NCAA Football: 25 Heisman Trophy finalists who should have won in hindsight
By John Scimeca
The case for Greg Pruitt to win the Heisman Trophy is an easy one; from several major indicators, it was Pruitt’s award to lose. Nebraska running back Johnny Rodgers won instead against his conference rival, while his teammate in defensive lineman Rich Glover, finished third in the voting.
Oklahoma entered the postseason with a 10-1 record before beating Penn State 14-0 in the Fiesta Bowl. Nebraska finished the regular season 8-2-1, including a 17-14 loss to the Sooners earlier in the season. The Cornhuskers would go on to defeat Notre Dame in that year’s Orange Bowl to earn their ninth win of the season.
Statistically, Pruitt also held an edge. He rushed for 938 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Rodgers rushed for 348 yards and 10 touchdowns on 4.8 yards per rush. Rodgers, though, also caught 58 passes for 1,103 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
Pruitt did not have comparable numbers as a pass-catcher. In a Wishbone-laden era before downfield passing attacks and spread offenses were commonplace, it was Rodgers’ receiving prowess that must have separated him from Pruitt in the eyes of Heisman voters.
Pruitt may have caught fewer passes, but he did outrush, defeat and lead a more successful team than Rodgers.
Pruitt would go on to play for 12 seasons in the NFL, appearing in five Pro Bowls and winning a Super Bowl during his time with Oakland Raiders. Rodgers, after playing several seasons with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, only played two seasons in the NFL with the then-San Diego Chargers.