Tebow takes trophy, McFadden 2nd again
Posted on Sunday, December 9, 2007
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/210091/
NEW YORK — Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden outdid himself but he could not overtake Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in the Heisman Trophy race.
Tebow became the f irst sophomore to win college football’s most prestigious award, capturing the Heisman Trophy by a 254-point margin over McFadden on Saturday at the Nokia Theater in Times Square.
“It’s going to be something I’ll never forget, that’s for sure,” said Tebow, who set an NCAA record by accounting for 51 total touchdowns this season, including an SEC-record 22 rushing touchdowns.
He described the moment his name was called by Brian Obergfell of the Heisman Trophy Trust: “I was a little overwhelmed at the moment. I was unsure, to tell you the truth.”
Tebow pulled down 462 first-place votes and totaled 1, 957 points to McFadden’s 1, 703 points. A record 96 percent of the 925 ballots were returned, an indication that the Heisman race between two SEC stars struck a chord with voters nationwide. McFadden and Tebow split every national player of the year honor this season, with McFadden taking the Walter Camp and Sporting News honors. Tebow won the Maxwell Award given to the nation’s best all-around player and the Heisman. “Tebow’s a great guy,” McFadden said. “His numbers spoke for themselves. He did a great job and he deserved the Heisman Trophy.” McFadden, who had 291 firstplace votes, earned the highest percentage ever by a runner-up and became the third player to finish second in consecutive seasons. McFadden admitted he was a bit disappointed.
“I was kind of down because I had high hopes coming in here,” McFadden said.
Later, when meeting the media at the Hard Rock Cafe, Mc-Fadden said he would cherish everything he’s done in his college career, though he did not announce he would forego his senior season yet.
“I have no regrets,” he said. “If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it the same way. I love all my fans back home, and I know they love me. I don’t think they’re going to disown me because I didn’t win the Heisman.”
McFadden became only the fifth player since 1950 to finish in the top two in consecutive years, joining Southern Cal’s O. J. Simpson (1967-68 ), Ohio State’s Archie Griffin (1974-75 ), Oklahoma’s Billy Sims (1978-79 ) and Georgia’s Herschel Walker (1981-82 ), who all won in their second appearance. Tebow, sporting a short cast to protect a broken bone on his right (non-throwing ) hand, hefted the 25-pound bronze statuette with his left hand. Tebow won five of the six regions of the country, losing only in the Southwest, where McFadden outpointed him 323-298. Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, wearing a lei in Hawaii colors with a green bow on it, finished third with 632 points. “[Tebow ] had an unbelievable season, and I really think he deserved it,” Brennan said.
Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel, who will face McFadden’s Razorbacks in the Cotton Bowl Classic, was fourth with 425 points. “Everyone knew [Tebow ] was going tp win, so it was no surprise,” Daniel said.
Tebow became the first player in college football to run and pass for more than 20 touchdowns in the same season. His 178. 8 pass efficiency rating is second in the country and the highest ever for a Heisman winner.
McFadden established school and conference records. He set an SEC record with 2, 172 all-purpose yards, breaking the previous record held by LSU’s Domanick Davis (2, 120 yards ).
His 321-yard rushing performance against South Carolina tied the SEC record, and he teamed up with Felix Jones (166 yards ) in that game to establish a NCAA record with 487 combined rushing yards.
McFadden jumped atop the Arkansas career rushing chart this year and will bring 4, 485 rushing yards into the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day.
The junior out of Little Rock ranks third all time in the SEC and needs only 72 more yards to surpass Kevin Faulk for second place.
McFadden led the country with 6. 4 yards per carry against ranked teams.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who touted McFadden’s candidacy most of the season and certainly down the stretch, predicted an extremely close vote.
“I’ve been doing this for about 12 years now, and I can’t remember -- well, I guess in ‘ 97... when [Charles ] Woodson beat Peyton Manning -- I can’t remember where you just have no idea who’s going to win,” Herbstreit said at the entrance to the Nokia Theater on 44 th Street.
Herbstreit would not reveal his vote, citing his role as a host on the Heisman Trophy presentation show, but he said voting for a sophomore should not have been an issue.
“If Tim Tebow ends up not winning, I think it’ll be because there are still enough voters who hold that as part of their criteria.”
McFadden’s guest list included his mother, Mini Muhammad, and his father, Graylon McFadden, his stepmom and several of his brothers and sisters, as well as his position coach Tim Horton, Arkansas trainer Dean Weber, Arkansas strength and conditioning coach Dan Decker. Former Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt was in attendance as was his former position coach, Danny Nutt. “This year is better than last year,” Muhammad said while entering the Nokia Theater.
McFadden f inished the regular season with 1, 725 rushing yards, breaking the school record of 1, 647 yards he set last season. “He’s such a special kid,” Horton said. “He’s such a special young man. He’s worked so hard to get here, and we just want to see him rewarded for all he has done.” Houston Nutt, who left Arkansas 12 days ago to take the head coaching position at Ole Miss, sported a bright red tie for his appearance. He said Ole Miss allowed him to fly to New York on a university plane.
“[McFadden is ] the best college football player, no question about it,” Nutt said before the Heisman ceremony. “He can block, he can run it, which we all know. If that’s not good enough, put him at quarterback.”
Former Heisman winner Eddie George of Ohio State gave his vote to the Arkansas back.
“I think he shows he can do it all,” George said. “Not only is he a running back, but he can throw the ball. He’s the most outstanding player, I think, in college football.”