Larry Fitzgerald Web Special

Larry Fitzgerald can most likely kiss his chances at the Heisman goodbye, through no fault of… Larry Fitzgerald can most likely kiss his chances at the Heisman goodbye, through no fault of his own, after the Panthers’ disappointing outing against Miami this weekend.

First gaining national recognition after scoring three touchdowns last season against a then-successful Virginia Tech, Fitzgerald’s name has been in the papers and on the minds of several ESPN experts all year. It’s pretty clear why, when you look at all he’s accomplished this season. People can challenge his talent, but the numbers don’t lie.

Fitzgerald went from having only three games with more than 100 yards last year to having only two games with fewer than 100 this year. Notre Dame was able to hold him to only 79 yards, and during the Miami game, he gained 26. I won’t attribute that to Miami’s defense, though; it was perhaps the fact that Fitzgerald had three receptions and couldn’t have been thrown to more than five times.

Could Pitt have ignored one of its best players any more? It’s out of control, especially after Pitt repeatedly ran the ball for minimal yards. Fitzgerald wasn’t even double-teamed like he has been in the past.

Considered second in the Heisman race for most of the season, Fitzgerald has a total of 1,595 yards from 84 receptions and 22 touchdowns.

But Oklahoma’s quarterback Jason White has been a favorite all season. He has a total of 3,446 yards and 40 touchdowns. His completion percentage is 65.4. So what makes this guy so special?

He’s pretty similar numerically to Rod Rutherford, who has 3,433 yards for 35 touchdowns. Rutherford’s completion percentage is slightly lower, at 59.2, but the similarities are shocking.

I’m forced to ask what’s hurting the Panthers’ chances, especially Fitzgerald’s, at greatness, besides the apparent lack of an offensive line?

The Heisman is flat-out biased. A player’s position, year and school’s record all come into play when choosing who will be awarded the trophy.

Pitt’s record hasn’t been horrible this year, but the losses have been. The team first suffered a 35-31 defeat to Toledo that was both embarrassing and disappointing. The next loss came from the struggling Fighting Irish – the second game the Panthers should have won against them in the past two years. It seemed like things were improving, until West Virginia hosted the Backyard Brawl and dominated a pathetic-looking Pitt, 52-31. Everything was laid on the line for the Miami game, which could have led the school to a Big East Championship, but the Panthers choked under the pressure.

Saturday’s loss has also made me further question Pitt’s coaching staff. The Panthers have a top Heisman candidate on the team, but the ball was hardly thrown to him. Instead, the coaching staff advocated an unsuccessful running game. It was sickening to watch and not worth it in the freezing cold – which also should have aided in the game, considering the ‘Canes are used to sunny coastal climates.

Unfortunately, the team’s record isn’t the only thing holding Fitzgerald back. As a sophomore wide receiver, he would have distinguished himself from the rest yet again. No sophomore has ever won the Heisman, and only three receivers ever have. Tim Brown, Johnny Rodgers and Desmond Howard each earned the honor, but they also returned punts. Senior quarterbacks and top-ten teams tear up the Heisman race. They have in the past and will continue to do so this year when the undefeated White will more than likely claim the trophy for his own.

The Panthers’ only shot at having a player win the Heisman in the next two years is Larry Fitzgerald, unless there is a miraculous regaining of composure in both the defensive and offensive blocking, and it would help if the football actually were to go through the uprights when field goals are attempted.

Whatever the case, Pitt needs to start winning if the Heisman is expected to make a return to Pitt, because the institution is too biased to recognize a player from a non-top-ten team. That’s a real shame when the season’s most talked about player is from the top 25 and his team didn’t even finish first in its conference. It looks like Tony Dorsett’s 1976 Heisman will remain the only one in Pitt’s trophy case for quite some time.

I used to hate hearing this, but Fitzgerald might as well go to the NFL if he has the chance. At least in the NFL, he’d get paid and probably receive a few trips to the Pro Bowl. I would have continued to deny the fact that Fitzgerald should leave if Pitt had won on Saturday, but that didn’t happen. Everyone knows he’s good enough to make it out there, so, Fitzgerald, if you’re reading this, listen to Steve Miller and “take the money and run.” Do me a favor though, and don’t forget about your years at Pitt.

Jackie Hoteck is a staff writer for The Pitt News. Her roommate requests a goodbye kiss from Larry, but Jackie would be satisfied with an autograph or even an e-mail at jsh3@pitt.edu.