Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein continues to lead in today’s eighth installment of the Scripps Howard News Service Heisman Poll, but Texas A&M freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel is gaining ground.
Manziel, up to second in this week’s poll, received two of the 10 first-place votes in balloting announced today. Klein, a senior, received the other eight after claiming all 10 first-place votes from members of the voting panel last week.
Manziel, bidding to become the first freshman to win a Heisman Trophy, completed 24-of-31 passes for 253 yards and two TDs while rushing for 92 yards in last week’s 29-24 upset of then-No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Manziel and Klein were the only candidates listed this week on all 10 ballots turned in by members of the voting committee.
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 Collin Klein, Kansas State, 2,020 passing yards, 69.7 completion pct., 12 TDs, 3 interceptions, 748 rushing yards, 19 TDs, 47 (8).
2. QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, 2,780 passing yards, 67.6 completion pct., 18 TDs, 6 ints., 1,014 rushing yards, 15 TDs, 36 (2).
3. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 87 tackles, 6 interceptions, 2 fumbles recovered, 1.5 sacks, 23.
4. RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon, 1,360 rushing yards, 19 TDs, 18 receptions, 1 TD, 16.
5. WR/KR Marqise Lee, USC, 98 receptions, 1,447 yards, 13 TDs, 677 return yards, 1 TD, 110 rushing yards, 11.
Others receiving votes: Ohio State QB Braxton Miller 9, Oregon QB Marcus Mariota 4, Wisconsin RB Montee Ball 2, Alabama QB A.J. McCarron 2.
Last week's top five:
Player, School, Season Stats, Poll Points (first-place votes in parentheses).
1. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State, 45 (7).
2. (tie) RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon, 25 (2).
2. (tie) QB A.J. McCarron, Alabama, 25 (1).
4. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 24.
5. QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State, 16.
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
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