ESPN's
'Heisman' Not Bad
Drama-Free Award Show A Coronation Of Ricky Williams
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NCAA Coverage
ESPN's
"Heisman Trophy Presentation" wasn't classic television but
it helped this fan to deal with a Saturday devoid of Division I-A college
football. I'm sure the family of winner Ricky Williams (Texas) didn't
mind it either.
Williams, the senior tailback from Texas, finished the balloting with
2,355 points. The other three finalists - Kansas State quarterback Michael
Bishop (792 points); UCLA QB Cade McNown (696); and Kentucky QB Tim Couch
(527) - finished well out of the money.
"College Gameday" host Chris Fowler served as emcee with
Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and John Mackovic providing cream puff interviews
of the four finalists. Mackovic, who coached Williams for three years
at Texas, chatted with the star's mother, Sandy, and two sisters.
The crew also sat down with past winners - QB Gary Beban, 1967,
UCLA; RB Steve Owens, 1969, Oklahoma; RB Archie Griffin, 1974-5, Ohio
State; RB Tony Dorsett, 1976, Pittsburgh; and RB Earl Campbell, 1977,
Texas. Coaches Mack Brown (Texas) and Hal Mumme (Kentucky) were also interviewed.
Fowler did a nice job of running the show and ESPN's presentation was
fine but there's really only so much you can do with such an award show
- especially one without suspense. And must we keep hearing Brent Musburger's
horrendous call of Williams' record-breaking run?
Glitch:
ESPN cut to a Wendy's commercial as Fowler explained that USC's O.J. Simpson
won the Heisman after leading the nation in rushing in 1968; Billy Sims
of Oklahoma won after leading in 1978; Barry Sanders, after leading in
1988. Ten years later there was little doubt Williams would win the award.
Interesting: Corso noted that a total of just two running backs
have been invited to the Heisman presentation the past three years.
Lacking: Early in the program, Fowler explained that more voters
on holding onto their ballots into late in the season. But, he should've
done a better job explaining how the process works.
Corporate Award: The Heisman presention is sponsored by Wendy's.
Naturally, viewers saw more of Dave Thomas than Ricky Williams.
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