Week 13: Heisman Watch

Story posted November 30, 2015 in CommRadio, Sports by Abhar Shah

With the last week of regular season college football behind us, the Heisman race is coming to an end as well. The faces that have been in the race for the last several weeks remain there, but the winner this year could be either of the number one or two spot.

Derrick Henry (RB, Alabama)
Stats: 1,797 yards on 6.1 yards per carry and 22 touchdowns
Last week standings: 2

All year long, I had the frontrunner Leonard Fournette in the number one spot on my list, but no more. I can’t do it anymore. Henry just sealed his number one spot after another dominating performance against Auburn, where he carried the ball for 46 times and ran for 271 yards. Carrying the ball 46 times set a school record for most touches. It looks like his performance not just won Alabama the Iron Bowl, but most likely won him the Heisman. Another stat that might help Henry is that he has now scored a rushing touchdown in 17 consecutive games and it always helps when your coach defines you as the most valuable player of the No. 2 team in the nation.

Leonard Fournette (RB, LSU)
Stats: 1.741 yards on 6.4 yards per carry and 18 touchdowns
Last week standing: 1

It’s a shame, but Fournette lost the number one spot. He simply couldn’t keep up his dominating performance from earlier in the year and maybe the amount of touches he got early on proved to be too much for the sophomore. During the first seven weeks, he was running over everyone he faced, but then ever since the Alabama game, he has not looked the same. Fournette closed out the year against Texas A&M carrying the ball 32 times for 159 yards and one touchdown. It’s a good stat line, but when you look at what Henry did, it makes what Fournette did look average.

Deshaun Watson (QB, Clemson)
Stats: 261-371 for 3223 yards. 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Last week standing: 3

Watson played a great game against their in-state rival South Carolina. His cool demeanor kept Clemson in the game and kept them undefeated. The sophomore completed 20 out of 27 passes and threw for 279 yards and one touchdown. He also dominated the rushing game, running the ball 21 times for 114 yards and three touchdowns. Watson’s play this year has been spectacular and he is the biggest reason offensively why Clemson is the best team in the country. 

Ezekiel Elliot (RB, Ohio State)
Stats: 262 carries for 1,672 yards and 19 touchdowns
Last week standing: Honorable Mention

Elliot closed out the season in a dominating performance after a mediocre game against Michigan State. Looks like his coaches listened to his post-game criticism and gave him the ball 30 times. He used those touches and made the most of it by running for 214 yards and two touchdowns. Even though Elliot and the Buckeyes won’t make it to the playoffs, it’s nice to see his last regular season game as a Buckeye end in a dominant fashion.

Honorable Mentions:

Dalvin Cook (RB, FSU)
Baker Mayfield (QB, Oklahoma)
Connor Cook (QB, MSU)

Abhar Shah is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him email abs5349@psu.edu.