Saturday Blitz
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College football’s top 15 Heisman Trophy candidates heading into spring

By Jerran Anderson

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) drops back to pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) drops back to pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) reacts after making a touchdown against the USC Trojans during the third quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) reacts after making a touchdown against the USC Trojans during the third quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Running back Saquon Barkley finished 2016 as the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in his sophomore season. He ran for 1,496 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns last season for the Nittany Lions. They were the surprise of the Big Ten in 2016, winning the division at 8-1 and the title.

Barkley’s rushing yards and touchdowns were a conference-high. He also caught 28 passes for 402 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He rushed for over 100 rushing yards in five contests for Penn State in 2016, rushing for a touchdown in all but two games.

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The Nittany Lions went 11-3 behind Barkley and quarterback Trace McSorley, upsetting Ohio State 24-21 and then Wisconsin in  the Big Ten Championship Game 38-31. They fell in the Rose Bowl 52-49 to the USC Trojans, but with Barkley back as a Heisman hopeful, there will be a lot of expectations for him.

Look for Barkley to have a bigger role in the passing attack as newcomers will fill some weaknesses as well.

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