|
1972 - 38th Award; Johnny Rodgers, Wingback Omaha, NE (1970-1972)
Leading the nation's number one team, Rodgers proved himself as one of the most versatile backs in Cornhusker history. Operating as a punt returner, pass receiver, blocker, and runner, he broke offensive records by the dozens. In his three-year career he racked up 5,586 all-purpose yards for an NCAA record. His 72-yard punt return for the first touchdown ignited the Huskers' thrilling 35-31 victory over Oklahoma in the Game of the Century in 1971. The Montreal Alouettes signed Johnny where his quickness and versatility made him a valuable favorite over several seasons. He had a career with the San Diego Chargers in the NFL. Rodgers, one of the nattiest dressers in football, has been a conspicuous contributor to the fun of recent Heisman Dinners. Johnny was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1999.
The Voting
Johnny Rodgers, the all-around star from Nebraska, made it a clean sweep of all five sections and easily outdistanced his Oklahoma rival, Greg Pruitt. It was a standout year for the Big Eight as Nebraska middle guard Rich Glover gave the conference the three top spots in the balloting. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
1983 - 49th Award; Mike Rozier, I-Back Camden, NJ (1981-1983)
Mike owns both the Nebraska all-time rushing and scoring records, yet it is possible that he might never have gone west to Lincoln had not Nebraska assistant Frank Solich been such a keen observer of high school game films. Solich was studying movies of another player in Rozier's hometown of Camden, New Jersey. "Mike kept sticking out on the film," Solich remembers. Rozier was a Wishbone fullback in high school, yet still managed to gain 300 yards in a single game. He didn't miss that mark by much against Kansas late in the season, when he rambled for 285 yards and registered four touchdowns in another monster-score win for Nebraska. All through the year, Rozier maintained an average of nearly eight yards every time he carried the ball. "He's a super prospect," says Gil Brandt, Vice President of the Dallas Cowboys in charge of player personnel, and one of the finest judges of football talent. "He has everything it takes to be a successful pro running back." Mike Rozier takes such praise the way he takes an opposing defense - in stride. "God gave me this gift. I just do the best I can to use it," he says. The Houston Oilers chose Mike in the supplemental draft in 1984 where he played for seven years. He finished his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons in 1991. The Voting:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2001 - 67th Award; Eric Crouch, Quarterback Omaha, NE (1998-2001)
NEW YORK, New York (8 December 2001) - Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch was selected as the 67th winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy as the Outstanding College Football Player of the United States for 2001. James E. Corcoran, President of the Downtown Athletic Club, announced the selection of Crouch at the Marriot Marquis. The 6'1", 200-pound Crouch becomes the third Cornhusker to win the Heisman Trophy as he joins Johnny Rodgers, the 1972 Heisman winner, and Mike Rozier, the 1983 Heisman winner. He is the 54th senior and the 24th quarterback to be selected as recipient of the award. Crouch, of Omaha, NE, has completed 105 of 189 passes for 1,510 yards and 7 touchdowns. Eric is 35-6 as a starter at Nebraska, and is just four wins behind NCAA record holder Peyton Manning (39). Crouch owns the NCAA Division I-A quarterback record with 59 career-rushing touchdowns, and for rushing touchdowns in a two-year period with 38. Eric has averaged 92 yards per game, 5.5 yards per play and has scored 18 touchdowns, which ranks fifth among all rushers of the season. Eric, under coach Frank Solich, led the Cornhuskers to a regular season record of 11-1. Ballots were mailed out to 871 media personnel across the nation plus 53 Heisman winners and one Suzuki fan ballot. The point total is reached by a system of three points for a first place vote, two for a second and one for third. Eric Crouch will officially be honored at the 67th annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Award Dinner on Monday evening, December 10th at the New York Marriot Marquis.
The Voting
The points by region and position within each region for the top five candidates:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
