With Iowa’s Brad Banks and Heisman Trophy winner USC’s Carson Palmer, the 69th Orange Bowl is only the third postseason game in college history to have the top two Heisman vote-getters on the same marquee. Two years ago, winner Chris Weinke of Florida State and runner-up Josh Heupel of Oklahoma went head-to-head for the national title.
Ohio State’s Archie Griffin won his second consecutive Heisman in 1974 before leading his squad to Pasadena for a Rose Bowl meeting with runner-up Anthony Davis’ Trojans.
In both cases, the runner-up enjoyed some vindication. Davis helped USC nip the Buckeyes 18-17 for a share of the national championship. Heupel’s Sooners stunned Weinke’s favored Seminoles 13-2.
Since arriving here for the “Rose Bowl East,” as many have tabbed this traditional Pac-10-Big Ten matchup, the Hawkeyes have not publicly sounded a Banks battle cry.
“I just go out and do what I am supposed to do, and I leave it at that,” said Banks, the AP Player of the Year. “I don’t try to prove anything to anybody. I’ll just go out and play my game.”
Whatever happens Thursday night won’t detract from Palmer’s achievement. He became the Pac-10’s career passing and total offense leader after throwing for 3,639 yards with 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
“You earn your Heisman for the season you play,” USC coach Pete Carroll said. “Obviously, there is a heightened awareness of what Carson is about going into the game. He has something to carry in his life that has changed his life. Hopefully, he’ll be able to go out and to play his game like he always does.”
For the Hawkeyes, containing the Trojans’ offense won’t revolve around slowing Palmer and his crew of gifted receivers. Even with a Heisman quarterback and a freshman wideout in Mike Williams, who had 75 receptions for 1,166 yards and 13 scores, USC remained remarkably balanced. The Trojans ran three more running plays (466) than pass plays in 2002.
