Hall of Fame
DAVE MANNING
Hometown: Bakersfield, Calif.
Sport: Football
Years: 1972-73
Regarded as one of the best interior linemen in Utah State football history, Dave Manning was a quick and aggressive offensive guard who earned second-team All-American honors from The Associated Press following his senior season in 1973, one of just five offensive linemen in school history to be honored as such. During his two-year Utah State career, Manning helped the Aggies to a 16-6 record and claimed the Beehive Boot (the state's collegiate football championship trophy) in both 1972 and 1973 as USU posted consecutive wins against BYU. As an Aggie, Manning blocked for three of the most explosive offensive players in school history in quarterback Tony Adams, wide receiver Tom Forzani and running back Louie Giammona. Adams threw for then-school records of 2,797 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Forzani produced then-school records with 85 receptions for 1,169 yards in 1972, while Giammona rushed for over 500 yards as a sophomore in 1973. While at Utah State, Manning served as his team's co-captain in 1973 and was awarded the Wayne Estes Memorial Award in 1974, honoring the most outstanding senior athlete. Manning transferred to Utah State form Bakersfield Junior College, where he also earned All-American honors. He was inducted into the Bakersfield College Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
