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Ernie Davis
Countdown to Kickoff: Heisman Trophy
8/12/2004 9:08:14 AM | Football
SYRACUSE, NY – Over forty years ago, Ernie Davis was honored as the 1961 Heisman Trophy Winner. To this day, he is still the only SU player to win the most prestigious individual award. However, that might change this year. Orange running back Walter Reyes is a candidate for the award. Reyes and the Orange take the field in 24 days to open the 2004 season at Purdue.
Ernie Davis completed his outstanding career in 1961. He led the Orange to the National Championship in 1959 and had surpassed the legendary Jim Brown as the SU all-time leading rusher. His Orange career ended in fashion when he edged out Ohio State’s Bill Ferguson in what was the closest vote in Heisman history (824 points to 771). Davis, who wore the legendary #44, was the first African-American to win the award.
Davis was selected first overall in the NFL Draft, however, his dreams of teaming with former SU running back Brown were never realized. He died in 1963 of leukemia before ever suiting up for one snap in the NFL.
Many other SU standouts have been named finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Jim Brown finished fifth in 1956, falling short to winner Paul Hornung. Floyd Little was a two-time finalist in 1965 and 1966, finishing in fifth place both times. Current Eagles All-Star Donovan McNabb also finished fifth in 1998.
In 1987, Don McPherson was the closest to receiving the award since Davis in 1961. McPherson had already received numerous awards, including the Golden Hemet College Player of the Year and the Maxwell Award, both presented to the college football player of the year. McPherson received 167 first-place votes and finished second to Notre Dame wide receiver Tim Brown.
Syracuse begins the season on Sunday, September 5 at Purdue. The game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ABC. SU then plays at Buffalo on September 11 at 6:00 p.m. The Orange kicks off the home portion of the schedule on Saturday, September 18 against Cincinnati at 12:00 p.m. SU will also host Rutgers (Oct. 2 at 12:00 p.m.), Florida State (Oct. 9), Connecticut (Oct. 30) and Pittsburgh (Nov. 6).
For ticket information and prices, call the Carrier Dome box office at 1-888-DOMETIX. Tickets are available at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B), by telephone (888-DOMETIX) or on the Internet www.dometix.com
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