December 18, 1998

The American Sports Wire today announced that Villanova University junior quarterback Chris Boden is the recipient of the 1998 Ernie Davis Award which is named after the former Syracuse University great and 1961 Heisman Trophy winner.

Boden, a native of San Clemente, Calif, tallied 135 points to outdistance Howard quarterback Ted White who registered 95 points and Florida A&M place kicker Juan Torro who recorded 85 points.

"Chris Boden is the most prolific quarterback in Villanova football history. There is no better role model that I can think of than Chris," said Villanova head football coach Andy Talley. "I know Ernie Davis would be proud of this selection."

This past season, Boden completed 262-of-453 for 3,050 yards and 31 touchdown passes. This was the second straight season that he has eclipsed the 3,000-yard single season passing mark. Before Boden accomplished this in 1997, no Wildcat signal caller had ever accomplished this feat. In 11 games in 1998, Boden registered four 300-yard passing games and nine 200-yard passing games. For his career, Boden has thrown for 300+ yards on 10 different occasions.

Besides setting a school record for total offensive yards in a game with 413 versus Delaware this past year, Boden also established a Villanova school record for career touchdowns passes with 75.

In 30 career games, the 6-2, 215 pound Boden has completed 574-of-938 for 7,088 yards. He also has an exceptional touchdown to interception ratio with 75 scoring strikes and just 17 interceptions. Boden has thrown a touchdown pass in 24-straight games and he has tossed three or more scoring strikes in 12 of the 24 games he has started.

A Liberal Arts major, Boden is the older of two sons of Stephen and Linn Boden.