Heisman Trophy – The Sports Fan Project

Fan Teaser Solution: Week 202

September 6, 2026September 4, 2026DouglasTHillLeave a comment

**^{As the college football season begins we felt it apt to ask:}**
**^{Who’s this fella holding the hardware?}**

Tony Dorsett entered the college ranks just in time for freshmen eligibility. The NCAA began allowing freshmen to compete in 1972. Dorsett arrived on campus at the University of Pittsburgh in the Fall of 1973 and immediately rushed for 1,586 yards and 11 touchdowns, becoming the first freshman to earn All-America status since Army’s Doc Blanchard in 1944.

It was the first of four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons and four straight All-American selections for the Beaver County, PA, native. During his senior season he eclipsed Ohio State Archie Griffin‘s all-time college rushing mark (5,217 yards) and finished his career with 6,082 yards, still good for fifth best all-time.

It all culminated his senior season when he rushed for 1,948 yards and 21 touchdowns, all while leading the Panthers to their first National Championship in 40 seasons when they beat the University of Georgia, 27-3, in the Sugar Bowl to complete a 12-0 season.

For his efforts, Dorsett was named the Walter Camp Award and Maxwell Award recipient in addition to winning the prestigious Heisman Trophy. Dorsett is still the only Panthers’ winner of the Heisman.

The Dallas Cowboys traded four draft picks to acquire the No. 2 pick in the 1977 NFL Draft from the Seattle Seahawks to select Dorsett. His $1.1 million contract made him the first million dollar Cowboy. The Cowboys went on to defeat the Denver Broncos, 27-10, in Super Bowl XII that season, making Dorsett the first player in football history to win a National Championship and Super Bowl in consecutive years.

Dorsett retired following the 1988 season with the second most rushing yards (12,306) in NFL history (Walter Payton with 12,739). He’s a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

Tony Dorsett with his Heisman Trophy — **^{The University of Pittsburgh’s Tony Dorsett poses with his 1976 Heisman Trophy. Dorsett is still the only Pitt Panther to win the award. (Photo from the Associated Press)}**

^{Some highlights from Dorsett’s final regular-season game as a Panther against rival Penn State.}

Just to review, The Fan Teaser was the creation of former Ann Arbor News Sports Editor Geoff Larcom. Longtime friend and fellow Ann Arbor News alum, Pat Schutte, took it to heights previously unknown. We aim to keep it alive here at The Sports Fan Project. The cropped photo and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.

The Fan Teaser: Week 103 Solution

October 13, 2024October 8, 2024DouglasTHillLeave a comment

^{Another Fan Teaser Doubleplay! IYKYK this pair of decorated 20-somethings.}

In honor of this week’s Red River Showdown (Oklahoma vs. Texas in the Cotton Bowl) we’re turning the clock back to the 1970s when a pair of running backs – both wearing No. 20 and both hailing from east Texas – ran rampant through the old Southwest Conference.

First on the scene was the University of Texas’ Earl Campbell, from Tyler, TX. The 1977 Heisman Trophy winner and consensus All-American, Campbell finished his time in Austin with 4,443 yards rushing and 40 rushing touchdowns. He became the No. 1 pick in the 1978 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers.

^{Earl Campbell (left) and Billy Sims made life tough on Southwest Conference defenses during the 1970s. (Photos from the University of Texas and Oklahoma University)}

Meanwhile, Billy Sims (from Hooks, TX) matriculated Oklahoma University and though he was slow to get started, by the time he was a junior (1978 Heisman Trophy winner) and senior (1979 Heisman runner-up) he was hard to stop. Sims left Oklahoma with 3,813 yards rushing and 48 rushing touchdowns during his 4-plus years on campus. He became the No. 1 pick in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.

For what it’s worth, Campbell finished 1-2-1 in Red River Showdown games and Sims 2-2-1.

^{A compilation of Earl Campbell highlights from his time at the University of Texas. The man was a beast of a running back.}

^{A compilation of Billy Sims highlights from his time at the University of Oklahoma. As a bonus, enjoy plenty of Keith Jackson audio in the background:-)}

Just to review, The Fan Teaser was the creation of former Ann Arbor News Sports Editor Geoff Larcom. Longtime friend and fellow Ann Arbor News alum, Pat Schutte, took it to heights previously unknown. We aim to keep it alive here at The Sports Fan Project. The cropped photo and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.

The Fan Teaser: Week 58 Solution

December 3, 2023December 2, 2023DouglasTHillLeave a comment

**^{And then … poof … he was gone. Who is it and why did he “disappear?”}**

That shin, that calf, the impeccable lace work on the cleats … yep, it’s University of Southern California’s all-everything tailback, Reggie Bush.

Bush had a tremendous 2005 season (from which this photo was taken by Peter Read Miller), amassing over 2,200 total yards from scrimmage that junior season (1,740 rushing and 481 receiving). All totaled, he accounted for 222.3 yards per game that season when his punt and kick returns were factored in.

Bush was named the Heisman Tropher winner, topping Texas quarterback Vince Young and USC teammate, Matt Leinart. Then, a year later, reports circulated that Bush and his family had received financial gifts from a sports agent who later sued the family and cooperated with an NCAA investigation. Ultimately, Bush’s time at USC was redacted and his Heisman Trophy vacated and the Trojans’ program placed on four years probation and their scholarship allocation reduced by 10 per season over three years.

^{A compilation some of Reggie Bush’s collegiate highlights.}

Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.

The Fan Teaser: Week 9 Solution

December 11, 2022December 12, 2022DouglasTHillLeave a comment

**^{The only thing bigger than his collar was his smile. Went on to have a successful}**
**^{NFL career. Once teamed with another Heisman winner in the same backfield.}**
**^{Name ’em both for an extra helping of Primanti Bros. fries.}**

I have one keen recollection of Tony Dorsett‘s Heisman Trophy-winning 1976 season. It was January 1, 1977 and Dorsett’s Pittsburgh Panthers played in the Sugar Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs. To be clear, I remember nothing about Dorsett’s 202-yard performance in that game or the fact that Pitt won, 24-7, to complete an 11-0 season and earn the consensus national championship. Nope, what I remember most is that the rest of my family went to bed before me (then a 9-year-old) and I stayed up to watch the game. Not sure I made it to the end, but I distinctly remember being responsible for turning the TV off and the lights out before going to bed. It was the first time I ever recall staying up after my parents for a sporting event.

In the event you want to enjoy a journey in the way-back machine, here’s the ABC telecast of the Sugar Bowl, featuring Keith Jackson and Ara Parseghian on the call.

Dorsett went on to the second pick in the 1977 NFL Draft (Ricky Bell went No. 1 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and over 12 seasons had a Hall of Fame career (the only 1977 draftee enshrined in Canton). In Dallas, Dorsett joined fellow Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach in the backfield and helped the Cowboys win the Super Bowl, 27-10, over the Denver Broncos. Dorsett also was in the same backfield as another Heisman Trophy winner, Herschel Walker, during the 1986 and 1987 seasons.