All-star QB quietly accepts kudos and keeps on fighting
By Kristi Odom / STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
Despite the fact that everyone around him says "Heisman" in every other sentence, Hamilton focuses on one game at a time, and it seems to work.
Among the various sporting events the city of Atlanta has to offer, the hottest ticket in town is clearly entry into Bobby Dodd Stadium to see the 7th ranked Yellow Jackets play.
The Jackets have clearly generated excitement on campus, as evidenced by tickets being gone by noon on Monday, but they have also gotten a lot of publicity on the local and national scenes.
One of the biggest reasons for this interest has been the remarkable play of Heisman Trophy candidate Joe Hamilton. Since the end of last season, Tech fans have been talking up Hamilton for the Hesiman and so far this season the senior has done nothing to dispel those talks. The numbers that he has put up this season have been phenomenal. He leads the nation in passing efficiency with a mark of 202.4, comfortably ahead of second place Ben Leard of Auburn who has a 175.7 mark.
He has completed 72 percent of his passes throwing for 10 touchdowns with just two interceptions and is also fourth in the nation in total offense with 329.5 yards per game. He has led Tech's offense to 43.5 points per game and 517.3 yards per game, both tops in the nation.
"We have the mentality that every time we touch the ball, we're going to get in the end zone," stated Hamilton. "Whatever approach I can take, or whatever I can do to make that come true, I'm going to do it."
However, even more important to Hamilton's Heisman campaign have been his two nationally televised performances. Putting up big numbers over a season are key to making a Heisman run, but it is equally important to perform well in the big games that are nationally televised, the games the Heisman voters can watch.
Hamilton had a huge game in Tech's nationally televised contest with Florida State on September 11, shredding the much heralded Seminoles defense, completing 22 of 25 passes for 387 yards and 4 touchdowns. That performance convinced the national media that Hamilton was a legitimate Heisman contender.
After an impressive performance in a win over Central Florida, Hamilton got another opportunity under the national spotlight last week against Maryland. With the eyes of all the Heisman voters to himself, Hamilton seized the moment with another virtuoso performance.
Despite throwing his first two interceptions of the year, Hamilton threw for 387 yards and three touchdowns, and added another score on an impressive 41-yard touchdown run. His 474 total yards set a new school record. Hamilton threw for 257 yards in the first half alone, setting a new school record for passing yards in a half.
If Hamilton didn't have the nation's attention after the FSU game, he certainly did after this one. This week, Hamilton moved up to number two on just about every Heisman watch, trailing only Florida State's Peter Warrick.
Despite Hamilton's rise, Warrick is still the clear front-runner in the Heisman race and has a sizable lead on his ACC rival. Being the best player on the number one team and making big plays every week have helped his cause. But Hamilton can still snag the Heisman if he continues to pile up big numbers and Warrick stumbles a bit. The distraction Warrick currently faces due to police investigations of alleged shoplifting may help Hamilton. Warrick may miss FSU's big game with Miami this weekend which will hurt his cause as a game like that is a great opportunity to impress voters.
Furthermore, if the probe continues, Warrick may suffer some negative publicity which could also hurt.
As for his own publicity, Hamilton is certainly getting enough to make a charge. He currently has a weekly diary on ESPN's Sportszone web page and was featured in this week's issue of Sports Illustrated. In addition, Hamilton has been mentioned for the Heisman by various prominent media personalities, including ABC's John Saunders and the Boston Globe's Bob Ryan. Hamilton's got a lot on his side and if he continues to perform as he has been, he could sneak away with college football's most illustrious individual honor.
Warrick may be the clear favorite at the moment, but anything can happen. Remember, nobody expected Charles Woodson to take the Heisman away from Peyton Manning at this point in 1997.
Hamilton has remained humble despite all the hype surrounding him as he is quick to give credit to his teammates.
"It's a team award. I think the team understands that I've been put in a position to be recognized for this great award, but they also understand that if I were to win it, its going to be because of them."
