Sam Bradford Wins 2008 Heisman Trophy

A year after the Tim Tebow became the first sophomore to ever win the Heisman Trophy, Sam Bradford made it two-for-two for underclassmen.

The Oklahoma quarterback is heading to the BCS national championship game with some added hardware, becoming the fifth Sooner to take home the biggest award in college football.

Bradford led the Oklahoma offense to 60 or more points in five straight games, an NCAA record, and was the leader of the highest-scoring offense in the history of college football.

Along with that, the sophomore quarterback out of Oklahoma City led the nation in touchdown passes (48), passing efficiency (186.3), completions of 25 yards or more (50) and completions of 50 yards or more (9). I'd say that was good enough for the award.

Sooner Snags Heisman Trophy

In the end, Sam Bradford's numbers were too outstanding to ignore. The Oklahoma sophomore beats out fellow quarterbacks Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy to become the 73rd winner of the coveted Heisman Trophy. "I was definitely surprised and I think it's everything I imagined," said Bradford. "I think it will take a couple weeks to set in."

Kelly Kline, AP

Bradford received 1,726 points in Heisman voting while McCoy, left, finished second with 1,604. The candidates got a taste of New York City as they awaited to find out who would be crowned the winner. Click through to see how the candidates stacked up.

Kelly Kline, Getty Images

Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma | Sophomore | The Stat: 60-plus
Why He Won: Bradford led a team that scored in the 60s more than Tiger Woods, including an NCAA record five straight games to finish the season.

Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images

Tim Tebow, QB Florida | Junior | The Stat: 40
Why He Didn't Win: The ghost of Tebow's past may have claimed last year's winner. Tebow had a fine season (40 combined touchdowns), but just not as good as last year (55 combined touchdowns).

Charles Sonnenblick, Getty Images

Colt McCoy, QB Texas | Junior | The Stat: 77.6
Why He Didn't Win: McCoy had accuracy by Rolex, but after the Longhorns' gauntlet of four straight top-11 teams, the junior signal caller faded from view and might have been a victim of publicity.

Brian Bahr, Getty Images

Graham Harrell, QB Texas Tech | Senior | The Stat: 4,747
Why He Didn't Win: Harrell had video game numbers, that is, assuming you're playing the front nine at Augusta. But even with enough yardage to get frequent flyer miles, he couldn't avoid the system quarterback tag or get a mention over McCoy and Bradford.

Ronald Martinez, Getty Images

The award was probably won with Bradford's performance against then No. 2 Texas Tech, when the Oklahoma quarterback went 14-of-19 for 304 yards and four touchdowns.

This was the first time in the history of the Heisman Trophy that no senior was in the top three in voting.

Texas' Colt McCoy and 2007 winner Tebow were the two runner-ups to Bradford in the voting.

After the jump is the video of Bradford leaping the Oklahoma State defense, one of the signature moves of the 2008 college football season. Check the full list of Heisman winners here.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 15)

12-13-2008 @ 9:05PM

soonernise55 said...

Congratulations, Sam! We love our Quarterback! BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!

12-14-2008 @ 10:58AM

dcarter said...

Top 10 Defenses Faced
Tim Tebow 2
Sam Bradford 1
Colt McCoy 0

Top 20 Defenses Faced
Tim Tebow 5
Sam Bradford 1
Colt McCoy 0

Top 50 Defenses Faced
Tim Tebow 10
Sam Bradford 3
Colt McCoy 0

Defenses Ranked Worse than No. 70
Tim Tebow 1
Sam Bradford 8
Colt McCoy 10

Tim Tebow has faced the following defenses (total defense, using rankings as of 11/30):

No. 3 Alabama
No. 4 Tennessee
No. 11 South Carolina
No. 13 FSU
No. 16 Ole Miss
No. 24 Miami
No. 27 Georgia
No. 29 Vanderbilt
No. 37 LSU
No. 38 Kentucky
No. 59 Hawaii
No. 72 Arkansas

Sam Bradford has faced the following defenses
No. 2 TCU
No. 24 Cincinnati
No. 50 Texas
No. 67 Nebraska
No. 71 Texas Tech
No. 85 Oklahoma State
No. 86 Baylor
No. 91 Missouri
No. 96 Kansas
No. 108 Washington
NO. 113 Texas A&M
No. 117 Kansas State

Colt McCoy has faced the following defenses:
No. 66 Oklahoma
No. 71 Texas Tech
No. 72 Arkansas
No. 78 Colorado
No. 85 Oklahoma State
No. 86 Baylor
No. 91 Missouri
No. 96 Kansas
No. 113 Texas A&M
No. 114 Rice
No. 115 UTEP

12-14-2008 @ 2:04PM

Alex said...

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12-13-2008 @ 9:07PM

confused said...

Congrats, Sam! But, how is it that Tim Tebow received the most 1st place votes and still finished 3rd? As confusing as the BCS!

12-13-2008 @ 9:18PM

BigTex84 said...

Because he received fewer votes overall...he didn't receive as many 2nd and 3rd place votes. So, maybe he got more 1st place votes, but on the other ballots that didn't vote him 1st, he wasn't on them at all (not 2nd or 3rd). However, Bradford was 1st, 2nd, or 3rd on more ballots...so he got more points and the trophy.

12-14-2008 @ 5:03AM

Ray Newsom said...

he doesnt deseve it just like the sooners dont deserve to be in the national championship game!!!

12-14-2008 @ 12:40PM

Rocko said...

Newsom, you suck it!

12-15-2008 @ 9:53AM

Kevin said...

It can be confusing, Bradford won because his abundant 2nd place votes:
1st 2nd 3rd total
Bradford, Oklahoma 300 315 196 1726
McCoy, Texas 266 288 230 1604
Tebow, FLorida 309 207 234 1575

12-13-2008 @ 9:10PM

Angela said...

Congratulations Sam!!!

12-13-2008 @ 9:12PM

SISSERS said...

You know what this means? That the Sooners will lose the title game. Its the curse of the Heisman. Let's hope that this year is the year the curse is broken! Im not a Sooner fan, but I hope they kick the crap out of those damn Gators!

12-13-2008 @ 9:41PM

Thomas Weber said...

Not a chance.....GATORS WILL KICK THEIR ---. They will spank the sooners and sen them home to momma.. crying all the way. Then people will say, dang Tibow should have gotten the H/trophy all along.

12-13-2008 @ 9:45PM

john said...

thank u the gators are horrible they dont deserve to play for the national championship. O-H...I-O STATE BUCKEYES!

12-13-2008 @ 10:28PM

funny1nsun said...

You are a moron and your comment proves that. What heisman curse are you referring to? Seems to me that the last player that won the heisman also won the natl championship. Shows you how much u pay attention!!

12-13-2008 @ 11:50PM

Chris said...

funny1nsun, I would refrain from calling people morons, especially when you don't know what you are talking about. A quick check reveals that the 5 out of the last 6 Heisman winners who were in the BCS title game (since 1998) lost. The exception was Leinart and he was NOT the last.

12-13-2008 @ 9:14PM

SC said...

PROUD TO BE A SOONER!!!!!

12-13-2008 @ 10:58PM

Chuck A said...

Booomer!!!!!!!!!!!!

12-13-2008 @ 9:15PM

m said...

THIS LOSER NOT EVEN IN THE FINAL GAME --SEC RULEES COLLEGE FOOTBALLLLLLLL OU WEEK SCHEDULE

Actually, he will play in the championship game...and Florida lost to Ole Miss at home...Oklahoma lost to a ranked Texas team on neutral field...you should do some research and get a dictionary...the word is 'weak' not 'week'...