ATLANTA -- Georgia State's passing combination of quarterback Dan Ellington and wide receiver Sam Pinckney have earned mid-season honors as the Panthers are off to a 5-2 start, GSU's best as an FBS program.

Ellington, the senior signal-caller from Olive Branch, Miss., has been added to the Watch List for the Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl. 

The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting. Finalists for the award will be determined by a selected panel of national media covering college football, as well as each of the Mannings and released on Thursday, Dec. 5. The Manning Award winner is scheduled to be announced following the College Football Playoff National Championship in New Orleans on Jan. 13.

Ellington leads the Sun Belt Conference with 294.6 yards of total offense per game (No. 13 FBS) and 16 touchdown passes (No. 14 FBS) while ranking second in the Sun Belt in passing (226.0 ypg).

He has thrown for 1,582 yards while completing 66 percent of his passes, and he has rushed for 480 yards and two touchdowns.

Ellington is a two-time Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week, and after he tossed a school-record five touchdown passes against Furman, he was recognized as a Manning Quarterback of the Week.

Pinckney, the redshirt freshman from Greenwood, S.C., has been named to the Midseason Watch List for the FWAA Freshman All-American Team.

Pinckney is the Panthers' second-leading receiver with 30 catches for 389 yards. He caught two touchdown passes in last Saturday's win over Army, giving him five on the season.

Pinckney is one of just two freshman receivers in the nation with five touchdown catches.

Georgia State (5-2, 2-1 Sun Belt) hosts Troy Saturday at 7 p.m. at Georgia State Stadium. For tickets, visit GeorgiaStateSports.com/tix or call 404-413-4020.