The Buzz: Heisman news and views
The 2015 Heisman race now enters its eighth week. Continuing our traditional weekly feature on Heisman.com, we’ve rounded up the latest news and updates from around the media world to help keep you posted on what’s happening with current contenders and past winners.
(Disclaimer — The Heisman Trophy Trust and Heisman.com does not endorse any college football player for the Heisman Memorial Trophy. The information contained here serves as a platform of information for fans and media, and is not intended to contain a definitive and comprehensive list of possible contenders.)
The Buzz…
Heisman Watch Watch
LSU running back Leonard Fournette continues to get the most mention in the various Heisman watches and opinion pieces. The sophomore, coming off a 150-yard effort against Western Kentucky leads with Sports Illustrated and Fox Sports … Chuck Culpepper of the Washington Post has Fournette on top as well, but wrote this story on the emergence of Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey and how his presence on the West Coast might affect his Heisman chances … The Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes that Trevone Boykin and Josh Doctson are helping each other’s Heisman chances … Saturday Blitz wrote that Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook played like a Heisman candidateagainst Indiana … Can Dak Prescott enter the Heisman race? asks the Mississippi State student paper … Don’t leave out Greg Ward, Jr., of Houston, says the Examiner … Clemson’s DeShaun Watson is a new member of the Sports Illustrated Heisman watch … Baylor WR Corey Coleman and Memphis QB Paxton Lynch made it onto the Fox Sports Heisman list.
Injury Watch
Baylor quarterback Seth Russel l, the nation’s leader in passing efficiency (189.72) and touchdown passes (29), fractured a bone in his neck against Iowa State and his status is in question going forward. Here’s wishing Seth a speedy recovery. UPDATE: Russell is out for the season.
Archie Speaks
Fournette got the endorsement of two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin, who notes that running backs endure the wear and tear that most other players do not.
“To me, that makes a better argument for the running back because he’s got to carry the ball that many times and still stay healthy and contribute the way he needs to in order for the team to be successful,” Griffin said.
Griffin also believes this is the year the pendulum in the Heisman race swings from quarterbacks back to running backs, where it was during Griffin’s heyday.
“This year is special because you have these truly outstanding backs that are gaining over 200 yards and carrying the load a tremendous amount for their team,” he said, adding “football will continue to be that way. It’s a good thing and it keeps the game interesting.”
NFL Heisman Update
Another Heisman vs. Heisman matchup in week 7 featured Sam Bradford and the Eagles taking on Cam Newton and the Panthers. The 2010 Heisman winner got the better of the 2008 winner, throwing for 197 yards and a touchdown, with another 20 yards and a score coming on the ground, as Carolina beat Philadelphia, 27-16. Bradford threw for 205 yards but did not have a touchdown pass.
* Marcus Mariota sat out this past week’s game following a sprain to his MCL that occurred last week against the Falcons. Atlanta defensive end Olivier Vernon was fined $37,363 by the league for a couple illegal hits against the 2014 Heisman winner.
* Mark Ingram rushed for 143 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries as the Saints beat the Colts, 27-21.
* Jameis Winston had his best game as a pro, completing 21 of 29 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns, but the Bucaneers lost, 31-30, to the Redskins.
* Charles Woodson had three tackles as Oakland beat San Diego, 37-29.
* Johnny Manziel was 4 of 5 for 27 yards in Cleveland’s 24-6 loss to St. Louis.
* Carson Palmer and the Cardinals take on the Ravens on Monday Night Football.
Odds and Ends
Notre Dame’s 1956 Heisman winner Paul Hornung visited the Glenbrook Mall in Fort Wayne, Ind., this past Saturday. Hornung gave an update on his latest happenings:
Heisman runner up Chuck Long recounted Iowa’s magical 1985 season to the Iowa City Gazette. Long finished second to Bo Jackson in what was, at the time, the closest vote in Heisman history … Tim Tebow stopped by Alabama basketball practice and hit all kinds of shots, including a half courter. Have a look:
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Heisman thespian update
NFL player and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George will make his Broadway debut in the long-running, Tony-winning revival of Chicago in 2016. George will step into the role of Billy Flynn beginning Jan. 11, 2016, for a seven-week limited engagement at the Ambassador Theatre through Feb. 28.
George will be making his Broadway debut following stage appearances in Matthew Lopez’s The Whipping Man, Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog and in the title roles of both Othello and Julius Caesar at the Nashville Shakespeare Festival.
Here is Eddie’s talking about his acting career:
