MIAMI LAKES, FL. (www.orangebowl.org) – Oregon State’s Jake Luton is this week’s nominee for the 2019 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Luton, a sixth-year senior, has overcome a neck injury, an ankle injury and a concussion that collectively shortened his 2017 and 2018 seasons. Luton tallied six total touchdowns in the Beavers’ 48-31 win Saturday at UCLA.
“I’m just trying to stay healthy and just trying to be consistent throughout the year. I’m not trying to light up any record books or anything like that,” Luton told the Associated Press before this season. “I want to put the team in position to win games and make sure I’m on the field. If I can do those two things I think we’ll have a good year.”
Luton was diagnosed with a thoracic spine fracture in 2017 after being carted off the field in the Beavers’ fourth game of the season, against Washington State. He returned for 2018 but ended up playing in just eight games as he suffered a concussion in the opener at Ohio State and a high ankle sprain in Week 3 at Nevada.
The 6-foot-7, 229-pound signal caller was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA and has taken full advantage of it this season, completing 62 percent of his passes for 1,297 yards and 14 touchdowns with zero interceptions for 2-3 Oregon State.
Luton, a Marysville, Wash., native, initially spent two years at Idaho before transferring to Ventura Community College. He is in his third year in Corvallis, Ore., where he has started 14 career games.
The Courage Award was first presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in 2002. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship. The winner of the award will be included in festivities during Capital One Orange Bowl week and receive his trophy at an on-field presentation.
Previous winners of the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award:
2018 Kyle Richard – SUNY Cortland 2009 University of Connecticut Football Team
2017 D’Cota Dixon – Wisconsin 2008 Wilson Holloway – Tulsa
2016 James Conner – Pittsburgh 2007 Zerbin Singleton – Navy
2015 Hunter Knighton – Miami 2006 Ray Ray McElrathbey – Clemson
2014 Laken Tomlinson – Duke 2005 Tulane Football Team
2013 Anthony Larceval – San Jose State 2004 Haracia Colen – Memphis
2012 Daniel Rodriguez – Clemson 2003 Neil Parry – San Jose State
2011 Arthur Ray – Michigan State 2002 William Bratton – Toledo
2010 Eric LeGrand – Rutgers
2019 Courage Award Nominees:
About the Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl is a 360-member, primarily volunteer non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community. With its primary mission since being created in 1935 to bring tourism to South Florida through an annual football game and events, it has also maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach. Orange Bowl community outreach efforts are comprised of four pillars: youth sports, fundraising and community events, academic programs and scholarships, and legacy gifts. The Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the Capital One Orange Bowl on Monday, December 30, 2019. For more information on the 2019-2020 Orange Bowl events, including promotional and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program presented by Panera Bread, log on to www.orangebowl.org or follow the @OrangeBowl on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
