Quick Kicks

Heisman watch

Ron Dayne, Wisconsin: The NCAA career rushing leader gained 1,834 yards this season. And, hey, he’s versatile he caught one pass for nine yards. Dick Rockne of the Seattle Times states an eloquent case for Dayne: “Because Ron Dayne of Wisconsin bettered Williams’ career rushing record and behaved himself, casting a vote for the big Badger was easy.

“Maybe it wouldn’t have been so easy if Florida State’s Peter Warrick had not become involved in a shopping-mall scam and been suspended for two games. When it comes to the Heisman Trophy, citizenship counts.”

Joe Hamilton, Georgia Tech, had 341 yards passing and another 94 on the ground Saturday against Georgia. If he only had a defense… . Tech’s opponents averaged 37 points in the Yellow Jackets’ three losses.

Shaun Alexander, Alabama: Perhaps the best all-purpose back in the nation this year. He rushed for 1,286 yards and 18 touchdowns. He had 322 receiving yards and four touchdowns. But he can’t pass - he was 0 for 1.

Drew Brees, Purdue: 3,531 passing yards and 21 touchdowns.

Aggies prevail in face of hardships

After all the grief, Texas A&M finally took some small solace.

“To lose our fellow students is hard to take,” cornerback Jason Webster said. “But with every trial there is a rainbow.”

In as emotionally charged game as they will ever play, the No. 24 Aggies rallied from a 16-6 halftime deficit to beat No. 7 Texas 20-16 at Kyle Field on Friday.

This has been an unrelentingly grim season for the Aggies, even before the Nov. 18 deaths of 12 people who died building the traditional campus bonfire.

Coach R.C. Slocum’s son underwent heart surgery in April. In June, quarterbacks coach Ray Dorr was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, but he kept coaching.

On Nov. 11, they defeated Missouri and started getting ready for their biggest rival, the Longhorns.

Then the bonfire tumbled. Eleven students and a recent graduate died and 27 people were injured. Many players went immediately to the scene to help remove fallen logs in the search for those trapped.

The team found its strength against Texas. The Aggies got the early lead, but a bobbled extra point try and a fumble by quarterback Randy McCown helped the Longhorns take a 16-6 halftime lead.

Ja’Mar Toombs gave the Aggies hope with a 9-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and the Aggies went ahead with 5:02 to play when McCown hit a leaping Matt Bumgardner in the end zone.

“We were predestined to win this game,” Webster said. “We knew it would be tough, but we kept executing the calls and I just felt confident that we were going to win the game.”

And the beat goes on

At Alliance, Ohio, Chuck Moore rushed for four touchdowns and three-time defending national champion Mount Union held off Augustana 42-33 in the second round of the Division III playoffs Saturday, despite having the ball for under 12 minutes.

It was the Purple Raiders’ 53rd consecutive victory, extending their NCAA all-divisions record.

This week’s Division I-A stars 300 yards passing

Tim Rattay, LaTech: 405 (3TDs)

Chad Pennington, Marshall: 378 (3TDs)

Quincy Carter, Georgia: 345 (2TDs)

Joe Hamilton, GaTech: 341 (4TDs)

Todd Husak, Stanford: 334 (2TDs)

Marc Bulger, WVirginia: 331 (4TDs)

Mike Moschetti, Colorado: 317 (3TDs)

Sean Stein, New Mexico: 300 (2TDs) 200 yards rushing

Avon Cobourne, WVirginia: 210 (3TDs) 150 yards receiving

Troy Walters, Stanford: 183 (2TDs)

Dez White, Georgia Tech: 165 (1TDs)