QB Troy Smith - 2006 Heisman Winner (Official Thread)

[NJ-Buckeye]

what I like best about the Troy Smith (and Antonio Smith) stories.. it tells all recruits... If you have it.. we will find it... and you will play...

I don't think many schools can say that... too many seem to promise top recruits playing time... versus earning it... and we'll find you

[NFBuck]

Thank you Troy Smith.

[BuckBojangles]

Troy's proven it to me. He's the best OSU QB ever. I don't care about the Heisman. He beat Michigan three years in a row and just came up big again and again. I really can't say enough about the guy. Troy, I've been with you since the start. Way to go Baby! Not bad for a running quarterback, huh.

[crazybuckfan40]

Best QB in tOSU history...

[Buckskin86]

Troy Smith's case for Heisman
Updated 11/19/2006 8:50 PM ET E-mail | Save | Print | Reprints & Permissions | Subscribe to stories like this

By Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY
COLUMBUS, Ohio ? The remarkable rise and transformation of Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, who led his team back to the national championship game with a victory against Michigan on Saturday, in five chapters.

Chapter One: When Smith arrived on campus from Cleveland in 2002, his position was listed as "athlete," not quarterback. "With my situation, any tag was cool. I was happy to be here, and it didn't matter to me. It could have said 'defensive back.' Who cares? Now it's quarterback," says Smith, the last player to sign in his OSU class.

During his redshirt season, he was a tailback and kick returner on the scout team and prepared the Buckeyes defense for Miami's Willis McGahee by simulating the running back during practice for the national title game.

Chapter Two: As a freshman, Smith played in 10 games as a backup running back and kick returner; he didn't throw one pass.

Chapter Three: Halfway through 2004, after starting QB Justin Zwick was injured, Smith led the Buckeyes to a 4-1 finish. Known mainly as a runner, he led the Buckeyes to a comeback win against Michigan with a long scoring drive in the fourth quarter and then did the same the following year. But just before the Buckeyes left for the Alamo Bowl, Smith was suspended for two games for accepting $500 from a booster.

Chapter Four: Smith sat out the first game of the 2005 season, didn't start in the Buckeyes loss to Texas the following week, then took over in week three. During the second half of his junior season, he developed into one of the nation's top passers and led the Buckeyes to a 10-2 record, a share of the Big Ten championship and was named Fiesta Bowl MVP after beating Notre Dame.

Chapter Five: In 14 months, Smith, the player who once let his team down, became the leader who raised them up. "When you think of Troy, the first thing that comes to my mind is leadership," coach Jim Tressel says.

In Ohio State's 42-39 victory against Michigan on Saturday, Smith finished 29-of-41 for a season high 316 yards and 4 TDs, which matched his career best. He hit eight different receivers and kept Michigan's defense, ranked No. 3 entering the game, off balance.

Those who might want to quibble may point to the interception that Smith threw in the third quarter, a turnover that resulted in a Michigan field goal. Two snaps were also muffed in the second half but the first one was high (the turnover led to a Michigan TD) and the second one got caught in a divot, center Doug Datish said. But after a shaky third quarter, Smith found his composure again when the Buckeyes needed him the most. His 13-yard pass to Brian Robiskie near the far left of the end zone with 5:38 remaining proved to be the winning touchdown.

With a 25-2 record as a starter, including 19 consecutive victories, the 6-1, 215-pound senior has played his best against the Buckeyes' biggest rival. He became the first Ohio State quarterback since Tippy Dye in the mid 1930s to beat Michigan three times and the first Ohio State player to throw four TD passes in one game in the series.

No matter what Smith does in the national title game, his place in Ohio State history is secure, thanks to a 3-0 record against Michigan and his 1,051 yards of total offense in his three starts.

This season, Smith has thrown for 30 TDs ? an Ohio State single-season record ? and completed 67% of his passes with just five interceptions for 2,507 yards. His closest Heisman competitor, Notre Dame's Brady Quinn, has 32 TDS and completed 65.1% of his passes with just five interceptions for 3,004 yards.

Because Smith adeptly sidesteps most questions about the Heisman, it's up to others to tout his worthiness. Offensive tackle Kirk Barton: "Twelve and 0, best quarterback in the country, beat Michigan, beat all the rivals. The bigger question is, 'Why shouldn't he?' "

Tressel: "Well, I would think he clinched the Heisman Trophy. I don't think there'd be any question about that. I think he's the best player in college football."

Posted 11/19/2006 8:21 PM ET

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/colle...-heisman_x.htm

[jwinslow]

OSU Picture Archive

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Troy Smith #10 of the Ohio State Buckeyes smiles as he points during warm- ups against the Michigan Wolverines November 18, 2006 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)



Good snapshot of the chaos battle behind the line.

Heisman Trophy candidate Troy Smith of Ohio State settled into the pocket and completed 29 of 41 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns against Michigan. (Photo: Bill Frakes/SI)



Great play by Troy... this scramble set up the Robo catch and run.

(KIRTHMON F. DOZIER/DFP)



Quarterback Troy Smith #10 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws a pass against the Michigan Wolverines November 18, 2006 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 42-39. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)