Louisville quarterback Jackson wins Heisman
Award first for a Cardinals player
Lamar Jackson leapt over a loaded field of Heisman Trophy contenders early in the season and by the time he slowed down nobody could catch him.
The sensational sophomore quarterback became the first Louisville player to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night in New York, beating out preseason favorite Deshaun Watson of Clemson despite some late-season struggles.
Baker Mayfield finished third and Oklahoma teammate and fellow finalist Dede Westbrook was fourth. Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers was fifth.
Jackson, wearing a red velvet blazer with shiny black lapels, said he could feel his heart pounding in his chest right before his name was announced, and he barely held it together while giving his speech with the former Heisman winners standing behind him on stage.
“I almost cried,” Jackson said. “I never get emotional, but to have my name called and see all those great players ...”
Army 21, Navy 17: Army ended a 14-year run of frustration against the Midshipmen, using an overpowering running game and opportunistic defense to carve out a long overdue victory.
With President-elect Donald Trump looking on, the Black Knights blew a 14-point lead before quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw scored on a 9-yard run with 6:42 left to give Army the win it had been waiting for since 2001.
The Black Knights’ 14game losing streak was the longest by either academy in a series that began in 1890. Army (7-5) now trails, 60-50-7, in one of the nation’s historic rivalries.
“We heard for a long time here at West Point about the streak and all that,” Army coach Jeff Monken said. “It feels good to be a part of the team that put that to an end.”
Navy (9-4) had only one week to prepare for Army with a new quarterback, sophomore Zach Abey, who was making his first college start.
North Dakota State 36, South Dakota State 10: Quarterback Easton Stick threw for 188 yards and a score and rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns as North Dakota State controlled the clock for nearly 41 minutes to beat South Dakota State (9-4) in the FCS quarterfinals.
The Bison (12-1), winners of 22 straight postseason games, had 302 yards rushing and 490 total yards. King Frazier had 15 carries for 101 yards and Lance Dunn added 91 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Fickell leaving Ohio State for Cincinnati: Cincinnati hired Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell as its head coach, turning to the Buckeye state native to re-establish a program that has slipped in recent years.
He agreed to a six-year deal pending approval from the board of trustees, according to the school. He’ll continue to coach the Buckeyes through the playoffs.
“We all knew this day was coming,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said.
Fickell, a former Ohio State defensive lineman from Columbus, has been a coach with the Buckeyes since 2002. He spent one season as head coach in 2011, going 6-7.