Air Armanti
Armanti Edwards, renowned as a great runner, has perhaps become an even better passer as his career has progressed.
Consider these statistics:
>His best two seasons running the football were in 2006 and 2007. His best two seasons passing are 2008 and 2009.
>Rushing yards in his first two seasons: 2,741 (6.5 per carry). His last two: 1,516 (5.3 per carry).
>Passing yards in his first two seasons: 4,199 (8.5 per attempt). His last two: 5,406 (9.5 per attempt).
One of the most significant figures in regard to Edwards’ passing proficiency is the reduction of interceptions. He dropped the total from 17 in 496 attempts his first two seasons to 12 in 567 attempts the last two (and the reduction would have been more dramatic if not for a five-interception game against Richmond last season, when Edwards was playing with knee and hip injuries).
Edwards had just two interceptions during the regular season last year. He has just three this year. Over the last two years, Edwards has had strings of 176 and 141 consecutive attempts without an interception.
And perhaps the most impressive fact is that Edwards ranks No. 1 among all Football Championship Subdivision players this season with a completion percentage of .724.
Edwards has been on the money.
“We had a play last year against us where he’s throwing off his back foot and he hums it 65 yards and drops it down a stovepipe into the receiver’s hands, and we’ve got him bracketed.” Coach Mike Ayers of Wofford said earlier this season.
Coach Jerry Moore of the Mountaineers said: “I think everybody got caught up in his running ability and ability to escape, they get caught up in the running part, but he’s always thrown the ball well. He threw the ball well in two-a-day camp coming in as a freshman.”
Now he throws it even better.
NOTE: For more on Edwards and his career, see Friday’s Winston-Salem Journal.