Quick Kicks

Heisman watch

Shaun Alexander, Alabama: Week after week, Alexander continues to gain just a little more momentum. His 200 yards Saturday against Mississippi’s No. 2-in-the-nation rushing defense is a major plus in his bid to become Alabama’s first Heisman winner. Alabama’s top vote-getters have been David Palmer (third in 1993), Lee Roy Jordan (fourth in 1962) and Johnny Musso (fourth in 1971). Note: Auburn has had two Heisman winners (Pat Sullivan and Bo Jackson).

Drew Brees, Purdue: He passed for a season-high 509 yards and five touchdowns and ran for another TD Saturday. To top it off, his numbers came against the No. 5 team in the nation as the Boilermakers upset Michigan State 52-28. A great midseason boost for a Heisman candidacy.

Joe Hamilton, Georgia Tech: Although Hamilton continues to post great numbers, a second consecutive close call against a weak opponent has to hurt a little bit. Still, he was 23 of 34 for 324 yards and two touchdowns as No.8 Georgia Tech avoided a loss with a late score in a 38-31 victory over Duke (1-5). Last week, he rallied the troops to an overtime victory over North Carolina (1-5).

Ron Dayne, Wisconsin: How would you like to begin the season as the Heisman favorite, then discover that your Old School coach isn’t going to let you win it? He doesn’t get to play in the second half against weak teams and, quite naturally, when he goes all the way against a tough team, he doesn’t get the 178 yards he now needs to average to break Ricky Williams’ record. Goodbye Heisman.

Peter Warrick, Florida State: Every game he misses while his shoplifting case is sorted out hurts his season stats, not to mention his reputation with the voters.

Heisman Trivia: Has a Heisman winner ever won the award without getting the most first-place votes?

Sooners step aside

Now Mount Union can go back to concentrating on what it does best - win national championships.

Mount Union defeated Otterbein 44-20 Saturday for the Purple Raiders’ 48th consecutive victory, surpassing Oklahoma’s 42-year-old all-division mark of 47 in a row.

Mount Union, a 2,000-student school in Alliance, Ohio, has won 70 of its last 71 games.

Next on the list of longest streaks are Washington, with 39 in a row from 1908-1914; Augustana, with 37 (1983-85); and Yale with 37 twice (1887-89 and 1890-93).

Sloppy

The first 3-1/2 minutes of the second half between Arkansas and South Carolina was a comedy of errors with six turnovers on 10 plays.

Winning is never too routine

Penn State gave Joe Paterno career win No. 314, tying him for third place with Amos Alonzo Stagg for most victories among major college coaches. Bear Bryant has 323, and Pop Warner 319.

Florida State’s victory over Wake Forest marked the 299th career coaching victory for Bobby Bowden. He’ll go for No. 300 Saturday against Clemson, which is coached by his son Tommy.

Alums shown no favoritism

Illinois has lost its last six homecoming games.

Division I-A stars

300 yards passing

Drew Brees, Purdue: 509 (5TDs)

Tim Lester, W.Mich: 407 (3TDs)

Tim Rattay, LaTech: 406 (4TDs)

Patrick Ramsey, Tulane: 396 (5TDs)

Chris Redman, Louisville: 385 (4TDs)

Randy McCown, Texas A&M: 362 (2TDs)

Chris Weinke, Florida St.: 354 (2TDs)

Walt Church, E.Mich: 347 (3TDs)

200 yards rushing

Thomas Jones, Virginia: 221 (3TDs)

Shaun Alexander, Alabama: 214 (3TDs)

Eric McCoo, Penn State: 211 (0TDs)

Trung Canidate, Arizona: 202 (2TDs)

200 yards receiving

Chris Daniels, Purdue: 301 (3TDs)

Trivia answer: Yes, twice. Paul Hornung in 1956 and Billy Sims in 1978. The Heisman voters list their top three players, with the vote-getters receiving three points for first, two points for second and one point for third.