Heisman Trophy Watch 2017: Quarterbacks take center stage after Week 2
By Zach Bigalke
Notables
- Leaderboards: 1st (tie) nationally in passing touchdowns (4.5/game)
- Passing: 57-of-84 for 820 yards, 9 touchdowns vs 0 interceptions
- Other: 7 carries for -31 yards (5 sacks)
After a lost season in 2016, nobody was quite sure what UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen would do this season. He has returned to college football with a vengeance, posting some of the biggest stats in the early season as the Bruins have improved to 2-0. After another huge day against Hawaii, Rosen is now tied for the national lead in passing touchdowns.
Rosen began to burnish his Heisman credentials in Week 1 with four touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a 34-point comeback victory over Texas A&M. He followed that up by completing 22 of his 25 passes against Hawaii for an efficient 329 yards and five scores. The Bruins ran away with a 56-23 win over the Rainbow Warriors and entered the AP Top 25 for the first time this season after the big win.
A big game against Memphis in the Liberty Bowl could further boost his Heisman campaign in Week 3. For now, though, Rosen sits right behind the defending award winner and the early front-runner. The legend of Rosen continues to grow, though, and he gives UCLA a legitimate chance to play a dark-horse role in the Pac-12 South race this season.