Will Levis wins Manning Award Quarterback of the Week

The Big Blue Nation helped its new quarterback earn one of the top weekly honors in college football. Will Levis won The Manning Award Quarterback of the Week, beating out seven other candidates in the Allstate Sugar Bowl’s Facebook fan vote.

.@UKFootball fans are very happy with the performance of their new QB! His outstanding debut for the Wildcats & strong fan support have launched @will_levis to the #ManningAward QB of the Week honor for Week One. https://t.co/Gj92krx1K1 pic.twitter.com/CHYZJGDEEp

— Allstate Sugar Bowl (@SugarBowlNola) September 9, 2021

Also up for the award were Bryce Young, Alabama; Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland; C.J. Stroud, Ohio State; Will Rogers, Mississippi State; Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati; Chris Reynolds, Charlotte; and Jack Coan, Notre Dame. To vote, fans had to like the Allstate Sugar Bowl Facebook page and like the photo of their quarterback. Cincinnati’s Desmond Rider and Mississippi State’s Will Rogers finished second and third in the fan vote.

In Kentucky’s 45-10 win over ULM, Levis completed 18-of-26 passes for 367 yards and four touchdowns with one interception in just over three quarters of play. The junior connected with ten different receivers, most frequently Josh Ali and Wan’dale Robinson, who both broke the 100-yard receiving mark. Ali pulled in five catches for 136 yards and one touchdown while Robinson had five catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

Ali and Robinson combined to be the first pair of UK targets to each go over 100 receiving yards in the same game since Matt Roark (116) and La’Rod King (102) did so against Ole Miss on Nov. 5. 2011. Levis’ 367 passing yards are the most by a Kentucky player since Patrick Towles had 390 in 2014 against Mississippi State.

National praise for Will Levis

Levis’ impressive debut did not go unnoticed. Pro Football Focus gave him a 91.5 passing grade vs. ULM, the highest Week 1 passing grade by an SEC quarterback since 2014. Levis’ total offense grade of 92.0 was the third-highest among Power Five quarterbacks in Week 1.

Highest-graded Power Five QBs in Week 1:

1. Cade McNamara, Michigan – 93.0
2. Adrian Martinez, Nebraska – 92.3
3. Will Levis, Kentucky – 92.0
4. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh – 91.2
5. Bo Nix, Auburn – 90.1 pic.twitter.com/eeOKvTI1lq

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 5, 2021

SEC Network’s Cole Cubelic believes Levis “changes everything” for Kentucky this season.

KENTUCKY: Levis changes everything with his ability to push ball downfield. 1 must stay healthy. Run game still solid. OL played well. Play action will allow QB to flourish, fits him best. Defense dominant vs a tough scheme. Still need to clean up flags/turnovers. Big one next.

— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) September 5, 2021

Tim Brando went as far as to say Levis could have a “Joe Burrow effect” on Kentucky this season.

Love this kid! Saw him as a backup to Clifford @PennStateFball he has a chance to dare I say have a Burrow affect on @UKFootball an incredibly gifted athlete that’s only needed reps to get better. I’ve got the Wildcats finishing 2nd in the @SEC East. https://t.co/4Kevn4LdqJ

— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) September 6, 2021

Hopefully the first of many honors for Levis.