Here’s our second edition of the watch list for the Kentuckiana Heisman Trophy, the mythical award we’ll give to a player from one of the four Football Bowl Subdivision teams (Louisville, Kentucky, Indiana, Western Kentucky) from the area at the end of the season.
There’s no change in the top two spots - and by the looks of things Nos. 1 and 2 may be interchangeable all season - but there is in the rest of the top five.
#1. Jordan Howard (Indiana) - The junior running back, who transferred in from UAB, continued his torrid start to the season last Saturday, when he rushed for 203 yards (on 31 carries) in the Hoosiers’ 38-35 win over visiting Western Kentucky. Through three games the Howard has an FBS-best 507 rushing yards on 78 carries. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound bulldozing back, who knocked a Florida International defender’s helmet off in Week 2, also ranks second in rushing yards per game at 169 (behind only LSU sophomore Leonard Fournette, who has to be one of the early favorites for the real Heisman) and 30th in yards per rush (6.5). Last week’s ranking: 1.
#2. Brandon Doughty (Western Kentucky) - The sixth-year senior quarterback threw for 484 yards and three touchdowns in a losing effort against Howard and the Hilltoppers. Doughty completed 35 of 46 passes, however, two of those incompletions were critical interceptions. Through three games he ranks third in the FBS in passing yards (1,134) and passing yards per game (378), 17th in passing efficiency (166.5) and 21st in passing yards per completion (13.83). Last week: 2.
#3. Nate Sudfeld (Indiana) - Through the first three games of the season Sud has been a stud for unbeaten IU. The senior quarterback completed 20 of 27 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns in the Hoosiers’ win over Western. He ranks sixth in the FBS in passing yards per completion (16.17), 13th in passing yards (938), 14th in passing yards per game (312.7) and 20th in passing efficiency (164.4). Last week: 4.
#4. Ricky (Jones) - The junior wide receiver is one of the biggest surprises so far this season after having just three catches for 58 yards all of last year. Saturday he had five receptions for 126 yards and a wide-open touchdown to raise his season totals to 16-368-2. Jones ranks eighth in the FBS in receiving yards and 11th in receiving yards per game (122.7). Last week: unranked.
#5. Tyler Higbee (Western Kentucky) - The 6-foot-6 senior tight end has been a big target for Doughty, and a big presence for the Hilltoppers so far. He was again Saturday, with 11 catches for 109 yards and a TD, in Western’s loss at IU. That performance raised his season totals to 22 catches for 299 yards and two touchdowns. After three weeks he’s tied for 10th in the FBS in receptions per game (7.3), tied for 20th in receiving yards and tied for 24th in receiving yards per game (99.7). Last week: unranked.
Dropped out: Stanley “Boom” Williams (Kentucky), Leon Allen (Western Kentucky).
Also on the radar: WR Taywan Taylor (WKU); S Josh Harvey-Clemons (Louisville); LB Keith Kelsey (Louisville); LB Josh Forrest (Kentucky).
Photo courtesy Indiana Hoosiers Football Facebook Page
