The Big Ten has its first major national award winner for 2010.

Wisconsin's Scott Tolzien has won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the nation's top senior quarterback.

Tolzien led Wisconsin to its first Big Ten title and its first Rose Bowl appearance in 11 years. While Wisconsin's running backs and offensive linemen get most of the attention, Tolzien's pocket presence took the Badgers' offense to another level this fall.

He led the nation in completion percentage (74.3) and ranked fourth nationally in quarterback rating (169.8). Tolzien holds team records for career completion percentage (68.5) and career pass efficiency (154.4). Not bad for a guy considered an afterthought in the quarterback competition last spring.

"Scott Tolzien personifies everything that my father stood for. He is not simply an outstanding quarterback, but an outstanding individual who is a leader both on and off the field, tirelessly devoting himself to his team, to his community, and to being a mentor for others,"John C. Unitas, Jr., president of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, said in a statement.

Tolzien was a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the league's coaches.