Garrett Wolfe For Heisman!

[Neuqua]

What You Need to Know About Wolfe...

Currently averaging 176 ypg for his career, which would be TOPS in NCAA HISTORY.
1181 yards in the month of September
3rd player ever to rush for 1000k yards in first five games
236.2 yards per game this year, 11 touchdowns
If GW maintains this pace and NIU go to the MACC and bowl game, he'd have 3307 yards rushing. Just let that sink in for a second. THREE THOUSAND
Wolfe averages more yards/game than 104 of the 119 D1A schools. (This was before the Ball State game)
Wolfe owns more touchdowns than 95 D1A schools. (Also before the Ball State game)
Garrett Wolfe became the first opposing player to run for 100 yards at Ohio Stadium since Wisconsin's Anthony Davis rushed for 168 yards on 39 carries Oct. 9, 2004. Wolfe is just the third opposing player to reach 100 yards rushing at Ohio Stadium since the 2001 season. Wolfe also had five catches for 114 yards.
Garrett Wolfe has averaged 185 yards rushing against Big Ten schools the last two years

Those are the kinds of numbers only seen in NCAA 07 console games!

MUNCIE, Ind. - Lightning that caused a 52-minute weather delay was not the only storm to roll through Saturday night at Ball State. Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe rumbled through the record books for 353 yards en route to setting an NCAA mark for most rushing yards through five games (1,181), breaking his own NIU single-game rushing mark, and becoming the school's career touchdown leader as the Huskies posted a 40-28 victory over the Cardinals.

Wolfe dashed 51 yards for the game's opening score at 9:33 of the first quarter before Ball State countered with a 19-yard scoring pass from Nate Davis to Darius Hill that knotted the score at seven late in the first quarter before play was halted because of threatening weather conditions.

After the game resumed, Ball State took a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter courtesy of a scoring pass from Davis to Michael Steinhaus. The Huskies even the game before halftime on Phil Horvath's 16-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Perez.

Wolfe became NIU's career touchdown leader with a 48-yard scamper in the third quarter that put his team ahead 20-14. Following the score, kicker Chris Nendick saw his consecutive PAT streak end at 108.

The Huskies tacked on a 24-yard field goal from Nendick and an 11-yard score on a pass from Horvath to Brandon Davis to extend the margin to 30-14 by the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth, Wolfe added his third touchdown of the contest on a 53-yard run.

Horvath completed 20 of 27 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Brothers Britt and Brandon Davis each posted career-high nights with 115 and 61 yards respectively.

NIU earned its third consecutive win to improve to 3-2 ahead of next week's nationally-televised Sunday night game at Miami (Ohio).


2006 Season Videos
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And my personal favorite:
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More to come...

[k0ruptr]

I'd vote for him, but I doubt he wins without being in a major program.

[st.cronin]

It's a cute idea. But, realistically, I have to think he's still behind John Stocco, among others.

[k0ruptr]

on second thought, he might get an "invite" to the presentation if he continues, you know one of those invites that absolutely has no chance, but they had to bring him just because

[Poli]

Like Randy Moss, right? :)

[cthomer5000]

Ray Rice for Heisman y'all.

[Neuqua]

If Wolfe isn't invited to Manhattan, it would be an absolute disgrace.

[Poli]

Jim Jensen for Heisman, yo.

Oops, wrong universe.

[k0ruptr]

Colt Brennan for heisman...

[JeeberD]

Johnnie Lee Higgins for Heisman...

[duckman]

Adrian Peterson for Heisman...

[kingnebwsu]

Wolfe is definitely top 5. He had one top-25 opponent this year, Ohio State, and he absolutely shredded them.

I hope he at least is a finalist.

[PackerFanatic]

It's a cute idea. But, realistically, I have to think he's still behind John Stocco, among others.

Woah...heh.

[Joe]

tom brady

[Neuqua]

I guess when NIU goes to Iowa City in a few weeks, it'll be Garrett's last real chance to make an impression on the national audience, including, here at FOFC.

[timmynausea]

Here's how I percieve the Heisman race right now:

1. Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State - If you watch ESPN for more than a minute or two, someone will mention "Heisman front runner Troy Smith."

2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma - The game against Texas this week will be huge. He has been in the spotlight for longer than anyone else in the race.

3. Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia - The hype really started after the Sugar Bowl, and then the Thursday night blowout of Maryland a couple weeks ago was like a primetime "Slaton for Heisman" ad.

4. Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn - He already missed a game this year, which will hurt his cause, but as long as Auburn keeps winning, he'll be in the mix.

5. Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech - The best WR in the country, he had huge games against Virginia and Virginia Tech. Who knows what he'd do with a more consistent QB.

6. Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan State - Ok not really.

After the top 5 there are a lot of guys who could make a move to really get into the race including Wolfe, Mike Hart or Mario Manningham at Michigan, Chris Leak if Florida keeps winning, or even Ray Rice at Rutgers if they knock off Louisville or WVU, and probably some others I'm not thinking of.

If he stays anywhere near his current production, Wolfe will continue to move up as these guys lose games and drop out. I think there is a good chance he could get invited, but he doesn't have much of a chance of actually winning.

[Neuqua]

If he continues his pace (which is obviously unlikely, but just hypothetically), he would end the season shattering Barry Sanders' rushing yardage record. He'd be the first ever to reach 3,000 yards. If he can do all that, doesn't he pretty much have to be invited to Manhattan atleast?

His not standing a chance to win is terribly dissapointiing because he deserves it as much (if not more) than anyone else on the list but if he isn't rewarded for the outstanding season he's had by being able to get some more national attention by being in the room with the other 4 heisman candidates then that would be an injustice.

[timmynausea]

If he cracks 3,000, he could actually win. A lot of it depends on how much hype/publicity he gets in the process, though. There's a long way to go still.

[Joe]

Michael Bush and Brian Brohm would have been candidates too, but alas...

[DeToxRox]

I think come Heisman time you'll see AP, Slaton, Hart, Wolfe, Smith in New York. It's awfully hard for a WR to make it, and that's on a great team. CJ is probably the best talent in the land but that doesn't mean Heisman. Kenny Irons will fall victim of the Auburn bad luck and not get an invite even though Auburn (in my opinion) will be undefeated. Slaton, Hart and Smith are there because of impressive stats and (again my opinion) being on the top teams. Wolfe will be there for cracking 2500 yards and AP will be there for being the best RB in America and salvaging what could've been an awful OU season.

[Cuckoo]

...salvaging what could've been an awful OU season.

Methinks maybe you're reading too much ESPN and not watching OU play. ;)

Thompson has actually been 50 times better than Bomar was last year. I figured Bomar would improve this season, but I don't know if I would've expected Bomar to play as well as Thompson has.

Troy Smith is a very good player, but I continue to be amazed by how he's getting the props from everywhere, even when his performance doesn't back it up. He's even getting more of a "benefit of the doubt" than Brady Quinn, which really surprises me. Quinn has a mediocre game and he drops. Peterson rushes for 200 yards but OU loses in a controversial game, and the talking heads say his campaign takes a blow. Huh?

I think Wolfe looks really good and is not just doing it against poor defenses. If he continues as he has, he definitely deserves a trip to NY.

[DeToxRox]

Methinks maybe you're reading too much ESPN and not watching OU play. ;)

Thompson has actually been 50 times better than Bomar was last year. I figured Bomar would improve this season, but I don't know if I would've expected Bomar to play as well as Thompson has.

Troy Smith is a very good player, but I continue to be amazed by how he's getting the props from everywhere, even when his performance doesn't back it up. He's even getting more of a "benefit of the doubt" than Brady Quinn, which really surprises me. Quinn has a mediocre game and he drops. Peterson rushes for 200 yards but OU loses in a controversial game, and the talking heads say his campaign takes a blow. Huh?

I think Wolfe looks really good and is not just doing it against poor defenses. If he continues as he has, he definitely deserves a trip to NY.

I do like watching OU play. I didn't phrase it right ha and in fact I think OU will win the RRS Saturday but regardless of that, AP is just fun to watch. He's right behind Johnson imho for most freakish player in the Nation.

As far as Smith goes, he really hasn't had great stats all things considered but he's getting VY hangover which is great for him even though he isn't close to the player VY is. I still think he's good but he and Hart will cancel one another out but I feel both will be there.

[Cuckoo]

I do like watching OU play. I didn't phrase it right ha and in fact I think OU will win the RRS Saturday but regardless of that, AP is just fun to watch. He's right behind Johnson imho for most freakish player in the Nation.

That's cool. Hey, I'm not disputing the fact that he's a big part of OU's offense this year. I've just been really pleasantly surprised by the rest of them. Thompson has looked good. The o-line, while occasionally suspect in the running game, has been fairly solid overall. And the receivers are top notch, in my opinion. Now, if OU's defense would just live up to billing. :)

As for the RRS, I won't thread-jack too much. I'm still trying to build my opinion for that one. With what OU has shown, Texas should be able to run all day. And Texas definitely wins in the trenches, on both sides I think. But I'm not sold on Colt McCoy, and I think OU has to make him win it for Texas.

[DeToxRox]

That's cool. Hey, I'm not disputing the fact that he's a big part of OU's offense this year. I've just been really pleasantly surprised by the rest of them. Thompson has looked good. The o-line, while occasionally suspect in the running game, has been fairly solid overall. And the receivers are top notch, in my opinion. Now, if OU's defense would just live up to billing. :)

As for the RRS, I won't thread-jack too much. I'm still trying to build my opinion for that one. With what OU has shown, Texas should be able to run all day. And Texas definitely wins in the trenches, on both sides I think. But I'm not sold on Colt McCoy, and I think OU has to make him win it for Texas.

If AP runs for 200 like he did as a frosh in this game I think he's locked up the Heisman (assuming OU wins out even if they lose to UT).

[henry296]

The people who get invited to the ceremony is entirely based on the early votes. If he is in the Top 5, he will probably get an invite. If not, he can watch on TV with the rest of us.

[Neuqua]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/football/ncaa/2006/10/five-things-we-learned-this-weekend.html


FIVE THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED THIS WEEKEND
1) That the true Heisman front-runner right now is Garrett Wolfe. After piling up an astounding 353 yards against Ball State on Saturday, the Northern Illinois tailback has run for 1,181 yards and 11 touchdowns in five games. He’s averaging 236.2 yards per game; Barry Sanders’ single-season record is 238.9. And you can’t say he hasn’t played anyone, either -- Wolfe did amass 285 rushing/receiving yards against the No. 1 team in the country.

UPDATE: I just learned that Wolfe has rushed for more yards the first five games than any player in Division I-A history.

[stevew]

So, this Wolfe guy is exceptionally small, but he does seem to be a player. His best NFL chance is probably as a Brian Mitchell type? I'm guessing that if he ended up playing in Canada, he could be great there.

[JonInMiddleGA]

What You Need to Know About Wolfe...

That he plays all but two of his games against teams that most people aren't sure are Div I or Div II.

If he has a great day against Iowa at the end of October to pair with his numbers against Ohio State in the season opener, then maybe he gets an invitation to NY. But winning the Heisman? I just don't see that as even a remote possibility, there'll be too many questions about the quality of the competition.

[Joe]

maybe he would win the heisman if he breaks Barry's TD record. He has 11, so only 27 more to go.

[Butter]

That he plays all but two of his games against teams that most people aren't sure are Div I or Div II.

If he has a great day against Iowa at the end of October to pair with his numbers against Ohio State in the season opener, then maybe he gets an invitation to NY. But winning the Heisman? I just don't see that as even a remote possibility, there'll be too many questions about the quality of the competition.

""

[Neuqua]

Heisman Pundit Gives Some Love... (http://heismanpundit.com/?postid=1138)

The Case For Garrett Wolfe
October 2, 2006

I am usually not in the business of endorsing candidates at HP.

My modus operandi here is to analyze the Heisman race as it is, not how I think it should be.

However, I am beginning to recognize that Garrett Wolfe's candidacy represents a unique opportunity for Heisman voters to dig down deep and honor the best player, even if he does go to Northern Illinois.

This year, Wolfe has a chance to do something really special. So far, he has amassed 1,181 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging an astounding 9.3 yards per carry.

He is on pace to rush for 2,832 yards and 26 TDs in 12 games. Should his team make the MAC title game and go on to a bowl, he will likely become the first player ever to surpass 3,000 rushing yards in a season.

When Barry Sanders ran for 2,628 yards in 1988, I thought that it was a record that would never be challenged. But Wolfe is well on his way to doing just that.

That, folks, is just incredible. I don't care if he does play in the MAC. So did Ben Roethlisberger and he turned out to be pretty good.

As we all know, Wolfe had 171 rushing yards against No. 1 Ohio State and 148 against Michigan last year. He will have a crack at it against Iowa, too.

In other words, he's legit. If it were so easy to rush for that many yards in the MAC, then someone would have done it a long time ago, right?

The Heisman voters need to recognize that if Wolfe beats this record, then he is the most outstanding player in the country, bar none.

[Dr. Sak]

That he plays all but two of his games against teams that most people aren't sure are Div I or Div II.

If he has a great day against Iowa at the end of October to pair with his numbers against Ohio State in the season opener, then maybe he gets an invitation to NY. But winning the Heisman? I just don't see that as even a remote possibility, there'll be too many questions about the quality of the competition.

Can't the same be said for Slaton and WVU so far?

[Easy Mac]

Can't the same be said for Slaton and WVU so far?

no, everyone knows they play D-3 teams

[JonInMiddleGA]

Can't the same be said for Slaton and WVU so far?

Just about. Looks like only four teams on their schedule that I believe the average person might identify for sure as Div I. Difference is that little "#4" beside West Virginia's name.

As a sad sidenote, at least two of those four are really really bad, and are quite a bit worse than some of the lower profile teams.

[Neuqua]

Ford: Dashing Through September's Inventory (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2611255)

Da Man From DeKalb
In its 60-year history, the Mid-American Conference has never had a player finish in the top three in Heisman Trophy voting. Randy Moss (27) of Marshall was fourth in 1997, marking the league's high mark.

Garrett Wolfe might change that.

The first thing you need to know about Wolfe's candidacy is the fact that, through five games, nobody in Division I-A history has ever rushed for more than his 1,181 yards. Nobody. The second thing you need to know is that that fact actually appalls Wolfe.

"I don't like it at all," said the well-spoken senior. "I mean, we're talking about Marcus Allen (28) and Barry Sanders (29) (two of the other eight players who have surpassed 1,000 yards in five games). I understand I'm a very talented football player, but I don't think I've done enough to put my name in with them."

Not surprisingly for a guy who's listed at 5-foot-7 and 173 pounds, Wolfe grew up admiring Sanders. He was also a fan of Emmitt Smith, another running back who was once believed to be too small to make it big.
"I was always a big fan of running backs, even though I didn't have the courage to play that position," said Wolfe, a wide receiver at the time. "I thought it was too physical."

His sophomore year of high school, Wolfe was forced into playing running back in a junior varsity game because of injuries. He's never left it since.
The apex of Wolfe's running career was last Saturday, when he ran for 353 yards -- the 13th highest single-game total in I-A history -- on 31 carries on a wet field against Ball State. At least you'd think it was the apex. Not so.

Wolfe said his main goal coming into the season was to grade out at 95 percent or higher in every game on the coaches' film. He graded at 98 percent on each of his first four games this year but was only 96 percent against Ball State.

"I fumbled," Wolfe explained. "That's a no-no. And I also missed a blocking assignment."

Fact is, Wolfe graded out higher against No. 1 Ohio State in the season opener. His 171 yards rushing and 114 receiving against the Buckeyes should be enough to convince Heisman voters that, yes, he can play against the big-name schools, too. He's not just rolling up yards against overmatched MAC defenses.

"Our offensive line coach [Sam Pittman] said this summer, 'You may be doing these things in the MAC, but you're doing it with a MAC offensive line, too,'" Wolfe said. "'If you had USC's offensive line or Ohio State's or Oklahoma's, who knows what you might do?'"

What Wolfe is doing right now is as special as anything ever accomplished by a MAC player. If he keeps going at this pace, there will be no keeping him out of Manhattan for the Heisman award ceremony.
http://espn-ak.starwave.com/photo/2006/1003/ncf_a_wolfe_195.jpg

[watravaler]

He was the best player on the field in the OSU game. He is the real deal, and although he lacks the size to be an every-down back in the NFL, he will help an NFL team assuming he can stay healthy. He deserves the trip to Manhattan at this point in time, without question. Anyone saying otherwise either hasn't taken the time to watch him play or is simply ripping on the school he plays for.

[Neuqua]

And my favorite stat just got all the sweeter:

Northern Illinois RB Garrett Wolfe has set an NCAA record for the most rushing yards gained after five games with 1,181 after tearing off 353 yards on Ball State for an average of 236.2 yards per game. At the moment, he's rushing for more yards per game than all but six teams (Navy, West Virginia, Air Force, Louisville, Connecticut and Clemson) and gained more against the Cardinals than Louisiana Tech, UTEP, Colorado State, Arizona, Ohio, Tulane, Virginia, Temple, Duke and Baylor have come up with all season, and ironically equalled Ball State's season total. In fact, his 353 yards were 66 more than Baylor and Duke combined with nine games between them.

[illinifan999]

Easily one of the best players in the country. I don't care if he plays in the MAC. He gained 100 yards on the ground against OSU @ OSU with a MAC line. He's real.

[k0ruptr]

I agree , hes a the real deal for sure. but will the voters think the same? doubt it

[Neuqua]

I thought this satirical article (http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:wYToJln_QGQJ:community.foxsports.com/blogs/Wiseguy6/2006/10/03/Booster_wishes_he_could_afford_to_buy_car_for_Garrett_Wolfe+%22garrett+wolfe%22&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=23) was outstanding, especially considering it was written by a 15 year old.


Booster Wishes He Could Afford to Buy Car for Wolfe
Frank Ramsay, an influential booster for the Northern Illinois football program, wishes he could afford to buy a car for star running back Garrett Wolfe, who has 1,181 yards so far this season. Ramsay feels that Wolfe, a Heisman candidate, is entitled to the same illegal benefits as his rivals from larger schools.

“This kid is just as good as Ted Ginn or Brady Quinn or any of those other guys,” said Ramsay, who has donated over $500 to the football program over the past few years. “I just wish I could reward him for it by buying him a car or some jewelry or something. Maybe I’ll just let him ‘borrow’ my car for a while, just as a token of my appreciation. I'll just have to remind him that the passenger side door has to be slammed shut real hard and the thing shakes a little when you get it above 50. Aside from that it's pretty dope. ”

Ramsay, an assistant manager at Home Depot and the wealthiest of the six boosters for the Northern Illinois Huskies, often provides illegal benefit to football players in the form of free lunches, discounted Home Depot merchandise, and his wife’s home made brownies. However, Wolfe is not your average Huskie.

“With Garrett, you really want to go above and beyond. He’s really bigger than this school, bigger than this program,” Ramsay said. “The only player that’s even come close to his caliber was [receiver] Justin McCareins a few years ago. I gave him a nice shirt and belt buckle set. Don’t tell the NCAA, though. The last thing we need here at this school is some big national scandal.”

Huge football programs like those at Florida State, Alabama, Michigan, and Notre Dame are supported by wealthy boosters who donate millions of dollars and exert heavy influence over the teams on and off the field. Northern Illinois has a similar booster program, but on a much smaller scale.

“Just like any other school, the boosters are ever present here,” said Huskies coach Joe Novak. “They’re always hanging around. Sometimes they try to influence and intimidate you. One time, this booster told me I should start a freshman who happened to be his nephew, and if I didn’t, I might be ‘looking for another job next year.’ I told him to go to hell. Then I got him in a headlock and held him there until he handed me his wallet, which I pocketed. So you see, it’s not just the big name coaches who are being paid off by boosters.”

Novak is also aware of Frank Ramsay’s attempts to “hook up” Garrett Wolfe, and has advised both parties to avoid such an arrangement. Even the least significant gift can result in a heavy punishment from the NCAA.

“I know Frank means well, but Garrett doesn’t need any gifts, okay?” Novak said. “He’s doing just fine. Eventually he’s going to be in the NFL and he’ll have all the money and gifts he wants. Plus, they can’t afford a car for this kid, so what are they going to give him? A new shirt? Some muffins? Please. Leave the kid alone. He already has a grandmother.”

As for Wolfe, he plans to continue his run of dominance with or without the added incentive of illegal benefits. All he’s worried about are his team, his future, and a certain bronze trophy to be handed out at the end of the year.

“I am very focused right now on helping this team win and securing my own future in the NFL,” said Wolfe, a senior. “I also have a shot at the Heisman. Eventually I’m going to graduate from school and be a famous NFL player and be stinking rich. Then I’ll come back here after I retire and be a big, influential booster. I’ll buy everybody cars and get the best players in the country to come here. We’ll be exactly like the University of Miami, except with a legitimate football team.”

This story is made up, thanks for reading.

[k0ruptr]

WOW he can block too! he just threw a hell of a block on a blitz pick up... games on espn if ya wanna check this little (big) man out

[dervack]

So much for the Heisman talk. With about 13 minutes left in the 3rd against Western Michigan, Wolfe has 10 rushes for 9 yards.

[Joe]

he could still be there especially with Adrian Peterson done for the year

[rowech]

uhmmmmm.....no he can't still be there. And with Leak tanking and Peterson done, it's all but Troy Smith's unless, and perhaps even if, they lose.

[bronconick]

18 carries, 25 yards.

Thanks for playing, Wolfey-poo.

[cartman]

This just shows how cyclical College Football is. If Smith puts up these kind of numbers last season or year before, no way he gets an invite to NY.

[k0ruptr]

Colt Brennan for heisman...

or maybe I should just make a new thread. hmm

[TazFTW]

or maybe I should just make a new thread. hmm

I'd support it. :cool:

[timmynausea]

Maybe they just shouldn't give out a Heisman trophy this year.

[Joe]

17 carries for 45 yards... against Temple...

[Neuqua]

17 carries for 45 yards... against Temple...

They had 9-10 in the box the entire first half, daring QB Phil Horvath to beat them. Horvath had a horrendous game last week and anybody paying attention to NIU football would use the same strategy.

I don't think Wolfe even had a carry in the second half when we were up 40.

[Butter]

James Davis of Clemson had over 100 yards on fewer than 10 carries in the first half alone against Temple.

[cartman]

The dream is now official over. Iowa held Wolfe to 66 yards on 22 carries. That's less than 150 yards total his last three games.