Heisman Trophy: Ranking the last 15 Heisman winners
By Gabe Encinas
2001 Heisman Stats: 105/189, 1,510 yards, 7 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 203 carries, 1,115 yards, 18 touchdowns
Crouch has the rare distinction of winning the Heisman despite throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. That’s likely never to happen again. But where Crouch made his mark was as a runner in Nebraska’ option attack.
He perfected the option and no one seemed to know how to stop it. He led a rushing attack that averaged more 300 yards a game.
In an era when the option was dying and the spread passing attacks were spreading across the country, Nebraska’s commitment to the option was almost a novelty that we could have taken it for granted if not for Crouch’s game-breaking ability.
The one-two punch of Crouch and Dahrran Diedrick seemed near impossible to stop, until the Cornhuskers got toward the end of the season. Nebraska ended up going 11-2, losing their final two games to No. 14 Colorado and No. 1 Miami in the Rose Bowl.
Next: 11. Mark Ingram