Saturday, December 14, 2002
Heisman candidate pros & cons
By ANDREW GROSS
The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News
A capsule summary of the five Heisman Trophy finalists.
Brad Banks (Iowa, Sr., QB) Key numbers: 155-258-4, 2,369 yards, 25 TDs
Pros: Was named The Associated Press player of the year after guiding the Hawkeyes to an 11-1 mark while leading the nation in passing efficiency. Rarely made mistakes despite not starting a Division I-A game prior to this season.
Cons: Out of sight, out of mind - his regular season ended Nov. 16.
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Ken Dorsey (Miami, Sr., QB) Key numbers: 194-352-10, 3,073 yards, 26 TDs
Pros: Dorsey is the focal point as the top-ranked Hurricanes aim for their second straight BCS title. He is 38-1 as a starter and the only preseason Heisman candidate to still be a factor in the race.
Cons: The Heisman Trophy isn't necessarily a career achievement award.
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Larry Johnson (Penn State, Sr., TB) Key numbers: 251 carries, 2,015 yards, 20 TDs
Pros: Johnson set an NCAA record with 8.0 yards per carry. He ended the regular season with 279 yards and four touchdowns in the first half of a 61-7 win over Michigan State and his 2,575 all-purpose yards are a Penn State record.
Cons: Johnson averaged 74 yards in the Nittany Lions' three losses and he gained 1,396 yards over his final six games against opponents whose combined record was 36-38.
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Willis McGahee (Miami, Soph., TB) Key numbers: 262 carries, 1,686 yards, 27 TDs
Pros: McGahee ended his regular season with 205 yards and six touchdowns in a 56-45 win over Virginia Tech as he - not Dorsey - was the difference.
Cons: He's only a sophomore and Dorsey's candidacy hurts his chances.
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Carson Palmer (Southern Cal, Sr., QB) Key numbers: 288-458-10, 3,639 yards, 32 TDs.
Pros: His numbers are better than both Dorsey's and Banks' and Palmer did it against the nation's toughest schedule. He threw for 425 yards and four touchdowns in a season-ending 44-13 win over Notre Dame.
Cons: Much of Palmer's exploits prior to the final game likely went unseen by a large majority of the voters, since he plays on the West Coast.
REDS / BASEBALL
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Bowden set to deal - even Griffey
Hall of Famers weigh in on Rose
Senator says outlook good for Rose fans
Red Sox GM says stars will stay
BENGALS / NFL
Bengals Taylor-made for Jags' RB
No surprise: No sellout, no local TV
Sunday's best bets
MVP race up for grabs
Six draw fines for Pack-Vikes scuffle
2002 HEISMAN TROPHY
Who will win Heisman? It's anyone's guess
Former Heisman winners weigh in on race
McGahee gets this vote
Heisman candidate pros & cons
McGahee scores more Heisman attention
Penn State's Johnson has something to prove
Banks draws on strong family ties
Winning is everything for Dorsey
Palmer is Unitas winner
UC BEARCATS
Football: Ruffin to close his career at home
Hoops: Bearcat scoring solution possible
XAVIER
Opportunity knocking for Xavier
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Enquirer's Tipoff page
Five questions with Luke Ridnour
UC-Xavier Q&A
Catching up with Scott Padgett
UK expecting bumps, bruises
Strong defense Bulldogs' trademark
Memories of Evansville crash linger 25 years later
Treacherous schedule tires No. 7 Hoosiers
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Riley turns down Alabama job
LOCAL SPORTS SPOTLITE
Ducks banged up
My Charmer Stakes today at Turfway
Sports on TV
HIGH SCHOOLS
No. 3 La Salle edges No. 4 St. X
Withrow tips Hughes, extends record to 5-0
Ohio boys roundup
Simon Kenton thumps Dixie
Kentucky boys roundup
Kentucky high schooler sues newspaper over his privacy
High school results, schedules
Wyoming's Koscianski runner-up for Wendy's Heisman
Wrestling: St. X stuns Pickerington
