Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, a record-setting redshirt freshman, is the new leader in today’s ninth installment of the Scripps Howard News Service Heisman Trophy Poll.
Manziel, the first freshman in FBS history to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, received eight of 10 first-place votes from members of the voting panel to surge past Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein. Klein, the leader the past three weeks, finished second in balloting, followed by Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o.
Both Klein and Te’o received one first-place vote. The rest went to Manziel, who is bidding to become the first freshman to win the Heisman in the award’s 77-year history. Manziel threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards and two scores in last week’s 47-28 victory over Sam Houston State.
No. 9 A&M (9-2) closes its regular season Saturday against Missouri (5-6) in College Station. Manziel, also a finalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, has rushed for 1,114 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He has thrown for 3,047 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
The Scripps poll is the longest-running Heisman Trophy poll in the nation. Since its inception in 1987, it has correctly forecast the Heisman winner in its final weekly installment in 21 of 25 years, including last season. Below is a look at this week’s poll and a list of voters:
This week's top five:
Player, School, Season Stats, Poll Points (first-place votes in parentheses).
1. QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, 3,047 passing yards, 67.7 completion pct., 21 TDs, 7 ints., 1,114 rushing yards, 17 TDs, 47 (8).
2. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State, 2,306 passing yards, 69.7 completion pct., 12 TDs, 3 interceptions, 787 rushing yards, 20 TDs, 32 (1).
3. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 98 tackles, 6 interceptions, 2 fumbles recovered, 1.5 sacks, 27 (1).
4. WR/KR Marqise Lee, USC, 107 receptions, 1,605 yards, 14 TDs, 704 return yards, 1 TD, 107 rushing yards, 11.
5. RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon, 1,426 rushing yards, 19 TDs, 19 receptions, 1 TD, 10.
Others receiving votes: Ohio State QB Braxton Miller 9, Clemson QB Tajh Boyd 6, Wisconsin RB Montee Ball 3, Alabama QB A.J. McCarron 3, Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch 2.
Last week's top five:
Player, School, Season Stats, Poll Points (first-place votes in parentheses).
1. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State, 47 (8).
2. QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, 36 (2).
3. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 23.
4. RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon, 16.
5. WR/KR Marqise Lee, 11.
Voters: Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman; Randy Beard, Evansville Courier and Press; Jimmy Burch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Bob Condotta, Seattle Times; Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com; Vahe Gregorian, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; John Helsley, The Oklahoman; Mike Griffith, Knoxville News-Sentinel, and Todd Jones, Columbus Dispatch.
_ Jimmy Burch
Like I said .....Manziel is the BEST QB Pick in Texas and probably nation, coming out of Tivy High School.
Posted by: Rpalomares | November 23, 2012 at 02:40 PM