BYU quarterback Tanner Mangum named Freshman of the Year

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Tanner Mangum passes the ball in the one-point loss to UCLA. (Associated Press)
Tanner Mangum passes the ball in the game against UCLA on Sept. 9, 2015. Mangum was named the 2015 Freshman of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Columbus on Dec. 3. (Associated Press)

BYU football quarterback Tanner Mangum was named the 2015 Freshman of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Columbus.

“It is a real honor to be recognized by the Touchdown Club of Columbus,” Mangum said in a press release. “It’s a privilege to be mentioned among the past recipients of this award. I’m grateful to be a part of this team. We’ve had a great year and my teammates have made amazing plays all year long.”

In his first season at BYU the Eagle, Idaho, native became the first Cougar freshman to throw for more than 3,000 yards. Additionally he broke numerous freshman school records including passing yards, completions, touchdown passes and wins as a starter.

Mangum led the Cougars to a 9-3 record for regular season play and ended with 3,062 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. He is one of only two true freshmen quarterbacks in the FBS to hit 3,000 passing yards this year.

The 6-foot-3-inch, 210-pound freshman ended his first two games for the Cougars with Hail Mary passes in the final seconds.

First, he completed one of the most memorable moments of the season in his first game at Nebraska. Mangum came in for senior quarterback Taysom Hill after an injury to Hill’s foot and completed a 42-yard Hail Mary in the final seconds of the game to defeat Nebraska 33-28.

The following week in his first week as a starter, Mangum completed 35-yard, game-winning Hail Mary against Boise, leading the Cougars to a 35-24 win.

“I really liked the resiliency of Tanner Mangum,” BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said following the Boise win. “For his first start to beat a team like that in a home crowd after a Hail Mary a week ago, I don’t know where you go from there. I’m really proud of him.”

Mangum will be presented the award on Feb. 6, 2015.

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