John Alan Richter earned three awards this week for his record-setting day against Temple.
Photo by: ©2025 The University of Toledo
John Alan Richter named Davey O'Brien Great 8, Manning Star of the Week
9/21/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
Toledo QB set career highs in completions, yards and touchdowns
TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo quarterback John Alan Richter has been named to the Davey O'Brien Great 8 team and a Manning Star of the Week after his record-setting day in Toledo's comeback victory over Temple on Saturday.Â
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The Davey O'Brien Great 8 are the national quarterback of the week finalists. The winner will be revealed on Tuesday. The Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, included Richter among its eight Stars of the Week.
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Richter also earned Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors after completing 36 of 51 passes for 429 yards and four touchdowns – all career highs. It was just the fourth time in program history that a Toledo quarterback has thrown for at least 425 yards and four touchdowns in a game.
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Richter saved his best work for the final moments.
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Trailing Temple by 14 points with just over a minute remaining in regulation, Richter led the Rockets to two touchdowns in an 11-second span to force overtime. The comeback was sparked by a perfectly executed onside kick from kicker Reice Griffith, giving Toledo possession with an opportunity to force overtime
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After recovering the onside kick, Richter needed just two plays to take the Rockets 49 yards – a 26-yard pass to Terrell Crosby Jr. and a 23-yard TD pass to Daryl Barnett Jr.
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Richter connected with tight end Sam Lee for a 24-yard completion on the first play of overtime to set up running back Connor Walendzak's game-winning touchdown. Temple then scored a touchdown, but could not convert the 2-point opportunity.
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During Toledo's final three possessions, Richter was 10-of-15 passing for 151 yards and two touchdowns.Â
The Gray, Ga. native was named to both national weekly quarterback lists for the first time in his career.
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The Rockets (2-1) return to the Glass Bowl on Saturday, hosting San Diego State (1-2) at noon. The game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
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Tickets are available online, by calling or texting 419-530-GOLD (4653), or by visiting the Rocket Ticket Office at the Sullivan Athletic Complex.
About the Davey O'Brien Award
The Davey O'Brien Foundation was created in 1977 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary season this year. The National Quarterback Award, the oldest and most prestigious college quarterback award, was first issued in 1981.
Over its time, the Davey O'Brien Foundation has given away more than $1.4 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life.
In 1938, O'Brien, who wore No. 8 as a star quarterback for TCU, became the first player ever to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award in the same year. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.
About the Manning Award
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The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in 2004 to honor the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting.
Â
Since the Manning Award started recognizing Stars of the Week in 2011, 615 different quarterbacks from 138 schools have been recognized.
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The Davey O'Brien Great 8 are the national quarterback of the week finalists. The winner will be revealed on Tuesday. The Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, included Richter among its eight Stars of the Week.
Â
Richter also earned Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors after completing 36 of 51 passes for 429 yards and four touchdowns – all career highs. It was just the fourth time in program history that a Toledo quarterback has thrown for at least 425 yards and four touchdowns in a game.
Â
Richter saved his best work for the final moments.
Â
Trailing Temple by 14 points with just over a minute remaining in regulation, Richter led the Rockets to two touchdowns in an 11-second span to force overtime. The comeback was sparked by a perfectly executed onside kick from kicker Reice Griffith, giving Toledo possession with an opportunity to force overtime
Â
After recovering the onside kick, Richter needed just two plays to take the Rockets 49 yards – a 26-yard pass to Terrell Crosby Jr. and a 23-yard TD pass to Daryl Barnett Jr.
Â
Richter connected with tight end Sam Lee for a 24-yard completion on the first play of overtime to set up running back Connor Walendzak's game-winning touchdown. Temple then scored a touchdown, but could not convert the 2-point opportunity.
Â
During Toledo's final three possessions, Richter was 10-of-15 passing for 151 yards and two touchdowns.Â
The Gray, Ga. native was named to both national weekly quarterback lists for the first time in his career.
Â
The Rockets (2-1) return to the Glass Bowl on Saturday, hosting San Diego State (1-2) at noon. The game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
Â
Tickets are available online, by calling or texting 419-530-GOLD (4653), or by visiting the Rocket Ticket Office at the Sullivan Athletic Complex.
About the Davey O'Brien Award
The Davey O'Brien Foundation was created in 1977 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary season this year. The National Quarterback Award, the oldest and most prestigious college quarterback award, was first issued in 1981.
Over its time, the Davey O'Brien Foundation has given away more than $1.4 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life.
In 1938, O'Brien, who wore No. 8 as a star quarterback for TCU, became the first player ever to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award in the same year. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.
About the Manning Award
Â
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in 2004 to honor the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting.
Â
Since the Manning Award started recognizing Stars of the Week in 2011, 615 different quarterbacks from 138 schools have been recognized.
Players Mentioned
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