Heisman Watch Week One: Moore Shines on National Stage

in Heisman Watch by Asher Feldman — September 7, 2010 at 1:33 am | 1 comment

Every week, BCS Know How will have a Heisman Watch, recapping the week’s action for the top five candidates for college football’s most prestigious award. The candidates are listed in no particular order.

Terrelle Pryor

The Ohio State quarterback fared about as well as you might expect in his opening game against a less than stellar Marshall defense, burning the Thundering Herd for 247 yards passing and three touchdowns.

Pryor showed prowess both in the short and long passing game, and led his Buckeye offense up and down the field with relative ease. Although he did get some help from his talented stable of receivers, he was proficient in all aspects of the game.

Although Marshall proved to be little obstacle for Pryor, the Hurricanes of Miami lie ahead in week two, which will certainly be a much better proving ground for the junior quarterback.

Mark Ingram

Ingram was and still may be hurt and unable to play in the foreseeable future, which could certainly throw a wrench into his bid for a repeat Heisman trophy. Also not helping his case is how effectively backup Trent Richardson filled in for the Heisman-winner.

The stats against San Jose State could have certainly helped build the junior running back’s early-season resume, but if he can get back onto the field soon following arthroscopic surgery, he should be fine.

Kellen Moore

Moore had the kind of night that Heisman trophy hopefuls wish for in early season non-conference action.

Along with the three touchdowns and more than 200 passing yards in yet another zero interception performance, Moore delivered his Boise State Broncos a come from behind victory — this time over Virginia Tech — and sent the team on its way towards what it hopes can be a national championship caliber season.

Moore looked effective all game, hitting nine different receivers during the game, and then hitting on four of five passes in the game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter to bring the Broncos a victory. His pass to star wide receiver Austin Pettis for the touchdown was perfectly placed and is a very early but very strong Heisman-type moment for the junior quarterback.

Moore’s composure is sure to win him some early hype as a Heisman favorite.

Noel Devine

Although Devine did not score until the fourth quarter of the Mountaineers’ shutout victory over Coastal Carolina on Saturday, he did show his potential and threat throughout the game in all aspects, and his 111 yards rushing were enough to keep Devine in the Heisman talks for now.

His 144 yards of total offense helped the Mountaineers look very good against an overwhelmed Coastal Carolina squad, and quarterback Geno Smith looked comfortable running the West Virginia show.

Smith’s improvement and success this season will be key for Devine, as he will need a steady passing game to help set him up for the darting, dashing, long runs that have defined his collegiate career to this point.

Dion Lewis

After one carry it looked like Dion Lewis might be on his way towards making an early push for Heisman favorite positioning after week one. But 24 carries and just one touchdown later, Lewis did no more than any other Heisman candidate did in this very muddled early season race.

Especially hurting Lewis’s cause was the fact that Pittsburgh, a preseason favorite in the Big East, looked a little outmatched by Utah and fell in overtime at the hands of the Utes.

Utah was able to contain Lewis and hold him to just 75 rushing yards, and make him a non-factor in the passing game (one reception for nine yards). If Lewis is seriously looking for some Heisman buzz, both the he and the Panthers must submit stronger efforts moving forward.

←2010 Heisman Hopeful Countdown: No. 1 Alabama RB Mark Ingram

Heisman Watch Week Two: Pryor Shows His Stuff →

Tags: dion lewis featured Heisman Watch kellen moore Mark Ingram noel devine Terrelle Pryor