University of Massachusets Athletics
Frohnapfel Named Recipient of 76th Annual Bulger Lowe Award
November 24, 2014 | Football
After posting one of the finest seasons in UMass football history at the quarterback position, Blake Frohnapfel was named the recipient of the 76th annual George H. "Bulger" Lowe Award presented by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston on Monday. The award honors the best offensive and defensive players in New England (Harvard defensive end Zach Hodges was the defensive honoree). Know as "New England's Heisman Trophy" the Bulger Lowe award is one of the oldest honors in American college football history.
Frohnapfel will be honored during the Gridiron Club's annual Bob Whelan College Football Awards Night on Thursday, December 18 at the Marriott Hotel in Burlington, Mass.
This marks the seventh time overall that a Minuteman has been honored with the Bulger Lowe Award. The last time a UMass player earned the honor was Koyle Ayi in 2000. The last offensive player to earn the award was Rene Ingoglia in 1995. Additionally, he is the fourth quarterback to earn the distinction joining all-time greats Dave Palazzi, Greg Landry and Jerry Whelchel.
Prior to missing the Akron game due to injury, Frohnapfel was on pace to have one of the greatest single-seasons at UMass for any quarterback. On the year, the native of Stafford, Va., has thrown for 3,345 yard with 23 touchdowns. He ranks 2nd for a single-season in passing yards and is tied for sixth in passing touchdowns.
Frohnapfel currently ranks sixth nationally in passing yards, fourth nationally in passing yards per game (334.5) and 16th in passing touchdowns. He leads the MAC in passing yards and passing yards per game as well.
The graduate student who has one year remaining at UMass, jumped out on the national stage in the game against Bowling Green where he threw for 589 yards and five touchdowns. He tied the UMass school record for touchdown passes and set a UMass and MAC single-game record for passing yards. The 589 yards were the 20th-best single-game performance in the history of the NCAA and stand as the fourth most in a single-game this season among FBS quarterbacks.
Preview UMass Recipients:
Kole Ayi - 2000 - Defense
Khari Samuel - 1998 - Defense
Rene Ingoglia - 1995 - Offense
Dave Palazzi - 1988 - Offense
Garry Pearson - 1982 - Offense
Greg Landry - 1967
Jerry Whelchel - 1964
• award was given to an offensive & defensive player beginning in 1982
Awards Banquet Information:
Thursday, December 18, 2014 at Burlington Marriott Hotel.
Tickets are $60 each or $600 for a table of ten.
Order online at www.gridclubofgreaterboston.com,
or call club secretary Dick Lawrence at (781) 929-3650.
Social hour 6:00 p.m., dinner at 7:00.
About the Gridiron Club, "Keepers of the Flame"
Founded in 1932, the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston (www.gridclubofgreaterboston.com) promotes the game of football at all levels and nurtures the ideals of citizenship, sportsmanship, leadership, and athletic and academic achievement. Through its annual dinners and golf tournament, the club carries on its tradition of honoring exemplary players, coaches and officials at all levels of the sport, and supporting worthy charitable causes, especially those that assist children.
