Rex Vs. Heisman

There has been a lot of talk among Husker fans, that Nebraska senior running back, Rex Burkhead could win the Heisman Trophy in 2012. Since 2000 only two running backs have won the stiff-armed trophy. USC’s Reggie Bush, which he later was forced to give back, and Alabama’s Mark Ingram. Last season, fellow Big 10 running back Monte Ball was a Heisman finalist.

This is how Burkhead’s 2011 statistics stack up against those running backs, and what he would have to do to make it to New York, and become the fourth Heisman Trophy winner in Nebraska history.

In 2005, the Heisman Trophy race was pretty close. USC running back Reggie Bush just beat out Texas quarterback Vince Young for the hardware in New York City. Bush was eventually ruled an ineligible player by the NCAA, and was forced to return his Heisman in a scandal that lead to serious sanctions for the Trojans.

In 2005 Bush rushed for 1,740 yards, and 16 touchdowns. His back up LenDale White had 27 rushing scores, and wasn’t invited to New York. Bush was the third leading receiver on the team with 478 yards, and two touchdowns through the air.

Bush totaled 2,218 total yards for the Trojans on offense in 2005, and was also one of the nations best kick returners. Bush returned 18 kicks for 179 yards, and 1 touchdown.

In 2009 Alabama’s star running back, Mark Ingram was the focal point of a National Championship winning offense. He rushed for 1,658 yards, and 17 touchdowns. Ingram showed that he was a do it all back. He also hauled in 32 catches for 3334 yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns.

Ingram had a total of 1,992 yards of total offense in his Heisman season. He racked up 120 points for Alabama.

Wisconsin running back, Montee Ball finished 3rd in in the Heisman voting last season. He finished behind two quarterbacks, Robert Griffin III of Baylor (eventual winner), and Andrew Luck 0f Stanford.

In 2011 Ball finished with 1,923 yards rushing. That’s 927 yards more than he rushed for the year previous. Ball scored 39 total touchdowns for the Badgers last season, and that still wasn’t good enough to win the most coveted individual honor in all of college football.

Ball returns to Wisconsin this season, as a Heisman hopeful, and his success could effect Burkhead as Heisman campaign as well. The success of both running backs could split votes among Big 10 voters.

In 2011 Rex Burkhead rushed for 1,357 yards, and just 15 rushing touchdowns. That is 566 yards less than Ball. Burkhead caught 21 passes for 177 yards, and snagged two passes for scores. That is 22 fewer total touchdowns than the Wisconsin running back.

Nebraska was undefeated in every game Burkhead scored more than one touchdown in. The Huskers were 4-3 in games where Rex scored 1 or fewer touchdowns. The only defense he didn’t score against, was Michigan.

For Burkhead to even be invited to New York, he will need to rush for at least 300 or more yards then he did last season. More scores couldn’t hurt Rex’s shot at a Heisman, or Nebraska’s chance at a Big 10 Championship.

The interesting thing to watch in 2012 is Burkhead’s productivity with less carries. He will not have to carry as heavy of a load, or have as many touches this season as he did a year ago. . Burkhead rushed the ball 284 times in 2011. That number may be reduced by 30 carries or more in 2012. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska’s 2nd string, sophomore running back, has shown flashes of improvement. Abdullah had 42 rushes last season, and that number may double this year. Nebraska also added 6-foot-2, 220 lb. freshman running back, Imani Cross to the line up. Nebraska head coach, Bo Pelini said that Cross will see playing time as early as Sep. 1 against Southern Miss.

It will be an up-hill battle for Rex Burkhead to win the Heisman, but maybe less reps may increase his productivity. The fewer reps will hopefully lead to Rex being in better health towards the end of the season. Nebraska fans can attest that if any player can raise to any occasion, it is Rex Burkhead.

By Jimmie Allen

Contact the writer at JAHuskerCorner@gmail.com

Become our Facebook friend at www.Facebook.com/HuskerCorner

Home/Nebraska Cornhuskers News