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After further review


Dynamic Young proves he deserved to win the Heisman Trophy
By Todd Wright
Jan. 6, 2006





PASADENA, Calif. � Only one group of people feels worse than the players, coaches and fans representing USC.

The Heisman voters who didn’t cast their ballots for Texas QB Vince Young.

Whoops.

The Heisman Trophy is, in theory, supposed to be awarded to the best player in college football.

After Wednesday night in the Rose Bowl, is there any doubt that Vince Young is currently that player?

He piled up 267 yards passing, 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns, including the game-winner on fourth down with seconds to play.

Can’t base it on one game, you say?

Well, isn’t that what the majority of Heisman voters did when they saw or read about Reggie Bush’s single-game numbers this season against Fresno State?

Young’s testimony isn’t based solely on Wednesday, as it all started on the same field 368 days earlier.

In the 2005 version of the Rose Bowl, Young put on one of the most memorable performances in modern college football history as he led the Longhorns to an amazing come-from-behind victory over Michigan.

Just weeks into the 2005 regular season, Young was at it again as he ran and passed Texas over Ohio State in Columbus in the year’s biggest early-season non-conference game.

About a month later, Young was at the controls as Texas got its first-ever victory under Mack Brown over Bob Stoops and Oklahoma at the State Fair of Texas. Of note, the supposedly down Sooners lost only one game after that and most who saw that controversial loss to Texas Tech think they were robbed.

What Vince Young did to USC in the Rose Bowl is exactly what he has been doing all season � he just saves the highlight material for when his team really needs it and doesn’t write his area code on his eye patches.

His knack for necessary timing is like his quarterbacking style since Young is not your typical mobile quarterback.

Honestly, there has not been a better running quarterback at his age who only runs when the play is designed for him to run or the defensive pass coverage is tight.

Not Steve Young, not Charlie Ward, not Michael Vick.

As a matter of fact, Young may be the best skill-position player at avoiding the big hit since the early- to mid-1990s NFL version of Emmitt Smith.

If he calls pass, and it’s his call in the Longhorns’ zone-read system, Young really wants and shows the patience to throw the ball.

He’ll go thru his progressions, taking and making the time to see the whole field, unless, of course, there’s a corner blitz where Young calmly throws to the hot receiver.

However, if there’s not a good option out there, that is when Young tucks it under and runs the football, like that final play of Texas’ last two possessions in the national-championship game.

Some say that USC had to know that Young would run the ball on that final 4th-and-5 from the USC eight.

Sure, but had USC sold out with a blitz or containment plan to stop Young, that would’ve left one or two wide-open options for Young to throw the ball to, and he’s accurate enough to win that way, too.

Texas had a game plan for Reggie Bush, and it worked for all but a few plays, one of which Bush wishes he could have back.

There isn’t yet a game plan for stopping Vince Young and there might not be until some NFL defensive mastermind like Monte Kiffin, Gregg Williams or Lovie Smith has Young as an opponent.

Until then, Young is the best player in college football … for … oh, about 370 days and counting.

IN THE END THE THIRST ALWAYS WINS-DRACULA

spkb25

well if he had one he could join the likes of andre ware

Euphoria

GREAT ARTICLE... I am still trying to figure out how is Leinart better myself.

pakowitz

b/c he played for the 3 time defending national champion USC trojans!!! o wait.. what... they only won 1 NC... nevermind......