The fact that Trask played so well that Franks elected not to return to Florida football so he could pursue starting either in the NFL or elsewhere is telling.

But, more importantly, awards have to be based on more than just numbers. They have to factor in how a player impacts their team overall.

Trask is the only backup quarterback on the list — which includes LSU’s Joe Burrow, Georgia’s Jake Fromm and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa.

The fact he came in under the circumstances he did, warrants him being in the discussion. Factor in what he has done for Florida football on the field and that elevates the discussion higher.

Next. There's a case for Feleipe Franks to transfer to Kansas. dark

Win or lose out on the Manning, Trask has set the stage for an exciting bowl game — where ever it might be — and a strong outlook to 2020.

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