The Buzz: Heisman news and views
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 Heisman contenders and past winners.
The Buzz…
Everyone is talking about the big day had this past Saturday by Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon. The junior running back rushed for an FBS-record 408 yards on just 25 carries (while playing just three quarters) in the Badgers’ 52-17 victory over Nebraska. Gordon leads the nation in rushing with an average of nearly 191 yards per game and he’s averaging an eye-popping 8.56 yards per carry.
“I think he’s the best of the best,” Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen said. “And he proved it on the national stage when he was given the opportunity. There’s some great players out there … and the decision is going to be made by other people. But if I made that decision, it’s going to this guy right here.
Will we see Mr. Gordon in New York? That’s up to the voters, who will be able to fill out their ballots starting next Monday.
Another Big Ten star also made Heisman waves over the weekend. Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett passed for 200 yards and rushed for 189, while totaling four touchdowns, as the Buckeyes held on against Minnesota, 31-24. Barrett is having an impressive freshman season, with 38 total touchdowns so far. One of those was this 86-yard run, the longest ever by an Ohio State quarterback:
According to ESPN:
Barrett’s 38 touchdowns in his first 10 career games are the most by any player in the past 10 seasons. That total includes Johnny Manziel (33) and Jameis Winston (31), who of course both won the Heisman as redshirt freshmen quarterbacks. And those 38 touchdowns are tied for the most in the country this year with Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, considered by many to be a Heisman front-runner.
Down South, junior quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 82 yards as Mississippi State fell to Alabama, 25-20. His team will get a chance to bounce back strong in a couple weeks when it plays rival Ole Miss.
TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin is aware he’s a Heisman candidate, but the Ft. Worth Star Telegram is reporting that his school isn’t promoting him as such. And that’s just fine with Boykin.
“It’s an inividual award and I’m blessed and honored to be mentioned with those guys,” he said. “The only thing I want is for the best for the team.”
On Saturday, Boykin threw for 330 yards and a touchdown to guide his team to a come-from-behind 34-30 win over Kansas.
CBS debated whether Alabama’s Amari Cooper should be in the Heisman conversation after the receiver caught eight passes for 88 yards to help knock off No. 1 Mississippi State. Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson received a letter from the Heisman Trust, which has people in the Rockies buzzing. Marcus Mariota and Oregon were off this past weekend. They’ll host Colorado this coming Saturday.
Elsewhere…
A group of Memphis elementary students got to see the Heisman up close.
Who’s the second-most popular Buckeye after two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin? Eddie George, the 1995 winner, is one of four finalists in this Columbus Business Journal contest.
Jaida Lemmons of Waxahachie, Texas, has signed with Duke to run track. She credits 1987 Heisman winner Tim Brown with helping her get to the next level.
Tim Tebow, the 2007 winner, led his colleagues in prayer between commercials on the SEC network.
Johnny Manziel talked about the time Tiger Woods didn’t give him an autograph. Will Johnny Football get his shot in Cleveland soon?
