Kansas State senior quarterback Jake Waters garnered his fourth major college football award watch list honor Thursday as he was named a candidate for the Manning Award, the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced.

Waters, one of 32 quarterbacks nationally and one of four from the Big 12, is up for the award given to the nation’s best quarterback following postseason play as it is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates’ bowl performances in the balloting. The Council Bluffs, Iowa, native is the second K-State candidate for the award after Collin Klein was one of 10 finalists in 2012.

A community-college transfer prior to the 2013 season, Waters threw for 2,469 yards and 18 touchdowns on 159-of-260 (61.2 percent) aim in his initial season in Manhattan. His yardage total ranks 10th in school history for a single-season, while he ranks fifth in K-State history in yards per game (189.9). Waters’ accuracy throughout the season also ranked him fifth in school history in completion percentage and third in passing efficiency (156.8). He begins his senior campaign with the school’s top career passing efficiency rating.

K-State’s 6-1 record over the final seven games of the season had much to do with the production of Waters as he averaged 204.7 yards per game with 14 touchdowns and only four interceptions during that stretch after throwing for 172.7 yards per game with four scores and five picks during the first six games.

The Wildcats host Fan Appreciation Day presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors on Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. Fans can watch the final hour of practice prior to head coach Bill Snyder and the 2014 team captains addressing the crowd at 6 p.m., while a one-hour autograph session will be held on the field.

Kansas State opens the 2014 season against Stephen F. Austin on August 30, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

— KSU Sports Information —