Posted on 12/10/2005 3:19:08 PM PST by NormsRevenge
NEW YORK - From John Cappelletti to Mike Rozier, running backs once walked off with 11 consecutive Heisman Trophies. Recently, though, quarterbacks have been too tough to pass up. The last five Heisman winners have been QBs.
Reggie Bush is a good bet to snap that streak Saturday night and become the 41st ball carrier to tuck away college football's most prestigious individual award since Chicago halfback Jay Berwanger won the first in 1935.
USC's untouchable tailback is the favorite after capping a brilliant junior season with two breathtaking performances and an outrageous average of 8.9 yards a carry.
"That's crazy. That's ludicrous," said Tony Dorsett, the 1976 Heisman winner from Pittsburgh. "It is just unheard of. Reggie's a game-breaker, a big-game player. That's all you need to say."
Guess where Dorsett's vote is going?
Bush will be joined by Texas quarterback Vince Young and USC quarterback Matt Leinart in midtown Manhattan when the Heisman is handed out for the 71st time.
The three finalists have been the favorites even before the season started.
Leinart, last year's Heisman winner, became a contender to repeat as soon as he decided to bypass the chance for NFL millions and return for his senior season. The left-hander has thrown for 3,450 yards and 27 touchdowns this season, improving to 37-1 as a starter for the top-ranked Trojans.
If Leinart wins the Heisman, he'll join Archie Griffin as the only players to win the award twice. The Ohio State running back did it in 1974 and '75.
As a past winner, Leinart gets to cast a ballot.
"Reggie's got my vote," Leinart said after Bush ran for 260 yards and two touchdowns in the Trojans' 66-19 victory over UCLA that wrapped up a perfect regular season.
If Bush wins the award, he and Leinart will become the third set of teammates to win the award in consecutive years.
The last were Army's famous Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside, Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis, in 1945-46.
And the two USC stars could become the first Heisman winners to play together in a college game when USC (12-0) meets No. 2 Texas (12-0) in the Rose Bowl for the national title on Jan. 4.
Or if Young wins, the national title game will be a matchup of Heisman winners for the second straight year — and the second time ever.
Last season after Leinart won the award, USC played Oklahoma and 2004 Heisman winner Jason White in the Orange Bowl, marking the first Heisman showdown in college football.
Young has always been one of the most dangerous runners in the country — he showed that in last year's Rose Bowl, scoring four touchdowns on the ground against Michigan — but this season he's developed into a topflight passer. The junior leads the nation is passing efficiency at 168.6 with 26 touchdown passes.
He would be Texas' third Heisman winner. The first two were running backs. Ricky Williams won it in 1998 and Earl Campbell ('77) was part of that long run of Heisman running backs, starting in 1973 with Penn State fullback Cappelletti and ending with Nebraska I-back Rozier.
In between, USC cemented its reputation as tailback U. with Charles White ('79) and Marcus Allen ('81) joining O.J. Simpson ('68) and Mike Garrett ('65) as Heisman winners.
USC has gotten back in the Heisman-winning business in recent years with quarterbacks. Carson Palmer took the award in 2002, then Leinart last season.
With six Heisman winners, the Trojans trail only Notre Dame, which has seven.
Bush and Young seemed neck and neck in the Heisman race for most of the season, then Bush put a season's worth of highlights together in one game against Fresno State on Nov. 19. He gained 513 all-purpose yards, helping USC escape with a 50-42 victory.
As with Leinart, Bush is being touted as a possible No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, even with a year of college eligibility left.
Bush has said he'll decide whether to go pro after the Rose Bowl.
"Right now, college football is fun," Bush said. "It's everything I ever dreamed up. You only go to college once."
AD ripped the hearts out of Notre Dame that wonderful day. I was having an adult beverage in a bar full of ND fans and made a fist full of $$ by betting on the Trojans at half time.
I also was at the game in 1964 that we beat the #1 rated Irish right at the end of the game. Nother wonderful day.
But this year was the best of the best, the Irish will NEVER get over that game.Poor babies.
All right. I enjoy a good debate. Just watch the personal stuff.
Sounds like you've had a lot of great memories. I hope you get another one this Rose Bowl. I want my Bulldogs to look really good in comparison to the Short Horns.
Best game of the year, easily. I just hope I can catch it again when it's on ESPN Classic. They'll probably play the best USC and Texas games leading up to the Rose Bowl.
What 25 years of choking are you talkingt about at USC? USC has seven Heisman winners since 1963 and so many national championships I can`t count them all. Try thinking before you post
Don't forget Fresno State-USC.
Fresno State certainly made it interesting. Very good game. The A&M/Texas game was also a white knuckle ride.
I'm in Texas but I am anti-UT. I have great respect for Vince Young and the team, but I honestly could not stand to listen to all the UT alumns if the Longhorns win the Championship. They're bad enough as it is. Plus, I really would like to see USC complete the drive to history. USC's my team in this game (not to mention, I will much $ from the UT fans with whom I made bets).
I was more afraid of the Fresno St. game then the ND game. Pat Hill has got a great program going in the Valley. They gave SC all the could handle and, after seeing them play, can understand why Auburn and others have ducked them.
They hadnt won a title since 78 before 2003. They have won 7 National Titles since 1950 and a total of 9 overall. 6 since 1963. Texas in comparison has won 5 overall and only 4 since 1950, all during the 60's.
6 national titles isnt that hard to count is it? So try thinking before you post.
Who are you babbling about? USC`s first NC since the thirties was McKays 1962 team.
1963 is for the 1962 team. Wow.
Yes, it was.
I think his diamond earrings might be larger than LT's...lol.
Whatever do you mean?
"The worst fans, at least in the Big 12, are from Texas Tech."
That is a ridiculous assertion. Back it up with evidence, please. Texas A&M fans are reputed to be the sorriest bunch in the Big 12.
Pinging "hispana republicana" too; she knows more about Red Raider football than I do.
In any case, the most knowledgeable and passionate fans are from the SEC.
Whatever do you mean?
It's an expression. Back in the day it was "faked out of his jockstrap". Now, because Bush puts on such incredible juke moves on a tackler, the tackler will sometimes fall looking like they broke their ankle.
look at his profile. 'nuff said.
"worst" because they always lose in the Jones.
Sorry, it was the 1962 season, they played in the 63 Rose Bowl against Wisc. and won.
Reggie's the man! Fight on!
Thank you!
And GOOD to see you, my dear FRiend.
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