Heisman Eludes USC Pair

USC quarterback Matt Leinart and wide receiver Mike Williams combined on 87 pass plays this season, including 16 touchdowns.

But on their way to leading the top-ranked Trojans to the Rose Bowl and a possible share of the national championship, the sophomores might have knocked each other out of individual runs for the Heisman Trophy.

Neither player was among the four announced as finalists Wednesday.

Oklahoma quarterback Jason White, Pittsburgh receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning and Michigan running back Chris Perry were invited to New York for Saturday’s announcement of the 69th winner at the Yale Club.

Leinart, a redshirt sophomore who has passed for 35 touchdowns, said he was not disappointed.

“I didn’t want to get my hopes up -- those guys deserve to go,” Leinart said. “Right now, all I’m thinking about is winning this last game.”

Last year, five players were invited to the ceremony, including USC’s Carson Palmer, who became the first Trojan quarterback to win the award as college football’s most outstanding player.

Tim Henning, associate director for the Heisman Trophy, said the number of finalists in the modern era has varied from as few as three, which last occurred in 1993 when Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward won, to as many as six, which last occurred in 1994 when Colorado running back Rashaan Salaam was the winner.

There were potentially 922 voters this year, including 870 media representatives from six regions of the country, 51 former Heisman winners, and one fan vote as part of an automobile company’s sponsorship promotion.

Voters were asked to designate three players. The first choice receives three points, the second choice receives two and the third choice one.

“An independent accounting firm tells us the names of the players that are getting the most votes, before a gap that normally occurs between the large-percentage vote earners and the next guy,” Henning said.

Henning said he did not know how many votes Leinart or Williams received

Williams said earlier this week that he was not interested in awards.

“My whole focus was to be a part of what we’re doing right now,” Williams said. “Coach [Pete] Carroll ... wanted me to be part of rebuilding this program. And I’m part of it, and that was my total focus.”

Williams said his association with Palmer’s Heisman last year would suffice.

“I’ve already played with a Heisman Trophy winner,” he said. “Being a part of that, that’s enough for me.”

White, a senior named the player of the year by the Associated Press on Wednesday, led Oklahoma to a 12-1 record and a berth in the Sugar Bowl despite a loss to Kansas State last Saturday in the Big 12 Conference championship game. He passed for 3,744 yards and 40 touchdowns.

Fitzgerald, a sophomore, caught 87 passes for 1,595 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Manning, a senior, passed for 3,341 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Perry, a senior who will play against USC in the Rose Bowl, rushed for 1,589 yards, caught 42 passes for 366 more, and scored 19 touchdowns.