And the Heisman Trophy goes to . . .

[gratuitous]

How about Blake Elliott, quarterback for Division III Linfield College? In the national quarterfinal playoff game today against Occidental, Elliott has thrown six touchdown passes to bring his season total to 55 touchdown passes.

Yes, that's fifty-five touchdown passes for the season.

I submit that that is the best performance by any collegiate football player at any level this season, and isn't that what the Heisman Trophy is supposed to honor?

[No Mandate Here.]

1. Are you in Mac?

I have a lot of family there.

[gratuitous]

3. Nearby

Linfield class of 1980.

[DenverDem]

2. Different level of competition.

Great achievement, but he would not necessarily have those numbers in a Division I school.

[Sandpiper]

4. Giving the Heisman to a D-3 player would be like

Major League Baseball giving an MVP award to a guy playing double A ball.

[WCGreen]

5. MAurice Clarett...

Oh the yards he could have gained if only ..........

[qazplm]

6. um no

if that were the case, then a relatively talented player could just play Division III instead of Division I were he belonged and get the heisman that way.

To be the best, you have to beat the best it seems to me.

[gratuitous]

7. Well, Linfield's in the national quarterfinals

And with a 42-20 halftime lead appears to have as good a chance as anyone of being the best. The Heisman is supposed to go to the best college football player, and I don't see any "must be a scholarship athlete at a football factory" provision.

With two and a half games to go, Elliott could throw 70 TD passes this season. Though Coach Locey will probably pull him partway through the third quarter today.

[gratuitous]

8. Now it's 49-20

Less than two minutes into the third quarter, and the Wildcats have another TD. Their total time of possession is just over 10 minutes for the game so far.

[Champ]

9. Player who has most impact on a top 10(usually) Division 1-A team

Blake Elliot isn't the best player, I doubt he would have those numbers against top Division 1-A teams. Don't get me wrong it is quite an achievement on any level plus I think Linfield is a great school that consistenly wins every season. I follow football down to Junior College. Not into high school football but would go or watch one to see a really good athlete who has high potential to have a successful career in college, maybe even the NFL. They shouldn't had the award to anyone on a team in a less prestigous division or league. The NBA won't hand the Regular Season MVP to anyone in a development league nor will MLB hand the award to anyone in a minor league. Same thing with all sports.

[gratuitous]

10. No, the trophy is intended for . . .

And I quote from the Heisman web site, "an award to the most outstanding college football player." Nothing about where the team finishes (Heismans have been awarded to players on teams with losing records; if memory serves, Paul Hornung won the award while playing for a Notre Dame team that had a losing record) or what division they compete in.

And certainly Linfield has a college football pedigree: They haven't had a losing season since the first Eisenhower administration.

Oh, and professional sports trophies? Are made and awarded for professional leagues. The Heisman is for the outstanding college football player. 55 touchdown passes so far this season. If it was so easy, everyone would do that. You know, like hitting 73 home runs or getting 230 hits.

[SmileyBoy]

11. Question: Is the Heisman for I-A players only???

Or can I-AA players also compete for the Heisman??

[gratuitous]

12. According to the Downtown Athletic Club

It's awarded to "the outstanding college football player." Although the folks who vote on the award are apparently blind to any performance not accomplished at one of the football factory schools, they are under no compulsion to do so.