The Heisman Top 25: No. 25 Venric Mark

Oct 20, 2012; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Venric Mark (5) returns the opening kick against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first quarter at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Just 76 players in the history of college football have earned the designation of Heisman Trophy winners. First awarded in 1935, the Heisman Trophy is considered the sport’s pinnacle of individual achievement.

SaturdayBlitz.com is tracking the race to the 78^th Heisman Trophy throughout the 2013 college football season via the Heisman Top 25. Every week throughout the season, we are tracking the progress of the contenders, both their on-field impact and media presence.

Head coach Pat Fitzgerald led Northwestern to heights not reached since he was playing linebacker for the Wildcats in the mid-1990s. The 2012 Wildcats won 10 games, including the program’s first bowl victory since 1948. Northwestern also went 2-0 against SEC opponents.

The bar is raised for 2013. Quarterback Trevor Siemian told Athlon Sports that anything short of a Rose Bowl is “unacceptable.” Northwestern is a legitimate contender for the Big Ten Conference crown, and its first Rose Bowl since Fitzgerald’s ’95 team. A primary reason for both least year’s success, and the lofty standard set for this year is Venric Mark.

Mark checks in at No. 25 on the Heisman Top 25 preseason rankings, coming off an exciting 2012 campaign wherein he was catalyst for the Wildcats’ 31.7 point per game offense. Mark set the table offensively as the team’s leading rusher. His 1366 yards were third overall in the Big Ten, and most among conference returners.

But Venric truly left his mark from a national perspective on special teams. He was an All-America honoree as a punt returner, and ran back both punts and a kickoff.

How Venric Mark Wins The Heisman
Dec 8, 2012; New York, NY, USA; A detailed view of the Heisman Trophy during a press conference before the announcement of the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner at the Marriott Marquis in downtown New York City. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Mark barely made the cut on the preseason top 25, which doesn’t necessarily mean that much — two of the last three winners, Cam Newton and Johnny Manziel, almost assuredly would not have cracked the initial rankings. Racking up staggering numbers propelled both into the national consciousness.

However, quarterbacks have a decided advantage in today’s game. Alabama’s Mark Ingram is the only running back to win the award since 2005, and Ingram was the star of a national championship team.

Mark is at two significant disadvantages as both a running back, and playing for a team projected to be nowhere near the BCS championship conversation. Of course, of the Wildcats’ three losses last season, two against divisional rivals Michigan and Nebraska were by a combined eight points. A few plays break differently this time around, Northwestern wins 11 in the regular season and plays for the conference championship? Stranger things have happened.

Statistical Overview

• Rushing: 1366 yards/226 carries (6.0 ypc); 12 touchdowns

• Receiving: 104 yards/20 receptions; 1 touchdown

• Kick Returns: 550 yards/21 attempts; 1 touchdown

• Punt Returns: 280 yards/15 attempts; 2 touchdowns

Compared To Past Heisman Winners

• Reggie Bush, 2005: Though no longer officially recognized as a Heisman Trophy winner, Bush remains the benchmark for dual running back/returners. In his 2005 campaign, Bush set a record only C.J. Spiller has matched since with touchdowns by five different means: rush, pass, reception, kick return and punt return. Mark hit on four of the five.

What They’re Saying

Brent Yarina, Big Ten Network:

"At 5-8, 175 pounds, people worried about Mark’s durability last year in his debut season at running back. Week after week, though, the former athlete/returner just kept toting the rock and producing – to the tune of 1,366 yards, the most of any returning Big Ten player, and 12 touchdowns. Nowadays, those durability concerns seem laughable. Not only did Mark start all 13 games, he averaged 17.4 carries and was productive enough and fresh enough to rack up eight 100-yard efforts. So, yeah, Mark and his diminutive frame can handle the rigors of Big Ten play. Barring an injury – a concern for every player, really – Mark figures to produce even more as a senior in an experienced offense that boasts quality weapons all over the field."

Athlon Sports

"Mark and quarterback Kain Colter spark a zone-read game that at times is unstoppable, particularly in the red zone…Mark provides the run threat Northwestern lacked for years."

• Athlon Sports 1^st Team Preseason All-American punt returner

• Phil Steele 4^th Team Preseason All-American all-purpose

• Phil Steele 1^st Team Preseason All-Big Ten running back