Over the years the Heisman Trophy has seen more than a few odd turns and upsets, from 1956 when Paul Hornung took home the honor despite playing for a 2-8 Notre Dame team to Ohio State's Archie Griffin winning in1975 despite not even being named Big Ten MVP to Florida State's Chris Weinke given a career-achievement award in 2000 over Oklahoma's Josh Heupel.
This year the award should go to Florida quarterback Tim Tebow: while a sophomore has never won the honor(Herschel Walker finished second in 1981) today is a different era where the nation's best usually depart after three seasons. And Tebow is enjoying a phenomenal year-- completing almost seventy percent of his passes, almost 4000 total yards (3132 rushing plus 838 passing) from scrimmage, 29 touchdown passes(with only six interceptions) plus 22 touchdown runs. And he's done it in the spotlight of a defending national champion playing in arguably the toughest conference in the nation. History should be made in New York this December.
VIRGINIA TECH won the Commonwealth Clash, outscoring VIRGINIA 33-21 in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers were actually taking control of the contest, forcing back to back three and outs by the Hokies--with under a minute to play Jameel Sewell had UVa about ten to fifteen yards out of field goal range and a potential four point halftime lead when Brandon Flowers picked off Sewell. Three plays later Sean Glennon found Eddie Royal on a 39 yard touchdown pass, and the Hokies would take the lead for good.
HOKIE HIGHLIGHTS-- After a season operating behind a patchwork offensive line, Branden Ore rumbled for a season high 147 yards rushing. 147 was a Hokie magic number as Eddie Royal tallied that amount receiving.Defensively the difference maker Orion Martin-- the junior notched two sacks and broke up a pair of passes.
CAVALIER COMMENDATIONS-- Mikkell Simpson ran for 81yards while catching six passes against a defense keyed on his every move; while DE Chris Long tallied one and a half sacks in the face of continual double-teams, Clint Sintim was able to break free for three sacks of his own.
MARYLAND clinched a bowl berth with a 37-0 shutout of North Carolina State. A three touchdown second quarter gave the Terps a nice cushion entering halftime and unlike previous games (Wake Forest,Virginia) made a double digit second half lead stand--after a three and out to begin the third quarter, they scored on three straight possessions.Major props to a team that never gave up despite a multitude of injuries (specifically on a mangled offensive line)--after three straight losses the 4-5 Terps looked like they were in trouble; instead they're making holiday plans.
UPSIDE-- the Terrapin ground game posted 249 yards rushing, DaRell Scott leading the way with 89 yards while Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore each scored a pairof touchdowns. Chris Turner even got into the act with 40 yards of his own-- and the sophomore continues to grow in his starting role with a turnover-free game. Defensively, Dave Philistin shined with ten tackles and his first career interception--and led a unit that held the Wolfpack to ten yards rushing.
DOWNSIDE-- just one sack in 45 passing attempts? One would have hoped the defensive line would have generated a little more pressure. Other than that,the Terps were as dominant as they've been all year.
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