Heisman Moments: The 1980's
Heisman moments for Oklahoma State RB Barry Sanders (1988); Notre Dame WR/PR Tim Brown (1987); Auburn RB Bo Jackson (1985), Boston College QB Doug Flutie (1984), Nebraska RB Mike Rozier (1983); and Georgia RB Herschel Walker (1982)
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1988 HEISMAN: BARRY SANDERS, OKLAHOMA STATEWhere to start? The entire season was a Heisman moment. Well how about we start with the very first play of the year against Miami (Ohio), setting the tone for a season in which Sanders amassed 2,850 rushing yards, 44 touchdowns, and literally ran away with the trophy.
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1987 HEISMAN: TIM BROWN, NOTRE DAME
Lightning struck twice in South Bend when Tim Brown returned back-to-back punts for touchdowns. The second return was even more remarkable, as Notre Dame was in a designed punt-block giving Brown no blockers to help him:
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1985 HEISMAN: BO JACKSON, AUBURN
Alabama, led by Bear Bryant, was attempting to win their 10th Iron Bowl in a row. After a decade of Crimson Tide state dominance, Auburn broke through to pull the upset. It took a freshman running back and a unique playcall to switch the state colors back to Navy and Orange. The legend of Bo Jackson was born here in "Bo Over the Top":
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1984 HEISMAN: DOUG FLUTIE, BOSTON COLLEGE
Trailing defending national champion Miami 45-41, Boston College had one final play. With 8 seconds left from the 48 yard-line..."HE DID IT, HE DID IT...FLUTIE DID IT":
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1983 HEISMAN: MIKE ROZIER, NEBRASKA
I-back Mike Rozier was the workhorse of the "Scoring Explosion" Husker offense that averaged 52 points per game in 1983. Heisman pundits began putting Rozier first on their ballots after this unorthodox 2 yard TD run (first play in clip):
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1982 HEISMAN: HERSCHEL WALKER. GEORGIA
Hershel Walker announced his presence to the college football world on his very first carry. Here, as a true freshman, he runs over All-SEC players into the endzone. Although this play wasn't from his Heisman season, it was on this carry that a superstar was born:
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